The broom isn't nearly as scary as the vaccuum, so the process can be closely monitored (and when mom turns her back, Harvey can go lay down on the pile she swept into place). Even Tipper wanted to supervise - from slightly further away.
Tipper is mostly doing great, but as Jessica pointed out in my initial fostering post, it's going to take time. Every time I think we've made amazing strides I discover some new quirk that needs to be addressed. She is as scared of my umbrella as she was of the buses going down the street. So now I'm going to be the crazy lady walking the dog on sunny days with an umbrella in my hand. And she really doesn't like strangers in her house. I mean REALLY. She was truly unhappy when the Comcast guy walked into the house, I'd say scared unhappy because while she growled and woofed, she did so from the safety of the top flight of stairs. Eventually, she went into doggie jail - but not before she peed and pooped on one of my rugs. Sigh.
This is going to make the next few weeks a bit of a challenge. BrownShoe (the boyfried/significant other/whatever) has transfered to San Diego but is going to be in town over the weekend. My current plan is to meet him while we are on our evening walk (he doesn't arrive until late, so the timing works) and have him walk with us for the last 15 minutes or so - she's fine with strangers outside. There will be lots of treats, too. That way, by the time we get to the house, he's not a stranger any more. Does that make sense?
And on a positive note...how can you resist this cuteness?
I think that's an awesome plan for the newcomer :) I can only think to add that if she does freak out at him in the house he should make sure to let her manage her space (if she thinks he doesn't understand her clearly begging him to go away and not come closer, it will ratchet up her anxiety). Manage with crating and gates and things. My dog flipped a nutty at a blowing plastic bag on our walk last night, I'm pretty sure she thought it was going to follow us home and kill us in our sleep!
Posted by: Jessica | June 06, 2013 at 10:55 PM