Day 1: Bringing Chopper Home

Today we brought home Chopper.  I had to go alone without Greg as he was in a meeting.  Boy was that an ordeal.  Chopper was freaked out at the change in schedule already, I could tell when I took him outside the front of the building and to the parking lot he was very unsure.  Then I took him to the back of our vehicle.  A brief spark--he was excited for one split second--and then poof back to fear.  I couldn't coax him into the back of the car, even with treats so I ended up having to pick him up and put him in there.  I hated forcing him, but he had to get home, and I was without help.

Thank goodness it was a short drive because Chopper was all over the car.  From the way back of our SUV, to the backseat, to the front seat. I opened a back window hoping the smells coming in from outside would lure him to one place, but this scent hound was too keyed up.  Here he is in the front seat of the car (having just jumped from the way back) looking at the shelter as we drive away:

We arrived in my neighborhood and I parked up the street near a little grassy area.  Greg dashed home from his meeting to get Kolohe, our golden retriever mix, so we could have them re-meet on neutral territory.  Chopper, who had been docile on his leash in the shelter was pulling all over the place. Overstimulated in every way he was really having troubles.  I set my car alarm without thinking, the beep made him jump and try to run away.  Luckily I have strong arms and hands and held firm to his leash. 


The two dogs met up with no issues.  We walked them home. Chopper doesn't know how to do stairs and we have 6 or so steps to get into the house.  It took some coaxing but he made it inside.  The second we closed to door he went back to it, clearly not happy with this arrangement.  We took off his leash and gave him space.  He explored the first floor, going up to Kolohe here and there until she had enough and gave him a warning growl.  He speaks "dog" pretty well and left her alone after that. Before long Chopper had discovered a blanket we'd put out for him outside of a crate.  He settled into it and barely budged from it the rest of the day:

We tried to get him to take treats, but again, too anxious, and it's clear he shuts down when he's anxious.  I left him alone. Ok, that's not entirely true, I went into the kitchen and started to do dishes, softly singing.  He started to relax and I watched him from the next room, continuing to sing until his sweet head finally hit the blanket.  Is there anything sweeter then a hound dog sleeping on a Sponge Bob blanket?

I stayed home the rest of the day while Greg went to work.  Chopper has already picked up on the term "outside," which is were we where when Greg's car pulled into the driveway out front.  Chopper heard the sound and instead of fear, I saw another spark of excitement.  He trotted inside and to the front door to meet Greg!  Then of course quickly retreated.  Still, a good sign (and did it ever make Greg's day).

We worked some clicker training with Chopper, asking him to come to us and clicking and treating.  We were only a foot away, but after each click, I'd move back another foot and ask him to repeat.  When he had enough, he'd turn away, and then go back to his blanket.  Not long after as Greg and I were talking he got back up and came to us on his own, another spark in his eyes!  A quick pet he felt some confidence and started exploring a little more. the day ended with our infrared trashcan opening up as he approached, he got spooked and retreated to his blanket.  Then Kolohe tried to root around his blanket for lost treats as he was laying on it. He issued a low warning growl, she ignore him until we instructed her to back off.  Nothing aggressive on his part, I got the feeling he was discovering his own boundaries and voice.  Or he was ultra sensitive from the recent freak out.  Either way, it was a busy day with a lot of promise!

Kolohe is adjusting, but it is hard for her too.  She was definitely happy with all the treats she was getting (we were clicker training any positive interaction with Chopper), but later I saw her stressed and giving herself a time out, panting. We'll have to keep tabs on how she's doing, making sure that this stays a positive experience for both dogs.