Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I want to give you an update on Gracie after all of the good suggestions and comments you offered when I first adopted her in July. We had a very bumpy start (to say the least) and to be honest, there were a few times I thought we had made a huge mistake by adopting her.
She was constantly harassing our small dog and cat and would jump up and bite us and our guests (just trying to play- no aggression). She wouldn't listen to a word I said. If I didn't know better I would think she was deaf, but no, she was just ignoring me. She pretty much was an uncontrollable terror. Oh, and she refused to go potty outside. She would actually put on the "breaks" and wouldn't budge when I would try to walk her around and then as soon as I brought her back inside, she would immediately go potty on the floor right in front of me!!
I tried to establish dominance from day one, and she fought me every step of the way. She wouldn't look me in the eye or even wag her tail around me. But I can be as stubborn as she can and I didn't give up. I made her work for everything she got (petting, food, walks etc.) And eventually she realized that I am the boss, not her. She is actually much happier now than she was before. She follows me around the house, seems much more relaxed, and yes, she actually looks me in the eye and wags her tail!!
She is much better with the other animals too, and as a matter of fact, Gracie will even play a "gentle" game of tug of war with my little dog Chloe. It's funny, because Gracie will just stand there with the braided pull toy in her mouth and Chloe (all 8 lbs of her) will be pulling with all her might. Gracie never lets her win of course, but Chloe still has fun trying.
I enrolled her in a basic obedience class in August and she did really well. She turns into a different dog when in "training mode". She is very focused on me and my commands and I think she likes to show off her skills in front of the other dogs. She graduated this week and I am very proud of her. I actually just got off the phone with her instructor who thinks she would be a good dog to eventually take the Canine Good Citizen test. They only hold training classes in preparation for the CGC test in our area twice a year, so they will put her on the list for when classes begin.
It's just so amazing to me the positive changes in her. All she ever wanted in this life was a family to love her and stability and now she's got both forever. 
Michelle
[Image Can Not Be Found]
this is wonderful - thanks for showing that putting the time and effort in is always rewarded. gracie is a lucky girl!!! bet she aces the CGC. great picture of the three pups together, happy family indeed!!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Way to go Michelle and Gracie. That is a wonderful update. Sounds like Fortis and Gracie have a lot in common. Kudos to you for standing by Gracie and giving her the chance she deserves. It takes a lot of hard work but the reward is unbelievable in my opinion. Fortis' word to begin a training session was simply "work". If spoken, he would turn into a different dog and immediately enter into the "training mode". Just like you said above, they become focused on you and your commands. Sounds like you have a pup who has accepted you as the pack leader. That's fantastic. Good luck on the CGC.
Fortis'Dad Brett
sorry...edited
Well, I can totally relate Michelle. I too had a ruff start in life, and for a while my pawrents weren't sure if I would learn how to shed that guard dog 'tude and be a family dog. But after some tough training (and a few alpha rolls...thanks DAD!) it's been just over a year, and I'm really much happier knowing that they're in charge. Life is good for all of us.
Paws up to you for not giving up on Gracie! I wish there were more good humans like you on this planet. Spread the word....rescue dawgs are not broken, just a little dinged up, but nothing that can't be repaired with discipline and love!
Wyatt Ray Dawg . . . The Tripawds Leg-A-Cy Continues!
Read all about my adventures at my Tripawds Blog
That is one WONDERFUL update. Pitties can be a real challenge - they are so smart! We've had Duke a little over a year and he has just now settled in and is happy. He was OK, from the beginning, but just not trusting - that took all this time. Making them work for everything is a great strategy. It really instills in them that we control the good things in their world.
Thank you for giving Gracie a run for the money, and showing her it is ok for the humans to be in the lead.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
hugapitbull said:
Pitties can be a real challenge - they are so smart!
That's funny you should say that. When we first got her I didn't think she was real bright, but actually the opposite is true, she is almost too intelligent for her own good. Kind of like an evil genius. 
I am so impressed! It is hard work and can be emotionally draining trying to get through to another being without understanding each others language. We expect so much more from them in learning us that if they haven't had a connection to start with it can be really trying to develop one.
But..... once you get there, YAY! There is nothing better!!
Good job for you both,
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Good job Gracie and Michelle!
I love reading these success stories you all post with your adopted pups. My situation is not with a wild or aggressive dog, quite the opposite. My pug boy Obie came to me VERY VERY timid. He was afraid of everyone, all dogs, loud noises, loud voices... He didn't like to go outside by himself, or walk on grass. I have had him for 3 months now and he is getting better.
Your story gives me incentive to keep working with him to bring out the real Obie!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Oh, Karen, you can do it. You just have to keep taking those baby steps and one day months down the line you discover how much the little guy has changed. They just need lots of love and patience. And you may take three steps forward and one back - and that is acceptable. It is still progress in the end.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Michelle, the world of dogs needs more people like you! Kudos for not giving up on Gracie because it was hard - glad to hear that all of the time, energy, and love paid off. It almost always does, but many don't have the patience to see it through.
Here's to many more happy years with Gracie!
Zack, King of Dogs, 1996 to 2010
Zack lived a full 14 years, even to the end.
The joy and memories he provided us will last a lifetime.
Surviving him is his sister, Izzy, a 12-year-old boxer mix quadpawd.
And the latest addition, Zula, an 11-month-old pit bull mix tripawd.
rockyandme said:
hugapitbull said:
Pitties can be a real challenge - they are so smart!
That's funny you should say that. When we first got her I didn't think she was real bright, but actually the opposite is true, she is almost too intelligent for her own good. Kind of like an evil genius.
Michelle, I know I probably shouldn't fess up to this, but I read your post to Bob and we laughed so hard. Living with this hard headed breed for 12 years, we can totally realate to your post, and there is something so comforting in hearing it from someone else. 
Trouble, in her younger years was so much like you described Gracie. She was just wild and totally deaf. She would listen only when she chose to. She loved people so much and she would leap on them with all 65 pounds. I finally found the book The Dog Listener and it helped me get her contained. And just in case any of you get the bright idea to have your pup trained while you are on vacation. DO NOT DO IT. That was the biggest mistake. She would obey the trainer like a champ, but never did really do as well for us. We are still trying to decide if she became mellow because of the cancer or because of her age. She is just really an awesom pet now.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Thank you for the kind words everyone. We still have a long way to go with Gracie, but it's just so nice to see improvements in her attitude.
It may sound strange, but one of the hardest things for me was the fact that she didn't wag her tail for the first 1 1/2 months we had her and she was so indifferent towards me.
She had no intention of giving up her power. But just like Wyatt, she is so much happier with out that responsibility of being pack leader. She can finally relax and be a puppy.
Karen, I had to coax Gracie across the lawn with a piece of kibble back when she refused to walk across the lawn to go potty. She is very food motivated. Is Obie? By the way I love his name.
Shanna, your last post made me laugh At least we're in good company!
Oh! I'm so, so happy for you Michelle! I bet in no time, Gracie will be as precious as her name! She is a beautiful, beautiful dog.
I'm glad you didn't give up. That's why no one should ever listen to me about aggressive seeming dogs! I've been traumatized by dog fights so put me on the ignore list and just appease me when I get on a soap box!
I completely understand what you mean about the "connection" bond! That's how I felt with Rocket aka monkeybutt. He was so connected to my husband that I was miffed. He seemed scared of me. ME!???!! But I think he sensed my inimaginable bond with Comet and I wanted him to be Angel Rugby. I wanted him to love her like he did. The irony - once I finally started liking him for himself and not for what I thought he should be, he became my liitle baby boy and he started adoring Comet, too. He is stuck to me and who cares about daddy, if mommy is around! I can hold him like a baby and he will sleep in my arms. Think daddy can do that? NOPE!
Keep up the good work Michelle! Bravo Gracie!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Michelle,
Just so you know- pug=food motivated! I've read where dogs do behaviors for praise- well those people have never had a pug. Pugs don't do s#!t for praise- it's all about the food reward.
I guess I miss-led a little above- Obie does have one aggressive tendency- he will take a finger with his treat if you don't say EASY! And even then you have to watch him. Just one of the things we are working on.
He will walk on the grass- if he needs to get to me. I'm not sure if he was never outside, or always outside, or if it is something else that makes him not like grass and not want to go outside. His foster mom told me he didn't like to go out by himself so its been going on for awhile.
Shanna, thanks for the encouraging words. He is really different at home- I see more of his goofy personality every day- so I know he will get better.
Karen
Here's another little tidbit for our adopters out there (myself included) that just feel like they are beating their heads against a wall. A Pit Bull Talk friend adiopted a golden retriever about 2 years ago. Lenny was a biter, had skin issues, and just generally looked unhappy. It is tough to deal with stubborn, but it it is a whole new world to deal with a biter. She decided he wasn't human aggressive, he was fear aggressive, and she set out to teach him trust. She is a tiny little lady, and not chance of manhandling him, so she bought a catchers mask, long leather gloves, and a muzzle. She never admitted to any of us how many times she got bit, but we all know it was more than once. It wasn't too long before she had the skin problem cleared up and Lenny was looking good. Months down the line, she gave the update we were all waiting for. Lenny no longer bites. He had learned to trust her, was now as happy a dog as you'd ever want to meet, and is absolutely beautiful. She has a great pet that fits into her other animal pack amazingly well. She and Lenny taught us all a lot about perseverance.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
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