Belle is doing very well! I see her confidence growing daily! Carl has commented that he has noticed it also!
The list of commands we are working on has grown! Heel is going very well and so is cross, wait, stay and come Belle. She is doing well with Leave and she is listening to her choker chain so it does not slide on the links (meaning she is not pulling but staying at my knee). We have started working on Sit… This one had me stumped but I think I have it figured out now! She is one smart cookie! Ready and able to learn. Once we are having significant success we are then able to go see a dog trainer to get ourselves refined in execution and to begin training for Canine Good Citizen certification!
Still working on knowing I am (Suzanne) absolutely the alpha in our house. We were having some issues (aggression between Emma and Belle) that only occurred when I was present. Two days ago, at Lois’s house, we had a serious fight happen. Lois’s dog, Bella (small, silly but cute cocker spaniel), met Belle. Belle got aggressive (only dog on leash – dumb me!) and then Emma got in Belle’s face and I was unable to separate them since I could have gotten bitten. I shouted to Lois to turn on the hose on us which soon ended the fracas! I leashed them both, scolded them both, checked for injuries and took them home. While Belle had ended up on the bottom of the tussle, Emma had three small punctures to her head (not serious). Belle had no injuries but both dogs were agitated over the confrontation. I went online that night and found a set of dog training books that soon made me see the err of my ways and I have corrected MY behavior. I was sending some mixed signals and both dogs were reacting! As alpha dog I have banned all dogs from sleeping in my room (they are now sleeping next to each other outside of my door) and continued the rule of no dogs in my bathroom. I have started hand feeding their food to them to establish that they eat only when I say, and I always walk through the door ahead of them! This morning I hugged and petted each of them in front of each other without any issue! I was thrilled!!!!! I was the issue not Belle or Emma. They are playing together now; Emma even rolls her ball to Belle! Sometimes Belle throws it back!
All week Belle and I have met a new person each day. Belle didn’t handle this real well… Some barking and a bit skittish. This morning, she and I met our neighbors at the end of our driveway. She sat quietly and walked next to me after we had a brief conversation. She did a good job! We will meet Marcia and Scott again tomorrow and we will walk them home. I asked Scott and Marcia to not attempt to pet Belle at this time. Their dog, Sven, is a 250 lb. Newfoundland which Belle wisely opted not to challenge! Sven is very calm and well mannered so I expect we will have a positive experience again tomorrow and Sunday. Belle and I have a date later today to meet the other neighbor on the street in front. She barked at Ken last week but he had walked toward Belle reaching for her. I have asked him to ignore her this time and only talk to me. Later today, Belle and I will go to Eustis, park the car near Lois’s house and practice meeting Lois and Bella on the street, passing by and then meeting again. I expect to do this several times. If Belle does well, we will visit at Lois’s house. Belle and I will probably stop at our nearby dog park today on our way home if she is having a positive day to check it out for the first time.
I have been posting Belle updates on Facebook. I should be findable by searching on Suzanne Reinhardt Jones and if you send me a friend request, you can see these updates and pictures!
This week, Cat and Belle have had a lot of contact. Cat impressed Belle with her deep throaty growl and steady stare! Cat is taking naps on Carl’s bed with Belle and Emma (Carl too). Belle sometimes makes a “Popeye the Sailor man” humrph trying to get a reaction from cat but gets none! Cat is pretty certain bothering her will get the doggie reprimanded! She is correct!
Belle gave Seymour the macaw a squeeze and got a mouthful of feathers! Seymour was indignant and mad but unhurt. I didn’t get bitten consoling Seymour so it ended well too!
Belle is eating Blue Wilderness duck food now (34% protein) and daily gets natural peanut butter in her rubber bone drizzled with coconut oil when I leave the house. She doesn’t notice me leaving and when she can’t find me, she hops into bed with Carl to cuddle. Carl is still not feeling well so the cuddling is good!
I am going to stow the kennel cages. Belle seldom goes in there anymore. I will leave her bed in Carl’s room so she has a place to stow her bounty! She likes to collect the balls! I realize her chomping on the balls helps her release energy/tension. I put up the toys we bought got her since she destroyed the first two. We will introduce one again in a few weeks with a better outcome I think! Right now just the balls are giving her a lot of satisfaction! I want to work on her fetching and releasing the ball at some point but not yet.
Our Tennessee Belle is doing very well, learning and advancing daily! We are so proud of her! She is our blessing!
Thanks! Suzanne and Carl
P.S.
July 18th Emma and Belle will see Dr Erin Holder @ FL Wild Veternairy Hospital
(Floridawildvethospital.com). It will Belle’s welcome exam! Dr Holder is a holistic kind of vet and she is excited to meet Belle and care for her! I expect Emma will get sick on the trip (26 miles one way) and also expect Belle to look in disbelief! Emma got sick in the car last week and Belle was not the least bit sympathetic! LOL!
SuzanneReinhardtJones.com 