Angel. Born June 30th.

[Shamas mom]

Had a friend over today. Angel DID bark a lot at first, but I requested a "sit" as I stood in the front hall with her(my friend) and offered peanut butter cookie pieces for the action. Each time she wound up to woof, I got her attention on the cookie. She started instead to look at Shamas for an example of how to react. Shamas is more used to people coming over, and he simply watched me for the next opportunity to earn a reward. Not at all ruffled.

So when I opened the gate to the hall, and handed her the cookies, Angel approached with caution and gladly sat at her request for more cookie pieces.

She barked a bit more when my friend came into the house....but armed with cookies, my friend had her full attention as she sat on the couch.

She joined me outside for smoke breaks, during which each of us took a dog on leash for pee breaks. Angel was too busy sniffing to pee...but I wasn't worried if she peed--she can go up to 8 hours. As long as she was happy.

By the end of the visit, Angel was sleeping in her lap.

 

[Cath]

Great work @Shamas mom

 

[Shamas mom]

How To Crate Train a Puppy: Day, Night, Even If You Work (2025)

The Most Thorough, Step-By-Step Guide on How to Crate Train a Puppy You Can Find. Highly Detailed, Including What to Do at Night and If You Work Full Time.

www.labradortraininghq.com

Reference for crate training steps. There's a possible apartment opening, but the owner's concerned about the dog factor, and potential for damages to his place. He'd feel better if she were crated when left alone.

as it stands, Angel uses the crate to chew, and sleep sometimes...so we're building from that point. I use crates in this house, but I rarely close the doors.

 

[Shamas mom]

So a quick check no status of crate training...Angel ate her dinner quite happily in the crate with the door closed.

It took about 3 minutes to eat the food, and i opened the door for her as I saw her straighten up to lick her lips. I think that makes her 1/2-3/4 crate trained, with the emphasis being not on training her to use it, but training her to stay in it for time frames.

I'll be feeding all meals in the crate from this point onwards. And filling Kongs to use in there too

 

[Shamas mom]

Daughter left at 4:30 am this morning. Angel didn't make a peep til someone got up to use the bathroom at 6:50. This makes me think it's not seperation she's got a problem with, but being left out.



She hollered and fussed when her mistress first went on nights and we tried to make her sleep alone...but she knew we were all in the house and was used to bed-sleeping. After nights of her in distress at being put in the other end of the house, she ended up in our room. Then in our bed. We were against this, worrying that it'd hurt her bond with her mistress...but the behaviorist assured us that it would only make her feel more secure.

I don't know though....there have been times that She called and we didn't...and the dog came to us instead. It's good that she's moving out. Even if I have to go over to take her out to walk when She's got double-shifts...at least the dog can learn to rely on HER for her wants and needs, not the nearest random person(usually me)

 

[Shamas mom]

Angel spent her first night alone without a fuss!

I've been working on her being alone, but it's hard to teach a dog to be alone in a house where people come and go all the time. Especially with Shamas, who can't go more than 3-4 hours without an accident....We've had to come home to let him out.

BUT we have her up to regularly spending up to 3 hours alone in the lving room now, when people go out. I put Shamas in the dining room, so she's not relying on him for comfort...but she can still see him. I usually come home to find her bird-watching, or sleeping on the couch.

Crate training got hung up on the closing of the door. When she realised the door could close if she went all the way in, she started holding one leg out. So I paused for a bit, and continued feeding her in the crate.

We have a deadline on the training now--July 1st. She needs to be crate trained, and able to be left alone by July 1st. The place my eldest is moving to is a 20m walk away, and across the street from a park frequented by dogs, squirrels and birds so it'll be great for her

I'm thinking today I'll work a little more focused on the crate training--have her go in multiple times, for increasing times. I'm aiming for a minute or two without the distraction of the food today.

 

[Lisa]

Sounds like good progress being made!

 

[Shamas mom]

1/2 hour in the crate this morning. Put her in for breakfast, and forgot she was there while I got ready for work. I'll try for 1/2 hour - 45min tomorrow

Must dig out the other crate too....I've been saying "Go crate" and then praising....and now I have the two dogs running in and out of the crate for the praise reward LOL!

"Me too, My turn, I'mma good dog too!"

 

[Shamas mom]

Weighed in at 75.25lbs today. I took Angel for a walk to get Shamas' medication and we weighed her while there.

On the way home, we went over the overpass--something I'd not try with Shamas but figured Angel could probably handle, being socialized early to main roads. She did beautifully on her first pass over a busy bridge. Even stopped to look over the edge Her tail didn't stop wagging, but I noticed about 3/4 of the way over that her neck fur was a bit stand-up-ish...so we took the steps down off the bridge, and we wandered around the side streets the rest of the way home.

It's SO nice having a dog that's been exposed to things! I don't have to worry about her getting scared, only overstimulated!

She DOES tend to cry if we stop at corners, or to talk to people...but I think that's more because walks are exciting and she wants to go again.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Sounds like she’s doing great.

 

[Shamas mom]

She is!

Needs to learn what boundaries are....but as of July 1st, that's her owner's problem, not ours. I have suggested that when/if she gets the second dog for Angel's company(next litter) that she either board n train it, or do the full package which includes coming to the home and laying out ground rules along with teaching manners, boundaries, leash work, recall and socialization on and off-leash.

It's AM's belief that Angel, raised with Shamas, will develop separation anxiety if left alone all night. She wants her to have a housemate to keep her company. I'm not entirely convinced she's wrong-she shows some base tendencies when I leave her outside Tim Hortons. But Shamas is a stabilizing factor there, and she's learned from him to simply lay down and wait. Someone always comes home.

She's showing more independence post-heat. Choosing to sleep alone more often. spending more time in the living room while other people are in the dining room. We think it's a sign of her growing up.

 

[Shamas mom]

Got in some off-leash(sort of, Angel dragged hers because she's terrible to catch) socialization today.

The neighbors have a beautiful dog with a lovely temperament named Katie. She's about Angel's size, but stockier, due to her Rottie collie heritage.

We chose to let loose in our yard, as it's bigger than theirs, and Angel's not got a territorial bone in her body. Had hubby put Shamas in the front of the house for the duration of the 10 minute session.

Once in, we let both free to run, and Angel tried to get in Katie's face. Katie gave a warning woof and refused to play. Once Angel backed off, there was a play bow, and the game was afoot. Each time Angel got rude, Katie called it off. Great rules establishment on her part! I'm very impressed! After 10 minutes, Katie decided she'd had enough, woofed once, and went to the gate. Clear, and polite as she asked for what she wanted.

I moved Angel's lead to her headcollar, told her enough, and we left the yard.

Great session!

This will also give Shamas a chance to sniff out Katie without her being there to be seen later today. Plenty of treats on hand for that training session. She's the one dog next door that he can see without having a meltdown, and the one that we've used in the past for training sessions.

 

[Shamas mom]

Angel has moved on. We have served our purpose, as far as she is concerned.

Our part was to raise a well socialized large dog that our eldest could take with her when she moved out.

We put a lot of work in on her and only I think forgot to get her used to visitors. But that will be remedied in the new place as my daughter's friends drop by.

She's expressed some separation anxiety over there...which is understandable as she moved from a house with 5 people to an apartment with one. The trainer does lifetime support so can be called if needed

2kittens were added today to give her playmates. She was raised in a room with a cat and is doing very well with them. Hopefully she's less lonely with friends there.

She loves her new balcony and enjoys watching the world happen 9floors down. And she's across the street from a park so can do her social butterfly thing
At a year old, she is a good looking dog

 

[Shamas mom]

Angel is doing very well as an apartment dog. She's got an entire park as a back yard, and is making friends. It's generally understood that she's excitable, but very friendly.

She's just gone into her second period, at 14months. That'll put a kink in getting enough exercise....I'm sure there are gads of male dogs in the park who would love to meet her.....

So she's wearing a daiper.

Any management suggestions? Last heat we mostly kept her home...but last heat we had a 1/4 acre back yard to keep her in. Now she has no choice but to go in public

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

That sounds tough! I guess all you really can do is the diaper, always on lead, and boost up the mental stimulation since you can't let her run free at the park. Do you have any friends/relatives with a big back yard where she might be able to visit for a run around?

 

[Shamas mom]

I told her she's welcome to bring her here. But it is a 35minute walk each way, and its going to depend a bit on temperatures. Yesterday I got dizzy every time i went outside...so it would not have been a day to have a dog out for over an hour.

She's doing her walks in the shade of the building, rather than actually taking her places.

 

[Shamas mom]

Angel was brought over for a visit today. She's in Great shape. Hubby thinks she's too thin, but I pointed out that with her Dane heritage, she's a perfect body score.

She and Trixie loved the visit, but Trixie's.....a lot. She goes from 0-300

She basically took one look at Angel, and went OMGIT'S A DOG AND IT'S LIKE MEEEEEEE! pLAY WITH MEEEEE! CHOMP! I EAT YOUR FACE LOL! NOW CHASE! CHOMP!

Needless to say, there was plenty of human intervention involved as Angel laughed, and Trixie tried to eat her face and ears. We ended up putting a gate between them, to let Angel withdraw......and she stuffed herself under the gate, grinning like a clown, and let Trixie chew on her. Then she pulled back, and stood on the gate, so they could both paw each other and she could stand high enough to get a look at the whirlwind.

We left Shamas at the house and took the girls out for a walk together...Angel's in heat, and I didn't want Shams deciding to run down other male dogs over her attentions. He's just interested enough that I was concerned that could be an issue.

I look forward to being able to let the girls loose in the yard, but the way they both play, I want Trixie big enough to withstand a bodycheck. Assuming Angel can get close enough to shoulder her...the kid jumps around like a bunny!

I sent her home with a new bully stick, a pig ear, and a bag of treats

 

[Shamas mom]

Dog sitting today.

Angel's gorgeous, but seems so small beside Trixie lol!

The two of them spent over an hour going ham in the back yard, as it's currently 9C.

I did muzzle them both for the first bit, as things can get a little toothy when they're wound up..but I took them off about 1/2 hour in. Nice even play, with them taking turns chasing, and jumping on each other. They're pretty well-matched. Aside from the muzzle, I don't have them wear anything around each other. I don't want teeth getting caught in collars. So they don't wear collars until I leash them and separate them to calm down

Goodness, she's stocky! Not an ounce of fat on her- she's solid muscle from one end to the other!