At the advice of trainer, Karolin Klinck, I've read Debbie Jacobs' A Guide to Living with and Training a Fearful Dog. Jacobs suggests that every dog needs a hobby. I thought that I might suggest chewing to Bella as a good hobby to take up. It's portable, can be done from bed, and has many variations with regard to the item chewed. A great many dogs chew, and enjoy it, so I thought that with a nudge, Bella, too, could discover the art of chewing.
First I offered her a piece of jerky. She didn't seem to know what to do with it, but later, when I searched her bed it was nowhere to be found. So unless her stuffed dog took care of it, Bella chewed it up.
Then I offered a lamb's ear. Disgusting, I know, but it was one of the delights offered at the pet shop I frequent, so I thought I would give it a go. Bella regarded me questioningly when I gave it to her, and later, when I came in to check out her progress, the lamb's ear was intact near her front paw as dry and unsullied as could be.
I decided to make the lamb's ear more enticing with cheez whizz. The results of this experiment are that the cheez whizz disappears, but the lamb's ear remains like a used dish. A second round of cheez whizz is currently on offer, but I suspect this may not be a hobby Bella is inspired by, at least at this time. So what next? Suggestions?
First I offered her a piece of jerky. She didn't seem to know what to do with it, but later, when I searched her bed it was nowhere to be found. So unless her stuffed dog took care of it, Bella chewed it up.
Then I offered a lamb's ear. Disgusting, I know, but it was one of the delights offered at the pet shop I frequent, so I thought I would give it a go. Bella regarded me questioningly when I gave it to her, and later, when I came in to check out her progress, the lamb's ear was intact near her front paw as dry and unsullied as could be.
I decided to make the lamb's ear more enticing with cheez whizz. The results of this experiment are that the cheez whizz disappears, but the lamb's ear remains like a used dish. A second round of cheez whizz is currently on offer, but I suspect this may not be a hobby Bella is inspired by, at least at this time. So what next? Suggestions?
RSS Feed