JD
We are very happy to share our happy ending with ESRA and the site:
We adopted JD (aka "Just Dog") in January '05. We brought him home and loved him right away but, it was not easy getting to where we are today. He lives with 3 kids, ages 14, 12, and 11 along with Dan (my rescued Chihuahu), Lady (another adoptee) and 2 old cats. When we first brought him home, JD did not really trust anyone, including any other dogs.
He had been a stray when he wandered into Val's yard in Orlando- she cleaned him up, nuetered him, and gave him lots of love. He lived with Val and her family for several months while waiting to be adopted. I first saw him on the ESRA site, so handsome and just waiting for a loving and patient home. When I went to see him he did not walk so nicely on a leash and I was told that he has some issues, especially with other dogs and some men. I knew I had some work to do but I had to take him home with me....
Someone had told me about a book, SitStayFetch so I decided to look for it online. I bought and downloaded it and began reading and finding good ideas on what I could do to try to correct some of JD's aggressive behaviors.
I also hired a trainer who came to my house to help with JD. She was excellent! She visited 3 times for an hour and showed me the best way to begin to make JD the best he could be-it wasn't easy. Between the book and Cissy (trainer) we began to make some headway. JD was finally straightening up after a couple of very long weeks!
In case it may help some of you out there: One thing I did immediately was to stop allowing JD to sleep next to my bed at night. He thought he was the leader of the pack and would sometimes climb up in the bed with me. I had to show him that he was not, so I put up a nice-sized crate for him in the dining room and he started sleeping in there. He actually liked going in his crate, it gave him a sense of security that he sorely needed-he still loves his crate and he wanders in there to nap and to sleep at night without prompting.
Another thing I did with JD was to begin walking him with a 'gentle leader' several times a day-this made our walks enjoyable instead of a battle. I trained him to walk by my side, to sit and to walk when I began walking. He needed a firm and consistent mom and I guess I was the one! We still take daily walks and I make him work for every treat he gets, and so do the kids.
He does not like going to the groomer (we had a fiasco the first trip) so I bought a good cutting razor and now he lays on the floor here at home and gets his groomings. He loves it!
JD is now a trusted family member, a wonderful watch dog, and a playful happy guy-the way it should be. He follows me everywhere in the house and does the typical "WOO WOO" before every meal (and then some!). He continues to be an excellent watch dog at the same time.
We love our JD-thank you ESRA for giving him a chance and for helping me through the first few months with him! I would say that this one is a VERY happy ending!
Rita, Alisa, Kenny and Mike Randolfi
Vero Beach, Florida
p.s. JD now stands for 'James Dean', a rebel without a cause!