Tinkerbell has her first visit to the vets

Today Tinkerbell had her first treatment at the vets, little did we know on that on the start of our doggy journey we would be there so often with one or other off the vets would be on first name terms.

Tinkerbell and Bluebell were having a grand old time playing with a lovely black Greyhound on our walk but when we got home from the walk we notice the poor girl had sliced her paw open. The emergency vet squeezed us in as it was a really nasty cut.

Normally you ring the vet at an allotted time to arrange discharge and collection. At least a couple of hours before we expected to pick her up the vet called me to say Tinkerbell was ready to go home. I could hear a dog screaming in the background. With some trepidation I asked ‘is that Tinkerbell?’ to which the vet replied, ‘yes she’s actually much better now she is sedated’

Yippe we went out - but only to the tip

Today we left them alone for the first time. Okay a trip the tip to get rid of the garden rubbish is hardly a night at the Ritz but we were on our own for the first time in many weeks.

She had been quite barky whilst we were in the garden but then settled down so it seemed like an ideal moment to test them being left alone. We weren't gone long and when we got home I crept round the back of the house to see what they were up to. To my utter delight they were both happily snoozing on the sofa. I'm not ashamed to say I jumped up and down and clapped my hands with delight. It was a truly magical moment.

One step forwards two steps back

Tinkerbell had been settling in quietly in her crate with only a few minutes of creating a fuss. Tonight she went in of her own accord but then after she'd been in there a while started to kick up a right fuss. I'm suprised we didn't get a visit from the RSPCA she was making such a racket. It was heartbreaking but we had to ignore her. We knew she didn't need anything as we made sure all her needs were met before we put her in there. She can't be lonely or feeling unloved as we let her snuggle with us before putting her in there. Eventually we she realised the screaming and shouting would get her no where she shut up.

Until 4.10am that is...Something disturbed Bluebell. We tried to get him to go back to bed but finally gave in at 4.50am!

It's a good job I'm a morning person.

Crate training

This morning we tried a little structured play. I needed some time to be able to get some work done. I’m working from home a little more often to give her time to settle in. I can only imagine this type of play isn’t something she’s done before, she just didn’t get it, I had to show her what to do. Bluebell ‘used’ have a treat pyramid. It worked on the same principal as a weeble. The dog pushes the pyramid that is weighted on the bottom, pyramid leans over dispenses a treat and stands back up again. The poor deceased pyramid didn’t last 10 minutes! Tinkerbell decided it would be much more fun and much quicker to actually break the pyramid open instead. I could see exactly what she was doing but as I had to get my work done I just had to let her get on with it. I promised Bluebell a new toy to replace it.

We also need to break the mouthing habit. If she wants to play she will take my arm in her mouth or grab my clothing. She barely makes contact with my skin but I’m worried she might do it to my young nephew or my elderly Nan. I tried squealing but this completely backfired as it seemed to excite her more. The only thing I’ve found that works is turning my back on her and crossing my arms in front of my so she physically can’t reach me. Unfortunately the clever girl soon learnt that all she had to do was come round the other side of me and there I was in full eye contact. I have ended up stood in corners so she can’t get to me, I look like a character in the Blair Witch Project.

After last nights performance I am determined she'd go in her bed and stay there.

Boy what a night. I am at a loss at to what to do to make her settle. In despair I even signed into MSN for morale support. I spoke with Judith at length and we decided the best course of action would be for me to try sleeping on the floor with Tinkerbell. I was adamant that I wasn't going down the rocky road of allowing her to be naughty and get to sleep with me as a reward. No sireee.

In the end I just sat in front of her crate doing stuff, sorting the washing, writing my diary etc (what a rock n roll lifestyle I lead!) I kept bribing her to go in the crate with treats. The clever little minx would go in the crate, pick up the treat and bring it outside to eat it.

In the end I put her in there with some tasty ribs and locked the door. We managed a whole 10 minutes before she started barking and howling. It’s progress.

She was quite content until she’d finished the ribs then she started squealing like a banshee. I know this is attention seeking behaviour and I have to not give in but it’s soooo hard. She claws at the crate door and rattles it, it’s heart breaking to watch and listen to but we have to get our sleep. I hate that we have to literally lock her away but if we don’t she jumps all over us on our bed or she pesters Bluebell. He’s been a superstar so far but there is only so much he’s going to take before he tells her off.

I'm sincerely hoping this a symptom of her being ignored for so long and once she's got used to us lavishing attention on her she'll feel more confident in us and settle down.

Tomorrows another day and another challenge.