RESCUED ANIMALS
Animal Rescue Blog
We are active in animal rescue and need a space to discuss all of rescues and their progress.
We are active in animal rescue and need a space to discuss all of rescues and their progress.
Dog of the Week: Heaven
Hi there! I am Heaven! And yep, you will think I am Heaven when you meet me! All the volunteers think I am sweet as can be! I love playing with everyone! Well… except they tell me I can’t play with a cat. I am smart and looking for my forever home. I had heart worm when I came to Iowa but after a few long months my treatment is complete and I can’t wait to get out for some exercise and play. I will be available for adoption in just a few short weeks because I still need to be spayed. I am a well behaved girl who is potty trained, crate trained, and knows basic commands.
Hi there! I am Heaven! And yep, you will think I am Heaven when you meet me! All the volunteers think I am sweet as can be! I love playing with everyone! Well… except they tell me I can’t play with a cat. I am smart and looking for my forever home. I had heart worm when I came to Iowa but after a few long months my treatment is complete and I can’t wait to get out for some exercise and play. I will be available for adoption in just a few short weeks because I still need to be spayed. I am a well behaved girl who is potty trained, crate trained, and knows basic commands.
It's been forever since I've posted about the trials and
tribulations of adopting rescued animals but things have improved so
much that I feel compelled to set poor Capone's record straight. Capone
still growls at me but now it is less of a teeth bared growl and more
of a complaining growl. I say he is "talking" kind complaining that I
am picking him up or putting my fingers in his mouth - but no longer the
teeth baring fear deal. I train him every morning for 10-15 minutes
and we click treat and everytime I can pet, pickup or put my fingers in
his mouth. Now he is completely growl free if I have treats and a
"complaining" growl if I don't have treats. He is also much more
affectionate. He sometimes still goes after Gizzer but they have worked
out a truce and Gizmo is more free to be himself.
It's been forever since I've posted about the trials and
tribulations of adopting rescued animals but things have improved so
much that I feel compelled to set poor Capone's record straight. Capone
still growls at me but now it is less of a teeth bared growl and more
of a complaining growl. I say he is "talking" kind complaining that I
am picking him up or putting my fingers in his mouth - but no longer the
teeth baring fear deal. I train him every morning for 10-15 minutes
and we click treat and everytime I can pet, pickup or put my fingers in
his mouth. Now he is completely growl free if I have treats and a
"complaining" growl if I don't have treats. He is also much more
affectionate. He sometimes still goes after Gizzer but they have worked
out a truce and Gizmo is more free to be himself.
Doggie Update:
Capone and Gizmo have been getting along fine. We watch them very,
very closely now when it comes to food and toys and there doesn't seem
to be a problem. We'll always have to be aware of the fact that Capone
is food and toy/play possessive. I've nested Gizzer in the bed before I
leave for work and he looks so content and happy. I always leave
animal planet on for them but Judge Wapner is on when I leave which I
find annoying - hopefully there is better programming on while I am
away. Gizmo likes to watch T.V. especially if there are dog shows, dog
agility or puppies on. Capone was brought back into line about not
growling at me by me treating him again -- we get to be best buddies
when I have treats and then for a few days afterwards.
Kitty Update:
Isabel and Tyler (senior kitties) went to the vet and they each lost
1 lb. over the year - that scared me but their bloodwork came back
fine. We'll be switching all of our senior kitties to KD prescription
diet to prevent kidney disease. Tyler, Sebastian and Jonathan will get
their teeth cleaned on 12/19 - they have to be under anethesia for that
so I will be a wreck. While they are at the vet - I'll get my teeth
cleaned too - what the heck. It will cost $140.00 for me and $90 a
piece for them - quite an expensive day.
Doggie Update:
Capone and Gizmo have been getting along fine. We watch them very, very closely now when it comes to food and toys and there doesn't seem to be a problem. We'll always have to be aware of the fact that Capone is food and toy/play possessive. I've nested Gizzer in the bed before I leave for work and he looks so content and happy. I always leave animal planet on for them but Judge Wapner is on when I leave which I find annoying - hopefully there is better programming on while I am away. Gizmo likes to watch T.V. especially if there are dog shows, dog agility or puppies on. Capone was brought back into line about not growling at me by me treating him again -- we get to be best buddies when I have treats and then for a few days afterwards.
Kitty Update:
Isabel and Tyler (senior kitties) went to the vet and they each lost 1 lb. over the year - that scared me but their bloodwork came back fine. We'll be switching all of our senior kitties to KD prescription diet to prevent kidney disease. Tyler, Sebastian and Jonathan will get their teeth cleaned on 12/19 - they have to be under anethesia for that so I will be a wreck. While they are at the vet - I'll get my teeth cleaned too - what the heck. It will cost $140.00 for me and $90 a piece for them - quite an expensive day.
No fights last night which is a blessing. Capone wanted to chase
the cats but I held him on a leash so he could not - he barked like a
madman but tough noogies. My husband had to be at work at 4:00 AM so I
was up with the dogs then to control Capone. Capone misbehaves badly
when Guy is getting ready for work - he chases cats, scratches at doors,
eats kleenex or Q-tips from the bathroom garbage - anything and
everything to get attention from Guy. Sadly, it takes Guy 2-3 hours to
get out of the house in the morning - he is not a morning person and it
takes him hours to wake up. This means Capone is a mess for that long -
I've got to train one or the other of them because I am going slowly
insane from lack of sleep.
Once Guy leaves - Capone jumps up on the bed and sleeps. No more
cat chasing - nothing - just a big sigh and a nap. Gizzer just sleeps
through it all, one morning this week I got Gizzer all settled in the
bed and when I left for work Gizzer was still in bed sleeping. Our bed
is high and the dogs can't get up on the bed without help so I could
tell that Gizzer did not want to get down yet because he knows he can't
get back up until we are home. We have a dog walker who comes to our
house every lunch time when we are at work.
No fights last night which is a blessing. Capone wanted to chase
the cats but I held him on a leash so he could not - he barked like a
madman but tough noogies. My husband had to be at work at 4:00 AM so I
was up with the dogs then to control Capone. Capone misbehaves badly
when Guy is getting ready for work - he chases cats, scratches at doors,
eats kleenex or Q-tips from the bathroom garbage - anything and
everything to get attention from Guy. Sadly, it takes Guy 2-3 hours to
get out of the house in the morning - he is not a morning person and it
takes him hours to wake up. This means Capone is a mess for that long -
I've got to train one or the other of them because I am going slowly
insane from lack of sleep.
Once Guy leaves - Capone jumps up on the bed and sleeps. No more cat chasing - nothing - just a big sigh and a nap. Gizzer just sleeps through it all, one morning this week I got Gizzer all settled in the bed and when I left for work Gizzer was still in bed sleeping. Our bed is high and the dogs can't get up on the bed without help so I could tell that Gizzer did not want to get down yet because he knows he can't get back up until we are home. We have a dog walker who comes to our house every lunch time when we are at work.
Once Guy leaves - Capone jumps up on the bed and sleeps. No more cat chasing - nothing - just a big sigh and a nap. Gizzer just sleeps through it all, one morning this week I got Gizzer all settled in the bed and when I left for work Gizzer was still in bed sleeping. Our bed is high and the dogs can't get up on the bed without help so I could tell that Gizzer did not want to get down yet because he knows he can't get back up until we are home. We have a dog walker who comes to our house every lunch time when we are at work.
I hate to start out my journal this way (that and posting
yesterday's post twice.) It's very disconcerting. We adopted Capone (a
shih tzu mix) in September and last night he bit our submissive dog,
Gizmo. There was blood.
I almost fainted. Gizzer is the sweetest, most tender-hearted dog
in the world (but he has his problems too) and Capone was mad at him
because I was giving Gizmo attention and we were playing with a squeek
toy. Capone has gone after Gizzer 3 or 4 times when he has been playing
with us and we've always been able to intercede but this type Gizzer
got bitten. It was a small bite and even after an hour of sifting
through his fur we couldn't find the scratch - I reached for where
Gizzer was bitten right after the bite and there was blood on my hand.
Capone wants to be the alpha - he wants to be the alpha over me and
Gizmo.
It's going to take alot of training to get Capone to be a "good
citizen" and alot of training to keep up Gizmo's spirits now that he is
living with a tyrant. Well, welcome to the world of rescues. In
addition, the literature and studies about aggressive dogs seem to say
contracting things. One approach says: use a prong collar/hold them
down/don't allow them on the furniture/show them whose boss! The other
approach says: never hold them down, use humane collars only and allow
them on the furniture as a reward for good behavior. I have to admit
that I am in the kinder/gentler camp of dog training. That may be
because I am training Shih Tzus not Dobermans and it is easier to
control Shih Tzus by just picking them up when they get out of line -
you can't do that with a Doberman or Saint Bernard. They usually
employ muzzles and prong collars on larger breeds but even then I think
the gentler approaches are better.
We rescued Gizmo in 1998 and he's been super. We added Capone to
our home in September of 2002 and he's struggled a bit. I'll add his
rescue journal to this page over time. Capone has aggression problems
with me and Gizmo but he loves my husband, Guy. Guy, however, has no
interest in formal dog training and feels that a little love and
understanding will overcome all of Capone's problems. While I agree - I
disagree that love and understanding does not include a solid dose of
dog training. So it's up to me. Did I mention that prior to 1998 - my
husband and I only rescued cats - ahhhh they were so much easier in
hind's sight. We've had a few doosy cat fights too so there were still
challenges.
Capone seems to growl, snap and bite in the following situations:
- When Gizmo and I are playing fetch and not including him
- When Gizmo comes in from the back yard and is all excited and wiggley
- When Gizmo is running in the park (off leash) and Capone is on leash
- When Gizmo trys to get picked up (and get my attention) especially when Gizzer wants to get on the bed
Last night Gizzer let out a sad yelp and I knew he was hurt. One
thing in Capone's favor is that he has a tooth that sticks out at an odd
angle so there is a slight chance that while Capone was growling and
snarling at Gizmo and Gizzer got knicked by the wayward tooth by
accident. Growling, snarling and biting will not be tolerated so thank
goodness I am home from 12/18 through 12/31. These dogs are going to
get quite an obedience crash course.
Right away we chastised Capone and kept him off the bed. Gizmo got
to be on the bed (you could tell he loved the attention). Capone slept
underneath the bed in a pout for almost an hour and then he started
begging for attention. We ignored him for awhile longer and when I
allowed him on the bed Capone was very submissive. I work up at 3:00 in
the morning and Capone and Gizzer were sleeping next to one another.
In the morning, Capone lunged at Gizzer again when they were coming in
from going potty outside. No damage to Gizmo this time.
I'll keep you posted. Our plan is to keep Capone on a leash around
Gizmo - especially when Gizzer is playing so we can reel them in.
I hate to start out my journal this way (that and posting
yesterday's post twice.) It's very disconcerting. We adopted Capone (a
shih tzu mix) in September and last night he bit our submissive dog,
Gizmo. There was blood.
I almost fainted. Gizzer is the sweetest, most tender-hearted dog in the world (but he has his problems too) and Capone was mad at him because I was giving Gizmo attention and we were playing with a squeek toy. Capone has gone after Gizzer 3 or 4 times when he has been playing with us and we've always been able to intercede but this type Gizzer got bitten. It was a small bite and even after an hour of sifting through his fur we couldn't find the scratch - I reached for where Gizzer was bitten right after the bite and there was blood on my hand. Capone wants to be the alpha - he wants to be the alpha over me and Gizmo.
It's going to take alot of training to get Capone to be a "good citizen" and alot of training to keep up Gizmo's spirits now that he is living with a tyrant. Well, welcome to the world of rescues. In addition, the literature and studies about aggressive dogs seem to say contracting things. One approach says: use a prong collar/hold them down/don't allow them on the furniture/show them whose boss! The other approach says: never hold them down, use humane collars only and allow them on the furniture as a reward for good behavior. I have to admit that I am in the kinder/gentler camp of dog training. That may be because I am training Shih Tzus not Dobermans and it is easier to control Shih Tzus by just picking them up when they get out of line - you can't do that with a Doberman or Saint Bernard. They usually employ muzzles and prong collars on larger breeds but even then I think the gentler approaches are better.
We rescued Gizmo in 1998 and he's been super. We added Capone to our home in September of 2002 and he's struggled a bit. I'll add his rescue journal to this page over time. Capone has aggression problems with me and Gizmo but he loves my husband, Guy. Guy, however, has no interest in formal dog training and feels that a little love and understanding will overcome all of Capone's problems. While I agree - I disagree that love and understanding does not include a solid dose of dog training. So it's up to me. Did I mention that prior to 1998 - my husband and I only rescued cats - ahhhh they were so much easier in hind's sight. We've had a few doosy cat fights too so there were still challenges.
Capone seems to growl, snap and bite in the following situations:
- When Gizmo and I are playing fetch and not including him
- When Gizmo comes in from the back yard and is all excited and wiggley
- When Gizmo is running in the park (off leash) and Capone is on leash
- When Gizmo trys to get picked up (and get my attention) especially when Gizzer wants to get on the bed
Last night Gizzer let out a sad yelp and I knew he was hurt. One thing in Capone's favor is that he has a tooth that sticks out at an odd angle so there is a slight chance that while Capone was growling and snarling at Gizmo and Gizzer got knicked by the wayward tooth by accident. Growling, snarling and biting will not be tolerated so thank goodness I am home from 12/18 through 12/31. These dogs are going to get quite an obedience crash course.
Right away we chastised Capone and kept him off the bed. Gizmo got to be on the bed (you could tell he loved the attention). Capone slept underneath the bed in a pout for almost an hour and then he started begging for attention. We ignored him for awhile longer and when I allowed him on the bed Capone was very submissive. I work up at 3:00 in the morning and Capone and Gizzer were sleeping next to one another. In the morning, Capone lunged at Gizzer again when they were coming in from going potty outside. No damage to Gizmo this time.
I'll keep you posted. Our plan is to keep Capone on a leash around Gizmo - especially when Gizzer is playing so we can reel them in.
I almost fainted. Gizzer is the sweetest, most tender-hearted dog in the world (but he has his problems too) and Capone was mad at him because I was giving Gizmo attention and we were playing with a squeek toy. Capone has gone after Gizzer 3 or 4 times when he has been playing with us and we've always been able to intercede but this type Gizzer got bitten. It was a small bite and even after an hour of sifting through his fur we couldn't find the scratch - I reached for where Gizzer was bitten right after the bite and there was blood on my hand. Capone wants to be the alpha - he wants to be the alpha over me and Gizmo.
It's going to take alot of training to get Capone to be a "good citizen" and alot of training to keep up Gizmo's spirits now that he is living with a tyrant. Well, welcome to the world of rescues. In addition, the literature and studies about aggressive dogs seem to say contracting things. One approach says: use a prong collar/hold them down/don't allow them on the furniture/show them whose boss! The other approach says: never hold them down, use humane collars only and allow them on the furniture as a reward for good behavior. I have to admit that I am in the kinder/gentler camp of dog training. That may be because I am training Shih Tzus not Dobermans and it is easier to control Shih Tzus by just picking them up when they get out of line - you can't do that with a Doberman or Saint Bernard. They usually employ muzzles and prong collars on larger breeds but even then I think the gentler approaches are better.
We rescued Gizmo in 1998 and he's been super. We added Capone to our home in September of 2002 and he's struggled a bit. I'll add his rescue journal to this page over time. Capone has aggression problems with me and Gizmo but he loves my husband, Guy. Guy, however, has no interest in formal dog training and feels that a little love and understanding will overcome all of Capone's problems. While I agree - I disagree that love and understanding does not include a solid dose of dog training. So it's up to me. Did I mention that prior to 1998 - my husband and I only rescued cats - ahhhh they were so much easier in hind's sight. We've had a few doosy cat fights too so there were still challenges.
Capone seems to growl, snap and bite in the following situations:
- When Gizmo and I are playing fetch and not including him
- When Gizmo comes in from the back yard and is all excited and wiggley
- When Gizmo is running in the park (off leash) and Capone is on leash
- When Gizmo trys to get picked up (and get my attention) especially when Gizzer wants to get on the bed
Last night Gizzer let out a sad yelp and I knew he was hurt. One thing in Capone's favor is that he has a tooth that sticks out at an odd angle so there is a slight chance that while Capone was growling and snarling at Gizmo and Gizzer got knicked by the wayward tooth by accident. Growling, snarling and biting will not be tolerated so thank goodness I am home from 12/18 through 12/31. These dogs are going to get quite an obedience crash course.
Right away we chastised Capone and kept him off the bed. Gizmo got to be on the bed (you could tell he loved the attention). Capone slept underneath the bed in a pout for almost an hour and then he started begging for attention. We ignored him for awhile longer and when I allowed him on the bed Capone was very submissive. I work up at 3:00 in the morning and Capone and Gizzer were sleeping next to one another. In the morning, Capone lunged at Gizzer again when they were coming in from going potty outside. No damage to Gizmo this time.
I'll keep you posted. Our plan is to keep Capone on a leash around Gizmo - especially when Gizzer is playing so we can reel them in.
Welcome to the Animal Rescue Blog. Here we'll discuss animals that
we've rescued and their progress. We can even answer questions about
rescue and companion animal behavior. We have 13 years experience with
cat and dog rescue.
Our current rescued and/or foster pet family includes:
Dogs:
Capone - male shih tzu mix 2 years old
Gizmo - male shih tzu 4 years old
Female Cats:
Tabitha
Phoebe
Karin
Amy
Megan
Isabel
Rachel
Male Cats:
Tyler
Jonathan
Herbie
Sebastian
Billy
Yes - we live in the country and animals are a big part of our life.
In future posts we'll list the joys, sorrows, work and expense it takes
to be a responsible rescue/foster home for unwanted pets. Of course
there will also be pictures. Stay tuned.
Welcome to the Animal Rescue Blog. Here we'll discuss animals that
we've rescued and their progress. We can even answer questions about
rescue and companion animal behavior. We have 13 years experience with
cat and dog rescue.
Our current rescued and/or foster pet family includes:
Dogs:
Capone - male shih tzu mix 2 years old
Gizmo - male shih tzu 4 years old
Female Cats:
Tabitha
Phoebe
Karin
Amy
Megan
Isabel
Rachel
Male Cats:
Tyler
Jonathan
Herbie
Sebastian
Billy
Our current rescued and/or foster pet family includes:
Dogs:
Capone - male shih tzu mix 2 years old
Gizmo - male shih tzu 4 years old
Female Cats:
Tabitha
Phoebe
Karin
Amy
Megan
Isabel
Rachel
Male Cats:
Tyler
Jonathan
Herbie
Sebastian
Billy
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