January 28, 2003
4:00 p.m.
Okay, now we're getting somewhere! Specifically, to the hockey rink (with the dog) and to Tim Horton's (without the dog).
Last night, I packed Dusty up in her doggy bag (improvised dog carrier) and we went to Bolton Arena to watch my hockey team play. I wasn't ready to leave her alone just yet and I wanted my team mates to meet her (and more importantly, for Dusty to meet them). One of my dog training books advises that during socialization, dogs should be exposed to "strange looking people, big people, people in weird hats." I think a fully equipped hockey player fulfills that need very nicely! She was frightened at first, but was fine.
Last night was a wake-up call for me. I really don't want to be housebound for weeks and my dog needs to learn how to be alone as soon as possible. Since I was already working on short-term confinement, the next logical step seemed to be leaving the apartment for short durations. I did this a few times this morning and finally, with a sense of freedom and exhilaration in my wake, I left for 45 minutes and ran some errands (and picked up a donut at Tim Horton's). I came home to a quiet dog. Hallelujah!
The housetraining is going well. Dusty continues to potty on a rough schedule and there have been no accidents. She has cottoned on to the fact that peeing gets her a liver-treat. She pees almost every time we go out now, even if it's only a tiny bit, then looks up expectantly for her treat.
She regularly sits on command and I've started working on sit-stay. She's a very smart dog and a gentle one. I'm enjoying her very much.