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Category Archives: dog rescue

Breakthrough Moment For Nyx – Dog Training

Nyx has an interesting week behind her and so have I. She is now about 2 1/2 years old. She is clearly a different dog compared to the day we adopted her at the tender age of 9 months.

She learned to go on walks and tolerate car rides (and I mean tolerate, lol). Her fear of the garden hose is gone and I can shower her outdoors without any problems. Nyx was a problem eater and now she eats whenever I put the bowl with kibbles in front of her. So many achievements during these 1 1/2 years with us.

Obviously, the training work is not done. Some things just take super long. It takes a lot of patience, I mean a lot, to achieve a result with my girl. Sometimes I think I should be crowned the queen of calm regarding my work with Nyx, haha!

So what is new you wonder?

Well, my crazy girl has the strong will of her Dad (a Doberman). That means once we take the turn to walk home on our daily outings she starts to pull. Not super strong but she does pull. I have been working on that FOREVER, seriously! I doubted my approach and wondered what I was doing wrong, anything that might trigger her to keep pulling on the way home. But as you know me now ... I do not give up so easily. I kept working on it for months and then the unimaginable happened about 2 days ago: She stopped. She still forgets sometimes she is on a leash but a light correction and she is back on track walking like a little lady. Needless to say, I am over the moon happy.

But that is not all my friends!!!

I got everything ready to shampoo Nyx in our big shower stall today. You know ... towels, shampoo, ear cleaner, everything needed to clean her up. She watched me with suspicious eyes and of course, knowing what is coming her way. I was ready to drag and slide my 61-pound girl into the bathroom and halfway lift and shove her into the shower stall. I got her on the leash and she got up and followed me without force to the bathroom. I closed the door, unhooked the leash, and told her to go into the shower stall. And she obeyed without any hesitance. Giving her that bath was a breeze. I still am in awe that this happened today.

I had to share this to give you hope that you can get there too. I know it is extremely frustrating when we try to train our dog to do something that is not really fun. Or downright scary. But it is possible.

The ingredients:

Lots of love, patience, commitment, and willingness to do the training over and over and over again. That eventually will lead to breakthrough moments like I sometimes have. If you show your dog that you take over leadership and show him or her the way you will build trust that goes a long way toward what you want to achieve with your furry companion.

Christina - Don't Shop ... Adopt!

Categories: dog health dog rescue dogs

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A Dog Can Be Better Than Any Therapy

Getting a dog means being patient and consistent, providing guidance and lots of love. Whether you bring home a puppy or a rescue dog ... you are cleaning up a lot of pee and other little accidents. Sometimes your favorite slipper won't survive a dog attack and being pulled through the neighborhood should not come as a surprise. Yes, dogs can be challenging, and require the willingness to let go of being super clean and always on schedule.

But you get so much in return! Every dog I shared my life with helped me through incredibly difficult times. They were always there for me. Listening, cuddling next to me when I shed tears, and getting me out of the house even when all I wanted was to hide behind closed doors. They understand Swiss German (I swear they do!) and know precisely what to do to cheer me up.

I am turning 65 in a week and my Nyx is 2 1/2 years old. That means we are going to grow old together. She will probably be the last young dog that is walking next to me. Honestly, I was hesitant to take on a new younger dog. I know that Nyx will make traveling very difficult for me even when I know she is cared wonderfully for. My thoughts will be with her doesn't matter where I go. Yet, I do not travel that much anymore. I like to stay at home in my beautiful surrounding. It worked out perfectly after all.

This article is almost like a love letter to my dog. We live through such crazy and unstable times that I simply want to share what really matters at the end of the day. For me, it is my little family and Nyx is a gigantic part of it.  I hope you forgive my sentimental thoughts today on this beautiful Monday. I don't know why I feel the way I feel today.

Get a dog only if you can and have the time and space for it. It is a big commitment and you have to be sure that you won't return your furry friend after a year with you because something comes up ... dogs deserve better!

Nyx peeked around the corner. Maybe I should teach her to bring the leash when she is ready for another walk. It looks like she wants to go out. I will go grab her gear and put my shoes on. The weather is perfect. Beautiful sunshine and perfect temperature up here in Redding in Northern California.

Christina - Don't Shop .. Adopt

Categories: dog health dog rescue dogs

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Debarking Your Dog, Really?

Obviously, I have very strong opinions about this practice. When you add a dog to your family you must understand that dogs bark. That is what they do to protect their turf and ultimately warn you of approaching danger.

I have met quite a few dog owners over the years who did it to stop neighbors from complaining or just for their own “convenience”. I personally find it very cruel to take away a dog’s voice.

My Ringo (who went over the rainbow bridge in February 2021) lost his voice due to age. He still could bark but it was muffled, and I could tell it was not feeling great when he used his vocal cords.

I did a bit more research on what happens when vocal cords get cut and what it does to a dog. I attached a flier distributed by the “Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association” that gives you the real deal.

You can read in the flyer that this is a serious surgery and can lead to far-reaching problems for the dog. It goes beyond just my feelings that this is unnecessary and cruel. There is so much more to it.

Here is the thing: Expect a dog to bark when you bring one home. Dogs bark for many reasons besides protecting territory. It can be fear, worries, etc. Train your dog to channel the barking if you feel he barks excessively. With every training remember it can take lots of time and effort to train a dog. There is no fast fix … persistence, repetitions, consistency … all will help to eventually eliminate unwanted behavior. If you can’t do it work with a professional trainer. It is well worth the investment!

What are your thoughts on this?

Christina – Don’t Shop, Adopt

Categories: dog health dog rescue dogs

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