CHAI'S STORY - ONE TRAINER'S ACCOUNT

a 180

2009-06-09T14:58:00.003-06:00

At my latest visit with Chai, we were doing some free shaping and wow! Chai's whole body is 4 feet off the ground, she flips her body around doing a 180 in the air and lands happily wagging her tail in front of me! I couldn't believe it. I couldn't have taught her that trick any better than she just came up with on her own. Dogs are truly amazing when we give them a chance to show us what they can do. I so wished I had a video camera at that moment.

If you are not familiar with free shaping, it is a method of training using a clicker where the dog gets to offer behaviors for me to click and reward. This method is brilliant for getting a shy, fearful dog to build confidence and come out of her shell. In other training sessions, Chai has learned to crawl, bow, tap you with her paw, back up and now...do a 180 in the air! Using this method, we can really see what individual dog's are capable of and what they like to do. We have such fun with our shaping sessions and she is regularly coming up with great new behaviors.

I'm not sure Chai has met a small dog before. During our time, a small dog was out for his play time in the play yard next to us. He was a fluffy, wiggly little guy and Chai stood looking curiously at him. She wasn't sure what to do with him. She loved chasing and playing with one of the dog's she lived with in her foster home. I think she misses that.

It is so hard to believe that a dog like her is sitting at a boarding kennel and has not found her forever home. Again, I have to drive away and leave her there. No matter how many times I visit, still breaks my heart every time.

wallflower

2009-05-19T14:39:00.007-06:00

I walk down the narrow, dark walkway. Kennel after kennel on one side, concrete wall on the other. A few dim lights reveal the boarders that look up at me hopeful that it's their turn to go home. At this point, Chai doesn't get a turn.

Almost 2 months since Chai has been at the boarding kennel. Two months that no one can touch her, play with her, walk her. She is strategically placed so that her kennel door can be open for her to run to the play yard and run back inside without an issue. It's good management on their part. They ask if there are any interests in her and I sadly shake my head.

Chai has been a wallflower since she was born. She was originally named Shy. Dogs born fearful and timid can make great strides in gaining confidence and getting used to new things, especially when they are puppies. Chai, like so many other dogs out there, missed out on socialization at that critical time in her life. That's not to say that she can't get more confident, it just won't be as quick. Anytime you are dealing with a shy, fearful dog, the most important thing to remember is that trust must be earned. Earning it can take time and is different for every dog. Chai hasn't had much opportunity to learn to trust, which is what she needs.

I enjoy our short time together, even though it breaks my heart to leave her there.

A Visit with Chai

2009-05-13T11:44:00.002-06:00

As I waited for the kennel worker to put dogs away and clean the play yard for Chai and I, I spotted her. She was bouncing off the ground to see over the kennel to where I was standing. She had heard my voice and was jumping in excitement. She is such an athletic girl. I was excited to see her too!

She ran into the play yard and I followed. She play bowed and bounced around with made me so happy. In my bag was her favorite treat - cheese! And not just any cheese, mozzarella and monterey jack. I sat in the shade and she happily joined me for some lovin'. It was apparent she had not been touched since the last time I saw her. She immediately turned her body into me to rub her back and leaned in. A quick kiss on the chin and she sat down beside me. Her fur was flying off her body and I could see dandruff in her coat, all signs of stress. We sat for awhile and just enjoyed each other's company.

Kennel workers with hoses walked by and she quickly moved away from me, keeping a keen eye on the hose. I think she has experience with that hose. To see her move away from the workers each time they come near the outside run only reiterates to me the fact that she needs out of here. The kennel is wonderful to keep her for us and to care for her, but she needs to be in a home. She doesn't deserve this.

Chai is such a doll; a sweet, misunderstood girl. She trusts me, but that's because we have built a relationship over the last year. She just needs a chance. Someone that understands her for who she is, lets her move at her own pace and that she can trust to love her forever. That is my sincere hope for Chai.

As my visit went on, her shedding decreased and the dandruff went away. She was calming down and enjoying herself. We played, trained, but mostly sat together as I rubbed her back. Chai gave me lots of kisses throughout the visit, her gratitude for my visit reinforced the fact that I need to be there for her. When it was time to leave, I gave her a bull stick to chew on and said good-bye to her sad face as I walked away from her kennel.

As I drove away, tears filled my eyes. I hate to have to leave her. I can't take her into my home, but there are things I can do for her. So I decided to start this blog. I'm determined to find a home and not just a home, but a great home, for Chai.