Conky (BRLA's Charlotte) Update

Hi guys,

 

It's been a few months since I've had Conky with me and she is such a joy! She comes to work with me every day and loves meeting all the puppies and adores our 3 clinic cats. She loves our kitties at home too but unfortunetly they aren't as accepting of her kisses and play invitations as the cats at work.  She had a big accident at the end of June, my first day of holidays I was in the kitchen getting the house ready so we could fly to Nova Scotia that night and somehow Conky managed to break a window in the sunroom. I can only assume she scratched the window while watching a squirrel and the old glass just shattered. She sliced her leg open pretty good. Severed a vein. Luckily, I called my boss and she came and picked us up and took us back to the clinic to get her fixed up. She was not too happy to spend her holidays with a cone on her head. 

My boyfriend and I also decided before we got her that she would not be allowed to sleep on the bed. It was going well until there was a big thunderstorm one night and we heard her sneak upstairs and stand there waiting for an invitation. She has been sleeping with us at night ever since. 

I thought I would just send a couple of pictures of her at work, she is currently helping us take care of two orphan kittens. She likes to give them baths after mealtimes and she also cleans their bums and they pee and poop all over her but she loves it!

Hope all is well with you and the rescue and if any of you are ever in Calgary please stop by and see our little Conkaroo!

 

Natasha Ziabek 

KATO WBBR ALUMNI

Morning!  7:00 here in Fort McMurray!

 

Kota had a terrific night.  One little cry but then settled for the night!  We all got up about 6:00 and the boys went out in the yard to do their business. They came in and had some breakfast and have been following each other around with their little nubs just a goin'!! At one point it looked like Titan wanted to box but Mom thought it was a little too early in the day to start that nonsense lol.

 

Kota was so cute last night.  We have a screened in deck and he could see our neighbor across the fence.  He let out a big boy bark (which Titan never does lol) and then came in and laid at my feet.  I guess he just wanted to let me know that he was on top of things.

 

Max is currently lunched out in his crate.  Kota and Titan are checking out the view from the front window and am sitting having a very relaxing coffee just watching my boys.

 

Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity.

Lori

Locksey BRLA/WBBR Alumni update

 Locksey is getting along great, we lover her so much. We should 
send you some pictures. She is a great for cuddling and seams to 
 be happy :)

LEASH AND COLLAR DRIVE UPDATE

We received our first leash and collar drive donation!!!  So the drive is officially in full swing now with money in the account.  So far though there's only enough to cover about 1 collar and leash so please consider donating, every dollar counts!!!!

Thank you!

Harlan Donation $25.00

Dexter WBBR/BRLA Alumni

> Things are going fairly well with Dexter. We are still working 
> on getting him and our cat to get along. My cats instinct is to 
> run every time she sees Dexter and this causes Dexter to chase her.
> I have contacted Bark Busters who specialize in training dogs 
> (not sure if you have heard anything about them). I am hoping 
> that they can help us with this problem.
> 
> Overall I am pleasantly surprised with how well Dexter is 
> behaving and has adjusted to his new life. He does have some 
> issues with separation anxiety.

We'd like to Congratulate our Hard Working Families

We all dream of the day that our new addition will arrive and just fit in to our family as if they have always been there.  Sometimes this happens, more often then not it doesn't.  Bringing a new rescue dog home can be work in the beginning, setting boundaries, rules, house training, obedience training, working through issues with current pets etc.  If done properly the first 6+ months might be work but from this work you will have a better/stronger bond with your new addition along with a dog who you can enjoy for years to come!

I am including an email below from one of our adoptive families and the correspondence from the rescue with them.  Real names have not been used but changed to generic ones.  

The reason I am posting this to the blog is to Congratulate all our families like this family who are having a hard go with their new addition but are giving it 110% and are determined to make it work!  We want to thank all of you for giving your new addition every chance they can have!

Chantelle

I don't know how to tell you this but I think Coco is going to have to
come back to you.  We are just heart broken.  We all really love her and so
does our boxer.  The fight that started it has progressively gotten worse.  It
stopped for about two months and when she got through her depressed cycle,
she came out of her shell.  The two of them are going for dominance and it
has gone from one every couple of days to one a day.  Today we have had five
and now our boxer is at the vets.  She also is aggressive to other dogs at the
dog runs.  We have had her to the vet and she gave us some reading material
and how to go about helping them through it.  I thought she was the one that
should have been the dominant one but reading through the literature,
our boxer has been showing signs since she came and I just never picked up on
them.  We all figured it was jealousy or puppy behavior to her.  When they
are separated, our boxer cries.  He just loves her.  The play they have it an
absolute riot.  You just can't help but laugh.  You know when the fights are
starting.  She has an awful "kill" look she gives him and he has picked up
on it.  So the fight starts.  She definitely does not like the idea of him
being dominant.  HELP  Any ideas would help.

Owners of a rescued boxer

Hi Owners of a rescued boxer,

 

I'm so sorry to hear that Coco and your boxer are not getting along.  

 

The No Free Lunch for both of them will help (attached below).  If you wish to keep them both I would strongly recommend working with a bahavioural trainer.  Not a sit, down, heel trainer but one that works with behavioural issues.  The reason I am sending you the no free lunch info is that both dogs need to understand first hand who is the dominate one in the house and that is the two of you.  It is never up to the dog to decide when to take out the other dog in the home etc. as they are not pack leader and only pack leaders can make decisions like that.  They need to understand that you are pack leader and they are the followers.  It will take some work to have them live together in harmony but can be done.  It will be harder because they are fighting so much now but the first step is to start with letting them know who is in charge and that is not them but you.  If you feel it will be to much and want to surrender her back to us we need some time to organize.  

 

This seems to be a common email that we have been sending out to new families over the last couple of weeks with their new boxers or boxers who have been in their home for some time.  Please remember boxers are a more dominant breed and it is important to deal with them as such.  Please read over the following and decide how you will put the advice in to practice to help with a smoother transition in to your new home.  For some dogs this whole approach is not fully needed but it's good to take pieces of this and remember it.

 

The best way to describe what your boxer needs is "NO FREE LUNCH".  I strongly suggest the entire family start a training program with your new boxer.  A training class not only will help with basic obedience but also to help build the bond and pack order that every family needs with their new addition.  Please research your trainers well, ask your vet, rescue volunteer etc. for recommendations.  I would highly recommend reading Cesar Milan's books, Cesar's Way and Being Your Dog's Pack Leader.  Both books are well worth their weight in gold and will give you a lot of insight.

Your boxer needs to know where she belongs in the pack and that is at the bottom.  She needs rules, boundaries and structure.  She needs to work for everything and receive no free anything (affection, treats etc).

She should be crated at all times in the beginning unless an adult is present to watch her behaviour and actions.  This is not a punishment but just a safety measure.  This will help with house training and also teaching your new addition boundaries and house rules.

If crating is an issue then start feeding her in it, throw cookies in etc.  Get her going in on her own, everytime she goes in attach a word, house, crate etc. to it.  So that she learns the word/command to the crate.  Praise her when she is in it.  For more advice on crate training please ask.

When out she is in work mode, there's no free time for her.  Although the kennel is not the best place it is very structured.  You wake up, some one brings you food, you are taken out, you are brought food, you go out again and you go to bed.  Not much time to think for yourself and that is something your new boxer should continue not to be allowed to do.  To live in a structured world for so long and then be allowed so much freedom can be very overwhelming.

Structure her day, out of the crate for a bathroom break, breakfast back in you crate.  Out of crate for a walk and work time, back in crate.  Out of crate for some free time with mom in the livingroom (during this time she should not be given free run of the house) back in crate etc.

Touch equals praise to a dog so make sure if she is growling, barking etc. you are not touching her.  Touching her to try and quiet her or soothe her is actually telling her it's okay, good girl, this is a situation you should be barking in or a person you should be growling at.  Keep a leash on her and if she is barking, growling anything like that you have the leash to pull on not the collar because grabbing the collar causes you to touch her neck.

Praise only when she has done something you have asked her.  Dogs love our praise so use it to your advantage, it's a big power that you have.  She works for all attention, food etc.  If you want to stroke her it's on your terms.  Call her to you, stroke her.  Make her sit, stroke her etc. etc. She needs to work for it.  Make her sit for her dinner etc. etc.

When out on a walk she is not allowed to walk out in front.  Leaders walk out in front, followers follow.  This is harder then it sounds, I know that but she needs to learn to heal and stay with you or behind you.  Once she understands her place in the pack being allowed to walk out in front is different but if she does not understand this position allowing her to walk out in front can only add to her thought that she is the queen.  She can have a "free" walk but only when you allow it and not when the dog thinks it's time.

Please make sure not to "baby" your new addition, that is the last thing she needs at this time. She needs a lot of structure, rules and boundaries.  She needs to know her place in the pack and these all need to be set before you can relax and allow her the free run that she deserves but must earn.

Chantelle

 

Thanks for your help.  I also agree.  We do not want to give her up.  We are all very attached to her.  Even our boxer is.  When they were not fighting, they were playing or kissing.  They shared the couch too.  One on each end.  I think part of the problem is the mothering and our boxer is getting to the growing up stage but he is still irritating to her and us at times.  She picks up on that.  They spend their time apart now and she isn’t eating well.  They usually share a dish of food together even the day of the many fights.  I think they miss the contact.  I have found them looking at each other with wagging tails and then re thinking it.  They started eating together themselves.  I understand that is not the usual thing.  We do give them two bowls but they always eat together.

 

I have talked to our boxers trainer.  She is an area dog trainer and believes the same things as you do.  She is very good and has asked me to bring Coco in tomorrow and she is going to help with us and work to better the situation.  You are right.  It is a matter of control.  Us and not them.  So it starts.  She has some commands but is very stubborn and I have been re-enforcing them. 

 

I will get a copy of that book and get to work.  We are determined to fix this.

 

Owners of a rescued boxer

Dino Update WBBR/BRLA Alumni

Hey Everybody,

 

Josh and Lara here giving you an update on Dino, our 4 year old male Boxer we adopted. He’s great!!! When we first got him from the airport in Edmonton he was one happy guy to get out of his crate. To be honest he hasn’t been in it since. We have tried to put him in there a few times but the poor little guy just doesn’t want anything to do with it anymore. I think he’s just afraid of losing us and getting shipped around again. We have another kennel that is the open grate style we will try in a few more weeks when he is a little more settled in. His attitude is great! For the first week he showed no interest in toys, treats and barley even ate for that matter. He still had the happy attitude and showed all kinds of love.

 

Well it’s been just over two weeks now and he is back to his Boxer self. We have him on different food now; an organic brand locally made and his fondness for toys and appetite for treats have returned. What a great dog! The rescue society did an amazing job matching Lara and I to Dino. For the first while we never put any pressure on him to learn anything new… but now he’s quickly re-learning his favorite new tricks and polishing up on leash ethics. He’s been coming on hikes into the mountains on fishing trips and does great! Once we reach our destination he just lays back and enjoys the sun.

 

He is great with other dogs, he has an affinity for small white breeds but by no means is aggressive… a little forthcoming but not mean. He’s made friends with Buddy, Amigo, Princes, Scooby Doo, Ortice and Razor… other dog friends and he sure enjoys their company.

 

He starts obedience class in a few weeks. The winters up here in Northern Canada can be extremely cold so we are planning on turning the basement (unfinished) into a dog agility playground. Lara is busy planning everything already. This should keep his mind busy and body healthy when it’s just too cold for him to go outside for prolonged periods.

 

We are so happy to have Dino come into our lives. Our hearts go out to all the volunteers who devote themselves to saving this most amazing breed.

 

Dino is one happy guy!!!!!

 

-Josh and Lara.

LEASH AND COLLAR DRIVE

Leash and Collar Drive for the BRLA Shelter Dogs

When you're a dog at the shelter you don't have much to look forward to.  The excit ement of your day is when the volunteer walkers come to your run to take you for a walk around the block.  While out on that walk you get exercise, a chance to play and some much needed love and attention that you so lack waiting for your new family to take you home.  Leashes and training collars sound like such a basic item but for the shelter they are of top priority and something they are always in need of.  Without Borders is running a leash and collar drive till Sept. 30th 2008 to help raise funds so that we can donate much needed new leashes and training collars to the shelter for the volunteer walkers to use each and every day to walk the waiting boxer babies.  Please donate whatever you can, even $1.00 will help us towards our goal.

Our Goal is 20 New 6 foot leashes and 20 new training collars!  Check our blog to keep track of how many leashes and collars we have purchased!

To donate please visit our website, we accept donations through Paypal or email us for other options:

http://www.rescueaboxer.ca/Medical_Help_Reqd.html

NO FREE LUNCH, bringing your new boxer home

Hi Everyone!

This seems to be a common email that we have been sending out to new families over the last couple of weeks with their new boxers or boxers who have been in their home for some time.  Please remember boxers are a more dominant breed and it is important to deal with them as such.  Please read over the following and decide how you will put the advice in to practice to help with a smoother transition in to your new home.  For some dogs this whole approach is not fully needed but it's good to take pieces of this and remember it.

The best way to describe what your boxer needs is "NO FREE LUNCH".  I strongly suggest the entire family start a training program with your new boxer.  A training class not only will help with basic obedience but also to help build the bond and pack order that every family needs with their new addition.  Please research your trainers well, ask your vet, rescue volunteer etc. for recommendations.  I would highly recommend reading Cesar Milan's books, Cesar's Way and Being Your Dog's Pack Leader.  Both books are well worth their weight in gold and will give you a lot of insight.

Your boxer needs to know where she belongs in the pack and that is at the bottom.  She needs rules, boundaries and structure.  She needs to work for everything and receive no free anything (affection, treats etc).

She should be crated at all times in the beginning unless an adult is present to watch her behaviour and actions.  This is not a punishment but just a safety measure.  This will help with house training and also teaching your new addition boundaries and house rules.

If crating is an issue then start feeding her in it, throw cookies in etc.  Get her going in on her own, everytime she goes in attach a word, house, crate etc. to it.  So that she learns the word/command to the crate.  Praise her when she is in it.  For more advice on crate training please ask.

When out she is in work mode, there's no free time for her.  Although the kennel is not the best place it is very structured.  You wake up, some one brings you food, you are taken out, you are brought food, you go out again and you go to bed.  Not much time to think for yourself and that is something your new boxer should continue not to be allowed to do.  To live in a structured world for so long and then be allowed so much freedom can be very overwhelming.

Structure her day, out of the crate for a bathroom break, breakfast back in you crate.  Out of crate for a walk and work time, back in crate.  Out of crate for some free time with mom in the livingroom (during this time she should not be given free run of the house) back in crate etc.

Touch equals praise to a dog so make sure if she is growling, barking etc. you are not touching her.  Touching her to try and quiet her or soothe her is actually telling her it's okay, good girl, this is a situation you should be barking in or a person you should be growling at.  Keep a leash on her and if she is barking, growling anything like that you have the leash to pull on not the collar because grabbing the collar causes you to touch her neck.

Praise only when she has done something you have asked her.  Dogs love our praise so use it to your advantage, it's a big power that you have.  She works for all attention, food etc.  If you want to stroke her it's on your terms.  Call her to you, stroke her.  Make her sit, stroke her etc. etc. She needs to work for it.  Make her sit for her dinner etc. etc.

When out on a walk she is not allowed to walk out in front.  Leaders walk out in front, followers follow.  This is harder then it sounds, I know that but she needs to learn to heal and stay with you or behind you.  Once she understands her place in the pack being allowed to walk out in front is different but if she does not understand this position allowing her to walk out in front can only add to her thought that she is the queen.  She can have a "free" walk but only when you allow it and not when the dog thinks it's time.

Please make sure not to "baby" your new addition, that is the last thing she needs at this time. She needs a lot of structure, rules and boundaries.  She needs to know her place in the pack and these all need to be set before you can relax and allow her the free run that she deserves but must earn.