Progress

[grizabella]

As it's the beginning of a new year, I'm looking back and realising how far Bella's come in the time she's been a part of the family.

When Bella first arrived she hated car rides with a passion and wouldn't allow herself to get comfortable, just standing up and shaking. She's gotten so much more comfortable in the car and is happy to lie down in the back. Now she even gets excited when she's led to the car!

To start with, walks were an issue too, Bella never enjoyed them and would constantly stop (meaning I often had to carry her across roads for safety!) and was very eager to get home. After lots of encouragement, treats and patience, she improved, especially after we moved house. These days she loves her walks and gets so excited when she sees the walking gear come out, it makes me so happy! ;D Bel can be a bit of a puller, which I'm working on, but I'm pleased that she feels happy enough on her walks to be so enthusiastic about them.

The biggest problem that Bel had was separation anxiety. Initially we'd been leaving her in just one room, which resulted in whining, howling, great scratches in doors and a ripped up carpet. Upon advice, I tried getting her comfortable in a crate, which she was fine with for very short bursts, but when I left her to go out she got very distressed.
After reading a helpful book, I wondered if Bella was getting more stressed because she felt trapped and enclosed, and we tried leaving her for a few minutes with the run of half the house. This was much more successful, and we gradually increased the time she was left. There were a few steps backwards, where she'd howl when left only for about ten minutes but we slowly got there.
Luckily, there is usually someone home so there was no rush to get her used to being alone for periods. The other day we were out for five hours, and came home to a happy Bella, who'd been snoozing the day away and playing with her toys. I'm so relieved that her separation issues have almost completely disappeared, and I'm sure she's much happier now too, now she's realised that we are in fact coming back to her.

I think Bella's had a great first year of life, we are looking forward to seeing what the second will bring!


Bella's grown up quite a bit since we got her:
Then...

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...and now!

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[Gazinghound]

It's so wonderful to see them grow--physically, mentally, emotionally! Congratulations on all of the achievements and successes are due to Miss Bella (and to her mum!) It's funny, I too was reflecting a great deal today as I browsed through all of Ulla's photos, from 2006 to now. (I was looking for more calendar contest contenders, and have wound up with over 200 good choices. ;D)
It's amazing how much she's grown and how much we've already been through together, even though it feels like so short a time. She's been my friend throughout a very important and pivotal period of my life, and continues to be. Her puppy days feel like only yesterday. :*}

Bella's progress is all wonderful to hear. Ulla was exactly the same way with cars, and she's still not typically thrilled about getting in one unless we're out somewhere and she's eager to get back home, I too always feel a sense of accomplishment once a problem has been overcome (i.e., the puking on every car ride!)

Good work on curing the separation anxiety; sounds as though you've used some good, sound, sensitive training methods. That was a big obstacle.
I feel lucky that Ulla has always been good about being alone. She'll whine a bit and walk around looking for people at first, but quickly gets over it and isn't destructive. She probably even teases Rusty about us never coming back, but at least he isn't too destructive around the house. As long as I close my door and protect important things, he mostly just makes a bit of a slobbery, hairy, paw-prints-on-the-dining-room-table and nose-marks-on-the-windows mess. A few plushies may be found on the floor and need spot-cleaning. Fortunately we usually have at least one person home, too.

Jack will need to stay in his crate while we're gone for some time more...eventually we can leave him out as well, but perhaps restrict him with gates. His small size alone allows him to squeeze into places he shouldn't be, and can get him into trouble.

[grizabella]

It's so lovely to see how much she's grown and changed, it makes me feel like I must be doing something right! I must have what it takes to be a Saluki person! I'm especially pleased with how well she's improved with her separation anxiety, it was very stressful at times. As I'll be going to uni full time this year, it's likely she'll be on her own more, though Mum's still working from home so will usually be around, so it's such a relief that she's not bothered by it anymore.

[Gazinghound]

Exactly! That's the greatest feeling! I had always hoped that I'd be able to earn the love, respect, and devotion of such a special creature.
Aww, I'm really proud of you guys--especially you, Bels! You'll be able to handle being on your own, or having your mum away...just like my pooches, you'll see that we always come back 'cause we love ya!
It has been great watching her mature and grow through photos & videos. ^^