ALEX, the Bodeguero cross

[Aitch]

Oh, @Aitch, that brought a tear to my eye, what a lovely thing to read! I knew it might not be easy in the transition, so well done to you for going the distance and helping him feel as secure as he obviously does now. He sounds so relaxed that he's found his place and his people, and that's all I ever wanted for this young man. Thank you so much for giving him the chance and being so patient with him.

This is all down to you @snowbunny If you hadn't made it possible for him to come to us then he might still be in that shelter. You have brought joy to him and us. Thank you.

 

[snowbunny]

Rubbish - without a home for him to go to, he might still be in the shelter. I did my part, sure, but it was a temporary thing, the easy part. What you're doing is for keeps!

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

I love reading your updates on Alex.

 

[Charlie]

Just brilliant, well done everyone who made this happen for Alex xx Good boy Alex xx

 

[Aitch]

Alex is stressed at the moment. One of my sons has separated from his fiancee and children and come home to us. Alex has never met this son before and is struggling with having a stranger living in the house. My son is doing all the right things and being as calming to Alex as he can be and has taken on board that Alex is still settling in but it does mean that Alex is being frenetic and biting me again.
I am spending more time playing calming games and relaxing him. He likes a walk with me on his own when he is like this so that is happening as often as possible. One to one training without the other dogs seems to help too. Poor Alex. Just when he thinks he has his little world sorted out it goes and changes on him.

 

[snowbunny]

Aw, bless him and bless you for being so sensitive to his needs. I'm sure it won't take him too long to settle back down - he's done it once and this is a big change, sure, but to a now familiar environment.

I'm sorry for your son; it must be a very stressful time for everyone.

 

[Beanwood]

Your poor son! Hope he is OK.

It looks like Alex is a resilent chap, and will settle down again in no time. Must be tough on you though too.

 

[Aitch]

My son is very depressed and stressed. I'm just glad he came to us. We are trying to provide him with peace and calm. Poor chap. He already misses his children.

Alex is sleeping in a bathroom at the moment so he is looking for a calm space too. Bless him.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Sounds like a rubbish situation all round. I really hope things settle for all of you and you can support your son as I'm sure you feel you need to do without having the worry of Alex's behaviours to contend with x

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Oh, this sounds tough all around. I hope both your son and Alex can get the peace and calm they need.

 

[Lisa]

Aw that’s tough for everybody. Take care of yourself as you try to help everyone through this tough time.

 

[SwampDonkey]

I hope things start to settle down soon for poor Alex he's such tough resilient boy . I hope things start to improve for your son too, best wishes to them both x

 

[Atemas]

I am sure Alex will settle down in a short time. Hard situation - we had a similar one at the time we got Red - was just another factor to add to my Puppy Blues last year - actually rather a big factor as I was busy with a puppy when I needed/wanted to be doing other things to help. However, everyone got through it (although a lot of tears were shed) and came out happier the other side - hard/impossible to imagine at the time. Hope your son is ok.

 

[Granca]

That’s very tough for you all. I hope Alex settles down soon and that things turn out better for your son too.

 

[Stacia]

I expect Alex is a sensitive should and picking up on your son's sadness and stress and so he gets worried. Hope it settles down very quickly for them both. Is your son's separation a 'blip' or do you think it will be permanent, a worry for you as well.

 

[Aitch]

I expect Alex is a sensitive should and picking up on your son's sadness and stress and so he gets worried. Hope it settles down very quickly for them both. Is your son's separation a 'blip' or do you think it will be permanent, a worry for you as well.

I rather think the split is permanent, sadly. He has had a friend bring all his belongings over and is settling in for the long haul. It's all very painful for him but he will come through it. He knows we love him and would walk on burning coals for him if it would help.

 

[Aitch]

Alex was in full on maul mode this morning. I'm actually very glad it is only me he does it to. I had to put him in another room with a baby gate for a while to calm down for a few minutes. He could see me through the gate so he didn't feel isolated. I then played some calming games with him and he settled down quite nicely. I will take him on several little "boring" walks today and do some one to one training with him. At the moment it does seem as if the poor little chap is back to square one but since we've been there before I have plenty of tools to deal with it this time.

 

[Stacia]

So sorry to read about your son's split, it must be very painful for him.

 

[Aitch]

Alex was cool, calm and collected yesterday but has been a croc again today. I'm not talking nips here, I really thought I was heading to hospital at one point! While he had my entire arm in his mouth for the umpteenth time today I suddenly said "Be calm Alex" for no reason I can think of other than it stopped me screaming. Alex stopped and sat!!!!! Jackpot reward? No, HUGE jackpot reward! I'll be doing that again but I just don't know where he would have learned it. I'm not complaining though.

 

[Stacia]

Maybe it was your tone of voice ?