Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Shylo's Christmas Gift

This is Shylo's favorite place to just hang out and watch whatever is going on. Not today though . . . on this very chilly Christmas morning he lined up with the other three to get a treat and get ready for a walk. He actually walked with the other dogs as if he had been doing it all of his life. We walked partway down the street until he saw a moving car . . . end of walk! But at least he didn't freak out this time, just changed direction and started walking home with all of us in tow.

More presents for me. For the last two days he has been full of enthusiasm running IN and out of the house when I let them all out. When we are outside he is starting to run up to me instead of the other way. Yesterday he picked out a toy to bring outside with him! Who is this not so shy dog?

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Almost a lap dog

Do I need a bigger lap?

Yesterday Shylo actually came over to me and acted like he wanted me to pick him up. (By that I mean he came over and sat at my feet unlike my others who get up on their hind legs and beg to be picked up) I picked him up and put him in my lap and he is quite a lapfull. He is bigger and longer than the others but weighs about the same as Tigger (17 pounds) When he first got into my lap he was still a little tense but after a few minutes he started to relax . . . and then he went to sleep! I wish I had been able to get a picture of him sacked out but of course I was holding him!

My daughter came over today to play with him and the others and we worked on getting him to come in the house voluntarily. (He still does not want to come in from outside). We practiced "coming inside" encouraging him with special treats. He comes in with a little coaxing, takes the treat and goes right back out! It is definitely a work in progress!

Tonight I took him for a short walk on the leash, we went out the front door down the driveway and up past the neighbor's house. Then a car came down our very quiet street. This is the first time he has been out front and seen a car; we then double-timed it back down the hill and up the driveway. He calmed down, did his business, walked up to the front deck and walked right into the house without a moment's hesitation!!! I wonder if it could be the slider that leads to the back deck that is spooking him?

Here is a clip of Shylo (and Mandy who has to be wherever Shylo is) playing with Christie, his favorite human.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Shylo learns what it's like to be a dog


Shylo continues to amaze us with his progress . . . when he first came he wouldn't let anyone touch him. Now he comes up to anyone who comes into the house. The other day he approached a man he had never met; he didn't bark or cower just walked right up to him and asked to be petted along with the other three. Our son, Stephen, said if it were not for those "crooked teeth" he would have thought it was a totally different dog. His personality is really developing, you can see how playful he is in the clip with Mandy. The two of them play constantly and seek each other out. The older dogs mostly supervise the play activity. After tearing around the yard or the house they all settle in for a nap.
Nap Attack!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Shylo's Thanksgiving Surprise

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. This year we had two new members of the family, Shylo and Mandy. We were planning on 16 people for dinner and I was concerned about Shylo. I didn't want him traumatized with all of these people, many of whom he had never met before. I decided to gate him in my studio and explained to everyone that he was shy and would probably run away if approached. He complained a little as he heard more people coming in the door and the number of voices increased along with the volume. Christie went in and spent some time with him; he loves Christie because she spends so much time with him and calls him her little "buddy". Mandy managed to squeeze through the gate and spent a little time with him as well. (Mandy is a real extrovert, the more people the better and she loves them all!) My sister, Gloria, another dog lover went in and sat on the floor and just talked to Shylo. He got close enough to give her a few tentative licks.When we left him alone he did complain and I was starting to feel a little guilty about having such a crowd so soon after he came to us.

Once we got everyone seated around the table and the noise level went down a little, I told everyone I was going to let Shylo join us and for everyone to please ignore him, don't reach out to touch him or try to call him over. He came out of my studio and walked into the sun room (which doubles as a dining room on holidays). He never made a sound! No barking or running away! He just started making the rounds. He was under the table part of the time and came up to people to sniff. He actually approached some and got up on his hind legs to get a better look. What a shock! The rest of the day he was just one of the gang; all four dogs were on their best behavior, what a relief! He really seemed to enjoy his first Thanksgiving with a real family!Everyone agrees that he is a special little guy and we all love his blue eyes.
Christie & Shylo