Bijou's Web Page

Update 10-7-15

Bijou is doing well. Training is going slow but steady. She's playing with the other dogs every day (I posted a video of her playing on the BSRR Facebook page). She's calmer and friendlier with everyone in the house but would likely hide at first from someone new. She feels secure in a wire crate and often chooses to nap in there even with the kennel door open. An adoptive home must have a crate for her. Her fears of the TV, vacuum and other noises are slowly getting better.

I'd suggest editing her description on the BSRR website to be a bit more positive. She's not the problem dog the initial reports from IHS suggested. She's already made big strides and with training and time she'll be a reasonably well adjusted and very affectionate dog. She'll probably always have issues with being startled/skittish, and will always be high energy, but in a home environment she's not the difficult, hide-in-the-corner dog they described.

Update 9-29-15
Just took Bijou out for her first obedience training session, which (predictably) started with a wrestling match and ended with a decent heel and sit. Clearly, no one's ever expected her to behave, but she's smart and will learn quickly.

We picked Bijou up from the IHS 9-28-15 and she's doing well. In fact, I'd say she's easier to deal with than the IHS people suggested.

At the Humane Society she was distracted and stressed by the other dogs and sounds, and extremely difficult to control using the body harness (not collar) they had on her. She dragged me across the parking lot and was a struggle to get into our car.

However, at home she's been relatively easy to deal with. We've seen none of the neck pain/fear that they described and are using a normal collar on her. I plan on starting with obedience training tomorrow. She is hesitant at first when meeting people but quickly warms up and climbs into your lap. I gave her a bath, which was easy except for her fear of the sprayer, so I used a water pitcher instead. She generally gets along with our other dogs - just a few times when she growled, usually over access to human attention or personal space. She's easy to put into a wire crate and seems to feel safe there.

In general, I'd say she will be easy to work with, but will need help with these issues:

· she's head shy, closing her eyes and ducking if you reach for her too quickly

· she needs to learn not to get growly with the other dogs (for instance if they approach when she's being petted or approach her kennel)

· we'll need a lot of work on manners, particularly around human food (the IHS said they used food to get her to do what they wanted, so she thinks all food is for her)

· she's afraid of our TV (and hides behind the couch where she can't see it)

· she's afraid of loud noises

Below is information from the shelter.
Bijou is approximately 3 yrs old, spayed, UTD on shots. Shelter life is very hard on her. She is extremely fearful and stressed with all the chaos. She is super sensitive and the loudness is so frightening to her. She is very affectionate, eager to please, and fantastic with other dogs. Bijou came to us with open wounds from a prong collar and is extremely fearful of collars and leashes. We have been working with her and she is receptive as long as she is comfortable with her handler. If she doesn't know the person, she will pancake on the floor and hide her face.

In quiet environments, she loves to lean on her human, roll over for belly rubs, and is food motivated. This girl is a staff favorite, but her mental state is not good in this environment.

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