I would like to insert a belated blog on a session that we actually did last July 4th, '09 for my sister Lisa's, husband Mike's, sister Kathy and her husband, Dave Biedron (whew! in other words, my In-Laws) at the Biedron's home with their newly adopted Chihuahua, Bella.
The reason I refer to Bella as a miricle in the title of this blog, is that she was rescued from a Puppy Mill. Bella had been bred for multiple litters and for 2 years lived in the atrocity of the facility she was in. I encourage you to look online for what actually goes on in these houses of horror and you will be aghast. The Biedron's purchased her at a PetCo on the day the Homeward Bound Dog Rescue who had her was there re-homing these dogs to good and caring owners.
The 4th of July wasn't an official BHD session. Dave & Kathy had initially called to ask me some questions about how to bring Bella into their home in as smooth a transition as possible, but since we were coming over for a celebration with the relatives anyway the week after they brought Bella home, we decided to use it as a casual training session. Before we arrived, I told Dave & Kathy that we would be meeting Bella with the 'No talk, No touch, No eye contact' approach.
If they had asked me about it before they went out to PetCo that day, I would have encouraged them not to adopt a Puppy Mill dog under any conditions, and was expecting to meet a dog that had overt behavioral problems due to the way she had lived prior to being rescued. But in this case, it's a good thing they didn't ask...
***Now, this is where the miricle part comes in.*** Bella was one of the sweetest and friendliest dogs I have met in a very long time. She was just as happy as could be to see all the guests arrive and her little tail was wagging like a metronome! Once she had a bit of time to get used to us being there, I sat down on the floor and slowly started to engage with her. She came over to me and didn't mind being handled at all. It was beyond astounding. We all enjoyed her so much. I would never have believed a dog from a Puppy Mill could be this 'normal'! I have to say that as a dog professional, I'm stumped, but very glad for them, and for all of us who get to enjoy her from time to time.
Disclaimer:
I want to take this opportunity to discourage the readers of this blog from purchasing a dog that is known to be from a Puppy Mill. Although I am a firm believer in miricles, you may not get off as easy as The Biedron's did. The problem's these dogs come with can be unrectifiable and detrimental. If they are mated, it only perpetuates what was defective in the first place. Although it may sound cruel, (not my intent), I cannot stress this enough.
I was so proud of Dave & Kathy for deeply caring about how to be good owners to this new arrival. They also gave me the freedom to make any corrections necessary in the way they interacted with Bella throughout the day. By the time we were done, we had covered all the bases and even watched one of the cable TV shows that Michelle and I had produced the year before called, "Dogs Issues and Their Appropriate Corrections". Very timely. I felt very good about the visit. They have only had to call or email me a couple of times with follow-up questions.
The Biedron's have had Bella for almost 9 months now and have settled into a routine with her that fits their lifestyle and has created a new and healthy one for her. They have not experienced anything out of the ordinary with Bella's behavior as they have worked through the transition. She knows some obedience commands and tricks. Dave even set up a tunnel for her to go through to her potty place outside in the winter that she took to readily.
Bella did act out in jealous aggression with a girlfriend of Kathy's once, but no one was hurt. I coached Kathy on how to handle that and as far as I know that type of episode hasn't been repeated.
Dave's mom, Helen and his sister, Donna occasionally pet sit when Dave & Kathy are away and Bella experiences little or no separation anxiety. Sometimes Helen's Yorkie comes over for a visit. Bella enjoys the company and the play time with her furry little friend.
My husband, Ruben and Michelle and I have so much enjoyed getting to know Dave & Kathy as family friends, but in this instance, I'm very glad to have had the opportunity to work with them as clients as well. It made a positive difference in their dog ownership in the long run. I'm glad I was not able to coach Dave & Kathy before they adopted Bella or we might not have her in the family right now. Things have a way of working out... and I'm so glad they did. :-)
~Candiss DelCastillo
Walks & Wags Pet Service
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