1-16-10 Cam went to his new home today. He was so excited to meet his new mom, he loved her the minute he saw her.
CAM
I don't even know where to start, i guess thank you, thank you, thank you is a good place! Cam is wonderful we haven't had ANY problems, first off he was wonderful the whole ride home just slept like an angel. He LOVES Jeremy they warmed up right away, hes still being more of a mamas boy but he listens very well to both of us. He really attached to me, follows me from room to room, cries when i close a door or go outside without him but his anxiety of me leaving doesn't last long he soon settles down.
Since coming home on Saturday we have gone for 6 walks, yes 6! He LOVES walks literally shoves his head into the collar ready to go. And i have to tell you, this is AMAZING to me but he is wonderful on walks, i do use the pinch collar but rarely have to apply pressure, he walks wonderfully at my side and is learning whats expected of him like that he has to sit at all intersections while we wait for cars and that hes not allowed to approach other walkers and/or there dogs. He shows no aggression to other walkers or their dogs, after a few corrections hes learning that walks are a blast. I confidently feel completely in control when on walks i don't worry about him being too much for me, hes learned that I'm boss and responds well to my commands.
I told you that I'm big on training and the training started the minute Cam entered our house. Hes learning not to bark when people come to the house (and doing incredibly well) and to sit when they enter the house and wait for them to approach him. He jumped up once since being here and after getting corrected has not done it or tried to do it again. Now he sits nicely when new people enter and waits for them to come to him, his tail does some thumping but hes proven to be very calm and willing to learn.
He hasn't counter surfed at all and keeps away from the garbage and our dinner when its on the table, when were eating he usually just curls up on his bed in the living room and naps. Hes adjusted fine to the kibble and loves his new toys and bed. He gets goofy and playful with his stuffed animals and its so funny to watch his puppy attitude, he loves when Jeremy wrestles with him or chases him. Were keeping him up on sit, stay, down and shake, he knows when we tell him to "go lay down" it means he has to go to his bed.
Yesterday was Jeremy's birthday so a lot of family was randomly stopping over, i was a little worried about all the commotion, but Cam did wonderful! I kept a close eye on him and kept his leash on just in case and he did the same thing every time; let people approach him, pet him a little then he loses interest and curls up on his bed or lays down with his Cong to chew. We have learned also that we can close him in the bedroom if needed and he does fine, just curls up on our bed and naps until someone comes and opens the door, no crying or scratching at the door. We did this when Jeremy's sister stopped in and brought her 2yr old son, we just aren't ready to introduce him to babies yet.
He has two nice big beds one in the living room and one in the bedroom and he loves them, hes not allowed on the furniture and its not a problem for him he doesn't seem to care. We invited him up on the bed with us Sunday morning and he was so happy to be squished between us and getting all the attention. Attention is definitely not lacking here for him he is SPOILED already but he knows whats expected of him and he listens to us wonderfully.
The only odd reaction we've seen out of him is when bicyclists ride by the house, theres something he doesn't like about bikes. He gets all worked up and sounds like he'll kill someone, we can try to correct him but he doesn't respond, as soon as the bikes out of sight he calms down. Were going to work with him on this, i have a bike and I'm going to slowly introduce him to it and let him smell it and check it out for himself.
Saturday night we took him to the farm and he LOVED the cows, he wanted to show them all who was boss, he barked and bounced around like a puppy ready to pounce, but if a cow got close to him he hid behind Jeremy and cried. We laughed so hard! He loves being out and going for car rides and walks, hes so wide eyed and excited, i have a feeling he hasn't done a lot of walks or car rides in his past because he acts like its brand new to him. He listens very well so I'm not afraid to take him places because i know he will listen to me and i can control him. Hes head up, tail wagging, wide eyed and prancing when we go places, hes so happy to be exposed to new things and to be part of a family. He loves to cuddle with us and always wants to be touched and kissed, i know its only been two days but i think its safe to say were all in love and attached. Jeremy keeps saying over and over how happy he is that we pursued the organization and were able to adopt him, he fits in PERFECT here.
Thank you so much for giving us this chance and bringing Cam into our lives.
Amanda
Since coming home on Saturday we have gone for 6 walks, yes 6! He LOVES walks literally shoves his head into the collar ready to go. And i have to tell you, this is AMAZING to me but he is wonderful on walks, i do use the pinch collar but rarely have to apply pressure, he walks wonderfully at my side and is learning whats expected of him like that he has to sit at all intersections while we wait for cars and that hes not allowed to approach other walkers and/or there dogs. He shows no aggression to other walkers or their dogs, after a few corrections hes learning that walks are a blast. I confidently feel completely in control when on walks i don't worry about him being too much for me, hes learned that I'm boss and responds well to my commands.
I told you that I'm big on training and the training started the minute Cam entered our house. Hes learning not to bark when people come to the house (and doing incredibly well) and to sit when they enter the house and wait for them to approach him. He jumped up once since being here and after getting corrected has not done it or tried to do it again. Now he sits nicely when new people enter and waits for them to come to him, his tail does some thumping but hes proven to be very calm and willing to learn.
He hasn't counter surfed at all and keeps away from the garbage and our dinner when its on the table, when were eating he usually just curls up on his bed in the living room and naps. Hes adjusted fine to the kibble and loves his new toys and bed. He gets goofy and playful with his stuffed animals and its so funny to watch his puppy attitude, he loves when Jeremy wrestles with him or chases him. Were keeping him up on sit, stay, down and shake, he knows when we tell him to "go lay down" it means he has to go to his bed.
Yesterday was Jeremy's birthday so a lot of family was randomly stopping over, i was a little worried about all the commotion, but Cam did wonderful! I kept a close eye on him and kept his leash on just in case and he did the same thing every time; let people approach him, pet him a little then he loses interest and curls up on his bed or lays down with his Cong to chew. We have learned also that we can close him in the bedroom if needed and he does fine, just curls up on our bed and naps until someone comes and opens the door, no crying or scratching at the door. We did this when Jeremy's sister stopped in and brought her 2yr old son, we just aren't ready to introduce him to babies yet.
He has two nice big beds one in the living room and one in the bedroom and he loves them, hes not allowed on the furniture and its not a problem for him he doesn't seem to care. We invited him up on the bed with us Sunday morning and he was so happy to be squished between us and getting all the attention. Attention is definitely not lacking here for him he is SPOILED already but he knows whats expected of him and he listens to us wonderfully.
The only odd reaction we've seen out of him is when bicyclists ride by the house, theres something he doesn't like about bikes. He gets all worked up and sounds like he'll kill someone, we can try to correct him but he doesn't respond, as soon as the bikes out of sight he calms down. Were going to work with him on this, i have a bike and I'm going to slowly introduce him to it and let him smell it and check it out for himself.
Saturday night we took him to the farm and he LOVED the cows, he wanted to show them all who was boss, he barked and bounced around like a puppy ready to pounce, but if a cow got close to him he hid behind Jeremy and cried. We laughed so hard! He loves being out and going for car rides and walks, hes so wide eyed and excited, i have a feeling he hasn't done a lot of walks or car rides in his past because he acts like its brand new to him. He listens very well so I'm not afraid to take him places because i know he will listen to me and i can control him. Hes head up, tail wagging, wide eyed and prancing when we go places, hes so happy to be exposed to new things and to be part of a family. He loves to cuddle with us and always wants to be touched and kissed, i know its only been two days but i think its safe to say were all in love and attached. Jeremy keeps saying over and over how happy he is that we pursued the organization and were able to adopt him, he fits in PERFECT here.
Thank you so much for giving us this chance and bringing Cam into our lives.
Amanda
Jan 28-10
Just wanted to update you on Cam, hes doing wonderfully here. We have seen him with small children and cats which were his two restrictions and so now we know what to expect. He wants to chase cats and has tunnel vision when a cat is around, he doesn't listen or respond to us at all, however when he went for the cat it hissed and scratched him in the face, after crying and running away like a baby he wanted nothing to do with the cat anymore. We do lock him in the bedroom when small children are around, hes fine with them if they keep there distance but if they approach him quickly he will snap at them. Hes getting better with other dogs, small ones still get him excited but i can easily shift his attention away from them and i have complete control.
Walks are still his favorite thing, he waits for me to get home and cries if we skip a block or two and shorten our walk due to weather. Hes kind of a cry baby, he stands over us and whines and whines when he wants attention. But hes quickly learned that barking at everyone and thing that walks by is not allowed and that he has to let visitors approach him when they enter the house. When Jeremy and i are around he knows hes not allowed on the furniture unless invited but lately at night he leaves the bedroom after we fall asleep and we find him downstairs sleeping on the couch. I'm not sure if its maybe warmer downstairs or if he just likes having the couch all to himself. He has very strong guard dog behaviors so maybe he prefers to be near the door at night?
Anyways every things going great, hes very happy and so are we, he started spending time with my parents last week so now hes getting out lots, riding in cars, meeting new people, etc. He definitely knows that this is home and we are his people. He gets lots of attention and hugs and kisses everyday.
April 2010
Hello Ann!
Sorry its been so long since i sent you an update, i have all wonderful news to share. Things have really turned around for the better (i like to blame the nice weather). Cam has greatly improved, we have even been able to let him off leash with close supervision of course. During some of the warmer days late last month and earlier this month we took him to a local lake an learned that he LOVES to swim, he is a wonderful swimmer and entertains himself for hours in the water. My father and i worked hard with him off leash on his commands and now we fully trust Cam off leash he knows "come", "stay", "back", "sit", "go potty", all of which is wonderful because we can let him out into the unfenced back yard off leash and tell him "go potty" and he does right away and then say "come" and he immediately comes to us and if a neighbor or someone approaches to talk we just tell Cam "back" and he retreats to behind Jeremy or i, that way hes not approaching people and scaring them or catching them off guard.
I think hes turned a corner and realized that this is his forever home and he wants to have our approval and love so hes aiming to please. We still walk daily and he does great as usual on those walks. He's also much better with other dogs, still pays too much attention to them but we are able to break his concentration on them and keep him moving without him turning around or looking back. I'm not sure its so much of a territorial thing anymore as a lonely/wants to play thing. The other day a neighbor dog was running the property line two yards away and Cam was off leash in the back yard with me and he stopped and watched the other dog but didn't bark or growl and the hair on his back and neck didn't stand up, instead he made a whining sound and crouched down playfully in a pounce position. As soon as i called him back to play ball he came running back to me ready to play, unconcerned about the other dog.
Since being off leash we've seen a new side to Cam he runs and jumps and plays, he knows how to fetch and loves to carry around sticks and balls, he roll on his back in the grass, he lays on the porch in the sun and sleeps while i sit and read or Jeremy and i grill out. Hes so much a part of our family i couldn't imagine life without him anymore. He has developed a little arthritis in his back legs, the vet says its not bad yet but suggested a daily vitamin, he doesn't come upstairs much anymore but there's not much for him upstairs anyways.
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to bring Cam into our lives, its been a bumpy road but hes brought us true joy and happiness!
Amanda, Jeremy & Cam
Just wanted to update you on Cam, hes doing wonderfully here. We have seen him with small children and cats which were his two restrictions and so now we know what to expect. He wants to chase cats and has tunnel vision when a cat is around, he doesn't listen or respond to us at all, however when he went for the cat it hissed and scratched him in the face, after crying and running away like a baby he wanted nothing to do with the cat anymore. We do lock him in the bedroom when small children are around, hes fine with them if they keep there distance but if they approach him quickly he will snap at them. Hes getting better with other dogs, small ones still get him excited but i can easily shift his attention away from them and i have complete control.
Walks are still his favorite thing, he waits for me to get home and cries if we skip a block or two and shorten our walk due to weather. Hes kind of a cry baby, he stands over us and whines and whines when he wants attention. But hes quickly learned that barking at everyone and thing that walks by is not allowed and that he has to let visitors approach him when they enter the house. When Jeremy and i are around he knows hes not allowed on the furniture unless invited but lately at night he leaves the bedroom after we fall asleep and we find him downstairs sleeping on the couch. I'm not sure if its maybe warmer downstairs or if he just likes having the couch all to himself. He has very strong guard dog behaviors so maybe he prefers to be near the door at night?
Anyways every things going great, hes very happy and so are we, he started spending time with my parents last week so now hes getting out lots, riding in cars, meeting new people, etc. He definitely knows that this is home and we are his people. He gets lots of attention and hugs and kisses everyday.
April 2010
Hello Ann!
Sorry its been so long since i sent you an update, i have all wonderful news to share. Things have really turned around for the better (i like to blame the nice weather). Cam has greatly improved, we have even been able to let him off leash with close supervision of course. During some of the warmer days late last month and earlier this month we took him to a local lake an learned that he LOVES to swim, he is a wonderful swimmer and entertains himself for hours in the water. My father and i worked hard with him off leash on his commands and now we fully trust Cam off leash he knows "come", "stay", "back", "sit", "go potty", all of which is wonderful because we can let him out into the unfenced back yard off leash and tell him "go potty" and he does right away and then say "come" and he immediately comes to us and if a neighbor or someone approaches to talk we just tell Cam "back" and he retreats to behind Jeremy or i, that way hes not approaching people and scaring them or catching them off guard.
I think hes turned a corner and realized that this is his forever home and he wants to have our approval and love so hes aiming to please. We still walk daily and he does great as usual on those walks. He's also much better with other dogs, still pays too much attention to them but we are able to break his concentration on them and keep him moving without him turning around or looking back. I'm not sure its so much of a territorial thing anymore as a lonely/wants to play thing. The other day a neighbor dog was running the property line two yards away and Cam was off leash in the back yard with me and he stopped and watched the other dog but didn't bark or growl and the hair on his back and neck didn't stand up, instead he made a whining sound and crouched down playfully in a pounce position. As soon as i called him back to play ball he came running back to me ready to play, unconcerned about the other dog.
Since being off leash we've seen a new side to Cam he runs and jumps and plays, he knows how to fetch and loves to carry around sticks and balls, he roll on his back in the grass, he lays on the porch in the sun and sleeps while i sit and read or Jeremy and i grill out. Hes so much a part of our family i couldn't imagine life without him anymore. He has developed a little arthritis in his back legs, the vet says its not bad yet but suggested a daily vitamin, he doesn't come upstairs much anymore but there's not much for him upstairs anyways.
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to bring Cam into our lives, its been a bumpy road but hes brought us true joy and happiness!
Amanda, Jeremy & Cam
