Miss Spirit, aka Sunshine, aka Mystic, is a little adorable Pomeranian Sheltie mix. Looking at her markings and coat, it is easy to think “sheltie.” But, when she turns her head and you get a profile – she definitely has some pom in her!
Spirit is foster #6 (well, really #7, if Duchess and Blackie do not count as one). She was spayed last Thursday and is just now feeling a little better (she is zoom zooming outside). The stitches itch, though, and she has a hard time bending to lick them, so gets a little frustrated! The noises she makes!
She is a timid little girl who has an easier time dealing with people than other dogs. She is starting to play with Robbie – since he never leaves her alone and is always pestering her to play. She is also good with Ella and Maggie. The first night she was here, she slept on the bed with her head on Maggie’s rump. And, if the play gets too rough, she will often run and hide behind Miss Mags.
Spirit can take or leave Bear, whom she is having a hard time communicating with, since Bear only responds to canine body language, especially sheltie body language. Spirit tends to vocalize her displeasure with the close proximity of other dogs and Bear can’t hear, so she often feels the need to nip at him. THAT is body language he can see and understand, so he now tends to give her a wide berth. But, Spirit doesn’t seem to be any more timid around Bear than the other shelties.
Blackie, however, gets into growling contests with Spirit. Of course, both are on the bed and both think that this is THEIR place to be – no other dogs up here, thank you very much. Well, the rule in this house is that bed privileges go only to those who have earned them. And, I am the only one who decides who is on the bed. Any excessive growling or snarkiness, and you have lost your bed privileges for the night.
First, everyone must learn the cue “Off the Bed.” I teach each and every foster (and my own permanent dogs) this term. First, we practice jumping up and down off the bed – I use treats to lure them. Then, we do this while I use a hand motion and say “Off the bed.” I eventually phase out the lure and then just reward when they are on the floor.
I also teach “Get on this bed.” Which is actually taught in my household as a game, since once they jump on the bed, we play sock muzzle or belly rubs or feet catching, depending upon how safe it is to play such games with each dog.
Maggie, Ella and Robbie all sleep on the bed off and on through the night. They usually choose when and where, since they allow other dogs on the bed. Harley and Bailey, the two Siamese cats, always sleep on the bed. So, there is some room for another dog or two. If anyone tries to monopolize the bed, they are asked to get off. If they don’t, I gently pick them up and deposit them on a dog bed of their own on the floor (sometimes, during the night, I do not reinforce with a treat). No yanking collars or anything like that – just gently touching them and then lifting up and to their own bed. Blackie especially responds well to this (he does NOT respond well to touching his collar to move him). Spirit needs a little more work with staying off the bed once she is no longer on it, but once she becomes more confident, she will feel more comfortable sleeping in her own bed occasionally.
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