Yesterday's dog walk progress

Yesterday's dog walk deserves special mention. Sunshine confidently wanted to explore paths and directions we had not taken before. This is brand new behavior for him. Instead of heading our usual direction he headed onto sidewalks we have yet to explore so we explored them. He even did really well with cars and he curiously looked at people that he could see in the distance. The only time he flattened himself to the ground was when two motorcycles came up with two people each on them who were covered head to toe in black, including black kerchiefs over their faces and on their heads. We immediately did a U-turn and headed the other way to reduce the stress on Sunshine and he perked back up again.

A post breakfast lounge

Sunshine and Blossom are unusually lazy this morning.

Usually after breakfast Blossom is barking and whining to go on a dog walk. Sunshine is sitting, waging his tail and looking hopeful. This morning they are both lounging about. I think it may be due to the high winds outside. They were both pretty quick to come inside this morning.

I feed Stella's and Chewys raw patties. I've been adding defrosted frozen veggies to help Sunshine get some bulk without adding to his weight. This morning I added some rotisserie chicken. I confidently offered him a piece but since this was a new behavior to him he would have none of it and ran away. After breakfast he came up and I gave him a piece of toast as he is used to that and looks for it so it doesn't scare him.

A microchip for Sunshine

I want to get Sunshine a microchip since Blossom our husky mix has started to excavate herself out of the yard again. A couple of nights ago she dug out through a stream bed that we have that goes under the fence. We installed heavy rocks over the area again. I'm not sure how the old ones got moved. Maybe when the pond was worked on.

Yesterday Blossom tried to excavate herself out of a fenced area where the bottom of the fence was staked down and concreted in. She managed to work two large chunks of concrete away from the fence (it is 4 years old so has started to crack from the freezing and expansion). She didn't make it out since we were only away from the house 4 hours so we found her before she got out. The telltale signs are her being covered in dirt and mud from snout, all the way down her front, legs and paws. When she actually got out she was dirty from nose to tail.

Both dogs got a bath yesterday. While Sunshine does not like the bath, he does like having his fur combed out. Both dogs are shedding their winter coats so there was plenty of fur.

I called our mobile vet who is out of microchips but they are on order. I hope we get him done soon, just in case. I also hope if Blossom makes a break for it again, he doesn't follow her. However, he is VERY interested in all that goes on outside the fence.

We've requested to adopt Sunshine

Sunshine is such a little doll baby and gets along with Blossom so well that we have decided to adopt him. It will probably be a while before we can foster again as we still have lots of issues to help him overcome.

Sunshine, the dog door, his waistline

Sunshine went out the dog door on his own today. He has yet to come in but going out is good. He has really gotten good at coming in the deck door. I think the garage with the scary cars and trash cans is too much for him. He's doing better with trash cans and cars on walks so maybe someday...

Were looking for Sunshine's waistline or even his ribs. With all the treats he is getting for training and his voracious appetite he has lost both. In addition if Blossom leaves any food in her bowl he polishes that off so I have to keep a sharp eye out. He may or may not still be eating his poop. For the last week I've tried portion control with extra pumpkin or veggies and it seems to be helping.

Coming in from the snow

This morning Sunshine came to the back door, braving over a foot of snow, and waited for me to open it. Then when I did he came in. Right away. Didn't back off and come back a half a dozen times. Just came in. It was a little hesitant but still huge progress.

The snow is always whiter and funner on the other side of the fence.

I'm on a mission. Where is my ball?

Is it under here?

"Weeee, us Huskies sure do love the snow!"

There it is!

It's trying to get away!

Na, na, I've got the ball.

Let's see. This is the gate we normally go out for our walk. But it is closed. What should I do about it?

I know I just paw at it a bit it will open. Or maybe Mom who is right here will get the message and open it.

Well that didn't work. Maybe if I sit pretty like I do when she puts my leash on she will take me. Let me give it a try. "Awww, Mom, can't we go out for our walk?"

Sunshine will go out the dog doors!

We have great news! Sunshine will go out the dog doors! I have to say "Want to go outside" or "Find your spot". But this is huge progress. I've been herding him toward the doors and encouraging him to go out but he is now willing to brave the coat hall toward the door on his own when I tell or ask him to. He has yet to go out just because he wanted to so I still have to look after his bathroom habits but I think we are on our way.

He made one small step in coming in yesterday. I've been putting up trash can lids to block his access to the bushes he wants to hide in when he doesn't want to come in. Yesterday after some strategic positioning of blocking elements he followed Blossom in though one dog door to the house. I had the door to the garage open so he went through that door on his own. I probably won't get a repeat of it tonight but I'm very happy with the progress.

Deck progress!

In my attempt to get deck pictures I had to bribe the dogs with chews. Sunshine now knows the camera is not a snack and each time he saw me pull it out he turned tail.


Sunshine will now come up to the deck every time I go out. He expects treats. I have encouraged him in this expectation by providing treats. Sometimes he will let me pet him. Sometimes not. Were working on getting the same reaction from him if my husband goes out there but haven't had as much time to work on that. This was his best deck photo. He had just finished his chew and was saying, 'OK, can I go now?' I had closed the gates to the deck to keep the dogs from burying their chews and then guarding the spot.

Sunshine will also come in the deck door when his meal is ready provided I leave the door open and walk away. Then I can go close it after he has come into the living room for his food. Yeah!

He still isn't using the dog doors and won't come in if I invite him without it being meal time and there being a dish of food but were making progress.

Here are their enjoying a chew pictures...Sunshine was not happy being trapped on the deck for photos but eventually he settled down to enjoy his chew.

A miracle? But will it be repeated?

Today when I announced the dog walk I did it with the door open to the deck. Sunshine dashed in and up the stairs. Then he realized what he had done and dashed right back out again.

We've been working on the door to the deck, primarily with bacon or other tasty snacks. I've also been placing his meals there. Dinner just outside the door with the door closed because it is so cold. Breakfast just inside the door with the door open when it is warm enough.

Then tonight, I opened the deck door, scattered treats all over the floor and left. Next thing I knew Sunshine had come in the house on his own. But will he stay? I'm not sure I can get to the door and close it without him zipping back out....

A banner day

Sunshine confidently came onto the deck today without me having snacks. However he did look like he expected some. He even let me pet him while I was laying down on a lounger.

I discovered that Sunshine enjoys baby talk. This causes him to look happy and snuggle if he is feeling comfortable. I've noticed that he will relax when we talk to him but often is apprehensive if either of us is moving around and he can't hear our tone of voice.

A rousing game of who has the toy

Thankfully it has been nice the last two days as Sunshine has spent the entire day outside both days.

Following your nose

Sunshine has gotten confident enough to explore in his own direction on dog walks. He especially likes the tall grasses. Whenever any sort of critter is scented they both enjoy sniffing its trail. This is him trying to see if the camera is any sort of snack.

Treats on the deck

We had a banner day. Sunshine came up on the deck to take treats from my hand. It was hesitant. I had to throw them first and work my way up to the deck from the ground but eventually he got his courage up and came to get them. Yeah!