Gracie News

Gracie's_Mom · 10-14-2006, 07:48 AM

Hello everyone!

I know I have gone for some time. I have been very busy. I am working about 50 to 60 hours a week now. Maybe when work slows down and I slow down I will be on here more.

First of all I taught Gracie a new trick. This one is kinda stupid but means so much to me. I can now get her to lay down and roll over all the way onto her back. With her legs sticking up. She is afraid to do it with anyone else but me.That is how her past owners would tie her up. They would put her on her back and grab her legs and tie them up. So I finally got her to roll over on her back and I can play with her legs. I pet them and move them around. I was so proud of her when she did it on command I started to cry.

This is one of the things I have been working on since day one with her. After 2 years she will just now do it.

We also went over to my brothers house last week, we were talking about getting her nails clipped again. I told him I hate getting it done because she freaks out. So he told me that he clips Ginger's nails (his dog) all the time. So I figured okay, Gracie knows him and trusts him no big deal. I was way wrong. I asked her to shake so she did and I was showing him her nails. He pulled her paw out of my hand to look and she freaked. She started shaking and pulling away and then when she got her paw loose she ran away and tried to hide. So I called her back over and told me brother to ask her to shake. He did and she put up her paw. We decided not to clip her nails because there wasn't enough people there to hold her down.

Also I am on new medication which gives me more energy then I know what to do with. So I get home from work and change, go outside with Gracie and run around the yard with her. We also play tag a lot now. We run around the table on the deck and I touch her and say you're it. So I run around the table until she tags me with her nose. So them I chase her around the table and yard. She gets so excited about this game.

She has also had an accident in the house once again. This time it was only pee. It happened early this week when we were getting a lot of rain. I took her out when I woke up and she wouldn't leave from under the over hang of the house. So I tried throwing a few toys out in the yard, a stick, a ball. Everything. She just kept giving me a look of "Well go get it you idiot, it's wet out there, I will melt." So she came back in a went potty in the house.

Thank God we are getting new carpet within the next couple of weeks.

Pictures, I have some on my camera if I knew where I left my camera I would gett he pictures off of them. I take it into work a lot to show of my girl so I might have left it there or at my mother in laws or my brothers or some where.

**Ann** · 10-14-2006, 08:13 AM

She must have really been abused to take so long to trust you . keep working you have her trust now. excelent work.

**Lexus** · 10-14-2006, 08:50 AM

HI YOU!!!! I was just inquiring about you in the shoutbox!!! That's amazing news about Gracie's newest trick!!

Glad to hear you are well, although working TOOOOO MUCH! We miss you around here.

BTW, it is about time for new Gracie pictures too! You're not going to get off that easy

Gracie's_Mom · 10-14-2006, 09:14 AM

Yea I know. I did find my camera I just have to go get it today. While I am out and about I will swing by and get it. So maybe tonight or tomorrow when I get home from work I will post new pics.

frznbuns · 10-14-2006, 09:27 AM

Oh that is great! She is starting to put her full trust in you! Keep up the good work!

Codysmom · 10-14-2006, 04:00 PM

GM that is wonderful news about Gracie. even those little milestones are really HUGE with a rescue.

Molly totally freaks when we do her nails (actually they have never all all been compeltely done at the same time) If jason tries to hold her she fights even more.

she got some anti histamines today at the vet, that have just knocked her out, and she has been walked and we played a while in the yard too, so I am thinking about giving them another go. I can't tell which she hates more the dremel or the clipper.

But congratulations to you and to Gracie. She is such a little gem, and I hope you are giving yourself a big hugg for doing such a great job with her.

cc

**brumwolf** · 10-14-2006, 04:16 PM

Hi GM it's good to hear from you,we all needed some Gracie news.

crxman321 · 10-14-2006, 07:31 PM

Glad to Hear from You!! Lets see some Gracie Pix

Gracie's_Mom · 10-15-2006, 06:02 AM

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome back. Today when I get home from work I will take a few more pictures. Then I will post some pictures of my sleepy girl.

Did I ever tell all of you that she gets a little upset if you wake her up before 8am? I just woke her up to go outside and she lets out this growl kinda noise. It isn't a growl it's more of a tired but has to go potty noise. It's so funny.

JavasMom · 10-15-2006, 09:51 AM

Java lets out that same little growl when she's tired. It's not an aggressive sound it's more like a 'do I HAVE to get up NOW??' growl/moan/sigh. Must be a Dobe thing!

I can appreciate that rescues have to be treated with extra care, and changes progress in baby steps. Forcing scarey things on animals (or children) only sets things back. Have you considered trying to get Gracie used to a Dremel (sp?) tool. My hubby uses the sanding wheel on Java. Our breeder had started using the tool on the pups, and when Java came home, he would set her in his lap hold the running tool in his hand and feed her bits of treats with the other and praise her. Nothing was forced, and mind you, she had been exposed to the drill from day one. Now when she sees the Dremel case come out, Java runs over, scoots back toward hubby's lap, flops herself down, leans back and enjoys her mani/pedi. You would think she had a spa appointment! I started out buying dehydrated lamb lung treats (@ WalMart), and Java would only get these treats as a special reward for having her nails done.