This is what you missed in the month of December

Wow! It's been almost 4 months since I caught this guy in the woods. Here I am wrapping my arms around Jack symbolizing how I will never let him go...in my heart. It was a long 4 hours of sitting on the hard ground and missing a Packer game but oh so worth it.

Jack and I worked a lot in the month of December. He is such a great store dog. We have the best customers too. This little girl and her Mom wanted to make sure Jack had something from St. Nick so they bought him his favorite thing, a pig snout. Awe. Then a little later another customer bought him two toys. How sweet is that? Everyone loves Jack and ask about his progress.  He is really becoming such a great dog. 

Jack loves to snuggle. He wanted to be by me so bad that he jumped up and laid on top of Badger. Good thing Badger didn't mind. 

Jack is also doing great with my husband. He has even started to "mouth" him which you will see my husband correcting in the video, Jack tends to mouth or gently bite my arm or sleeve in excitement. It is something we are working on. 

I was able to switch shifts with someone and have off on Christmas Eve. I was pretty sick with a sore throat and cold but really wanted Jack to experience the dog park so I pushed myself to go. It was the best gift I got just to see his pure joy at running off leash.  Makes me wish I had a fenced in back yard. Oh, honey...

Kinsey just got herself right in between Jack and Badger. Jack didn't even growl. Good boy. What a cute couple. 

As you can see it was a busy December. Jack is doing so good. We did have one minor mishap which was my fault. I thought he would've been really tired from the dog park Christmas Eve and so I opted not to crate him.  Well, we got home to kind of a mess. Not sure if he's learned how to open doors or if the kids left the bathroom door opened that had the garbage in it (most likely scenerio) but the garbage was all over the place and stuff was knocked off our breakfast bar and a barstool was over turned. I'm thinking that Jack is not a fan of being home without humans. He gets bored and gets into trouble. Kinsey and Theo were also not crated but this has never happened with them before so... I will just have to make sure he is crated from now on. 

Well, it's snuggle time and a fire is going.  

Stay warm and thanks for thinking rescue.

Stephanie

Jack and I Have Been Busy

I apologize for not blogging sooner but Jack and I have been quite busy at the pet store.  He comes with me almost every time I work.  He is a wonderful pet store dog. He's only stolen a few pig ears and pig snouts.  I think that's pretty good since we also have treats at his level which he ignores.  Every other dog that comes in tries stealing them so it's not that they aren't tasty.

I thought I should show you a few pictures of Jack at work at the pet store. In the picture below he is enjoying a pig ear Paula gave him. This probably began his obsession of pig parts. LOL!

Here is Jack sharing in on the shenanagins going on at work. Those are organic packing peanuts he has as eyebrows. 

Jack even has his own Party Mix he is selling.

Here is one of Jack's favorite places to rest or watch the action.

Hmmm. Maybe he's trying to tell me he wants to try Canidae. I think he is enjoying the Fromm that he's eating now though.

Badger and Jack are becoming good snuggle buddies. They both wanted to be near the fire.

Jack had to move. He was getting too warm.  He didn't even mind Kinsey's butt touching his head. This picture cracks me up.

Jack was asked to model this pretty pink Packer jersey. He did a great job walking the runway.

As you can see, Jack and I have been very busy at work and at napping.  He is such a trouper with all the long hours we've been putting in. He has come such a long way and is no longer that super scared boy I once knew. He is going up to people on his own and even going off to explore.  He's still a bit growly when meeting other canine friends but is learning.  He knows how to sit but I think the schnauzer in him fights it.  He sits in slow motion maybe half the time.  I was joking with my coworkers the other day and started kind of playing with Jack.  I did something and he sat immediately. My co-workers were like, "Do that again.  Whatever you just did made him sit." Well the thing I was doing is what I like to refer to as "jazz hands." If you have ever watched any musicals or Broadway performances you have probably seen some sort of jazz hands where the actors stretch out their hands and shake.  He sat probably 5 out of 6 times I did jazz hands.  How fitting since I love to dance and even have a Dance minor degree. I think Jack started a new training method.  So forgive me forever family if you have to shake your booty as some of the commands. I can almost guarantee  you and Jack will be in great shape after you learn all the training moves. 

Thanks for thinking rescue!

Stephanie  

Who says Jack doesn't play with toys?

Jack must finally be feeling more like himself. He actually played with a tennis ball and a frisbe outside the other day. He was also running around crazy. I love it! 

I believe Jack has a very good work ethic as well. He loves to come to work with me to the Daycare or Pet Supplies and More. He will still growl when a dog approaches but is getting much better with people. He has even taken treats from a few customers and has gone up to sniff a few. There was one time where he thought we were alone in the store and was just walking next to me up one of the aisles when BAM he almost ran into a man. He couldn't get away fast enough. Poor guy. With more good experiences I think it will erase the bad. It will just take time. 

Enjoy this picture of Jack and Theo snuggling on top of me. I had just picked them up from Rock's Positive K9 Training where they were boarded when we went up north. They kept a close eye on me after that. Ha!

Jack says to make sure to go out and roll in some grass before it turns into snow.

Thanks for thinking rescue.

Saving one dog at a time,

Stephanie

Snuggles to Training. Jack is the perfect dog.

Jack is one of the easiest fosters I've ever had. He snuggles like a champ, has never had an accident in the house, follows me around everywhere, gets along with my dogs and cats, is great in the car, sleeps in his bed on the floor all night long. I have stopped crating him at night because it was stressing both of us out.  He is still shy meeting new people and only seems to like certain dogs. He will give a low growl if they sniff around his face too much.  We are working on socialization with humans and other dogs. He comes to the daycare with me every time I work and will usually watch the other dogs play. He's like me. He loves his naps. Ha!

Napping with Mom.

Jack and Kinsey sharing the dog couch. 

Jack loves to sniff around the yard.

More sniffing.

Nap time again. Does it count if it's on a different couch?

Obedience class at Pet Supplies & More in Muskego

Jack is learning to sit and stay with lots of distractions.  Such a good boy.

Thanks for thinking rescue!

Saving one dog at a time,

Stephanie

Curious Jack

Jack is settling in nicely here at the Funny Farm.  He has had a busy couple of days. I take him with me to the daycare if it's a longer shift. I've been meaning to mention that he is great in the car. I open the car door, Jack jumps in and lays right down. Not a peep the entire car ride. He's still not really playing with other dogs but is tolerating them much better.  He just wants to be by his person. We were discussing whether or not he would be a better fit as an only dog but when he was down south he bonded with Blackstone, another Fluffy Dog.  He hasn't seemed to bond with any of my dogs as of yet. He is just bonded with me. Follows me everywhere.  He's only been here about two weeks though. I'm not sure what the answer is but he would probably be fine with another dog or as an only dog. 

I will try to remember to say it in each post that he is potty trained. Not one single accident. I love that.  Seems fine with cats. Maybe even a little scared of them. He did sniff Pumpkin, my cat and let him rub up against him.  He is not a high energy dog. Don't get me wrong. If you're outside working or hiking he would love to tag along. Just plan on making sure you are very well bonded with him before taking him out into the world. New situations and people scare him. Also make sure he has a leash on. He wore won inside for the first week because he would run and hide from my husband.  I put it on from time to time inside but always outside.  I do not want to chance someone or something scaring him and him taking off.  He has learned that when he is done with his business he gets lots of praise and attention so he will run to me from across the yard still on a leash.  I have seen him go from slinking around my house and not going far from me outside to becoming very curious and getting farther and farther from me. He will even go outside without me.  I like to go out with him to make sure he has actually done his business and sometimes I need a breath of fresh air too. 

My husband rented a log splitter the other day and I thought the noise would freak him out along with the chain saw. Nope. He was fine. He was a little extra cautious but was not frightened.  

Here are a few pictures of my two boys. Theo and Jack are pretty good at sharing me.  Sometimes I sit in between them and other times Jack is between me and Theo.  

Theo and Jack napping while I'm at the computer.  The stuffing is from Kinsey. She's been working on a stuffed racoon for a while.  She hasn't learned to clean up her messes yet.

Jack and Watson taking a break from playing, though not together.

Please enjoy the following video of Jack being a curious boy.  You get to see just how sweet he is.

Thanks for thinking rescue.

Saving one dog at a time,

Stephanie

Snuggles with Jack

Jack is becoming quite the snuggle bug. He loves laying next to me while I watch tv at night. He even let my son snuggle up next to him. I think mostly because he had goldfish crackers. I told my son he could give him just a couple. I wanted to see if he would take them from him. So Jack stretched out his neck ever so slowly, sniffed the cracker, then very gently took just one. Such a polite boy.  We are learning that Jack is afraid of men mostly. He is warming up to my husband and two teenage boys that are probably still men in his eyes since they are tall and have deep voices now.   

Best buddies cheering on the Pack!

 We are also working on hand feeding him so that he knows that not all men are bad. He wouldn't eat from my husbands hand at first or even from the bowl when placed in front of him if my husband was sitting near by. Slowly but surely we are gaining ground. This morning my husband sat next to Jack in his favorite spot by the window and Jack actually ate from the bowl. He is still refusing to eat from his hand.  He has taken some kibble from my son's hand with me right by his side.  It just takes time. So please know that if you are interested in adopting Jack he will most likely shut down all over again. That's what happens with change in a dogs life. Especially for those that are already so scared of everything and everyone.  It will take not only love, but time and patience.  Also persistence and consistency.  

Nap time.

Last night we stayed up late watching the Packer game. Well, Jack and I fell asleep on the couch. My husband tried to wake us up but we were just so comfy we stayed there together. After a few hours I woke up very sore and decided I needed my bed. Not wanting to wake up the entire family I decided to give Jack a test run and let him stay on the couch. Otherwise Jack barks for a while in the kennel.  I put the garbage can in the bathroom so that he wouldn't knock it over again.  Well, I learned my lesson. Even though he is short he can still grab things off the counter and managed to get my prescription sunglasses, box of zip lock bags, and other items. He will get kenneled from now on. It was my fault for thinking that he would just sleep.  Dogs get bored and the house was quiet. Perfect time to see what all those good smells are coming from the kitchen. Don't worry. He didn't eat anything. Just chewed up my glasses and the box containing the bags.  

Besides needing to kennel him when your gone and at night he is a pretty easy dog. He is learning to not be afraid of everything. The more exposure to the world the better. I take him to work with me where he meets new dogs all the time. He's not at the point of playing with anyone yet. My dog Badger has tried so hard by biting him on the neck, well more like chewing and laying down on his back right in front of him. One of these days Jack will feel confident enough to play. I can see the light in his eyes coming back. 

 He is a curious boy and is venturing further and further from me. This is a good thing. If he gets spooked he will come running.  That is happening less and less. I am going out with him for a few reasons. One, that I know he has actually done his business and two for his safety.  I don't want to take the chance that he gets tangled on something and gets loose. We do have an electric fence but even if he was my dog I would wait a while to train him on that. He has to know me and my family and trust in all of us.

Here is a short video of Jack starting to venture off further from me. Such a cutie! 

Jack is such a sweet boy that is potty trained, doesn't mind cats rubbing up on him, and is ok with other dogs. He's not a fan of big dogs but is getting used to them. He will growl a little if a larger dog comes up to his face or if they are sniffing him too long. He is learning how to meet others and will hopefully start to play soon.

Thanks for thinking rescue!

Saving one dog at a time,

Stephanie

Jack's first few days at the Funny Farm

Jack is settling in nicely here.  I really thought I struck gold when he didn't make a peep the first night.  Then the second night came and he barked a few minutes after I went to bed. He barked in his kennel for about 10 minutes. That's the time when the door closes to my bedroom and the noise maker goes on. I thought he did pretty good settling down after 10 minutes. It seems like Theo will bark all night long if kenneled.  They will get used to it and it becomes routine for them.  Morning came and my husband got up at his usual 4:30 am. Guess who was out of his kennel and sleeping on the pillow by the bay window? Jack of course. I thought maybe I didn't secure the kennel and made sure to that night. Well wouldn't you know the same thing happened the next day. What a little escape artist!  I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that it's an older wire crate that doesn't latch well. If fact we were going to throw it away until I decided to foster Jack. He's a smart boy and just loves his window seat.

The good thing is he has not had any accidents. Not a one. Love that. Such a good boy. So in the five days I've had him I'm calling him potty trained.  

Another thing people are curious about is if he gets along with cats. The answer would have to be yes. He gets along with cats. He met the infamous Pumpkin. You should've seen his face. He froze and was like, "What the hell is that thing?"  He just stood really still Sigorney Weaver did in Alien when it was checking her out. He didn't growl or anything when Pumpkin started rubbing up against him. He also didn't run away. He just kind of backed up slowely, turned around, and walked away very slowly. Pumpkin comes in to our bedroom every night and has to pass Jack on the way. Jack doesn't try to chase him. "Respect the cat" is probably what he is thinking. LOL

Finally here are some pictures of Jack getting used to the yard. I will not take the chance to ever let him off leash and neither should you, forever family. It would take lots of time if you were ever thinking of it. Never assume he will come to you. He is a very shy, scared boy.  He is afraid of my husband and we are working on that. I think with time and hand feeding he should feel comfortable soon.  I am also exposing him to life. He comes to the daycare with me and goes out with all the dogs. He will growl a little. Definitely less than before. Here's a tip. If you pet and give attention to another dog he will come up and try to get your attention not caring about the other dog so much. I've done this to get him to meet and smell other dogs and let them smell him as well as at home with my husband. He will start to pet Kinsey and Jack will come over and want pets. Where as if Kinsey weren't around he might stretch to smell and give a quick lick to my husbands hand.

Jack next to Kinsey and the hole she dug.

Getting to know the yard.

Chill'n 

Yoga anyone?

Theo and Jack 

The beginning of Jack's journey.

Jack is learning to be social with other dogs. This is the starting point. There always has to be a before and after. You might view this as him being scared and in the corner. He met a lot of dogs and growled at first when they came up to sniff him. Here he is actually a little more relaxed. After five minutes of being in the kennel he was actually letting other dogs approach him without growling. That is a huge baby step. He even got some sniffs in himself. Every day he learns something new and gets exposed to different things. He is gaining confidence little by little. One day soon he will not live in fear because that is no way to live.  We could all learn a thing or two from Jack. Get out there. Take risks. Do not be afraid. Live!

Thanks for thinking rescue!

Saving one dog at a time,

Stephanie