Miley Found Her Bark & Tail - DRC Cross Post

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Miley is really starting to make progress.  We have been using a 25 ft lead outside.  Miley will now stop for you to pick it up, instead of running the other direction.  Once you have the lead in hand she will start walking toward you.  Miley will walk along with you loose leashed, instead of pulling away from you.  If Miley thinks we're going inside she will pull going toward the house.  If you are sitting on the steps outside or in the grass she will come up to you on her own, sniff, touch and back away.  Before she would stop about 6 feet away and not get any closer.  If you are holding the lead while sitting and say come.  She will come up and sit down by you touching your leg.  Miley will walk up on the deck now while outside with the other dogs and even drink out of the water dishes.

The door still scares her so she backs away from it, but as soon as it is open darts inside.  Once inside if you tell Miley to "wait" she will stop and let you walk up to unsnap the lead.  Before she would dart off to the couch or crate.  Now she moves away from you a few feet instead of darting off all the time.  Miley likes to sit on the couch next to you.   Once she is comfortable will stretch out or move closer to snuggle.  Before she would stay at the other end of the couch and any movement would jump off.  Sudden movements still bother her, but she doesn't always take off and will cringe instead. 

Up until a few days ago Miley really didn't move to far from the couch.  The couch and crate were her safe spots.  Miley has her tail up a lot more, instead of between her legs.  Lately she has been walking around investigating, lying on the floor, playing with toys and the other dogs. If you are sitting on the floor she will walk back/forth by you and then sit or lay down next to you.  Once Miley is comfortable she LOVES having your affection, sometimes licking or play biting you in return.  This morning I think Miley showed me her form of the ZOOMIES.  She was spinning around in circles chasing her tail.

Last night Miley wanted to have a doodle romp with Clover & Apollo for the first time.  She had bounced around before, but this was full speed type playing.  Not thinking at the time I took the lead off so she could enjoy herself.  When they were done I realized my safety net was gone, NO LEAD.  Yes, Miley has been coming up to me on her own more frequently under the right conditions, but it’s not 100% and takes time.  I needed to go to the bathroom and it was cold outside.  So I left the back door open and went inside thinking I'd get her in a minute.  When I came back to the kitchen she was standing on the deck looking at the door frame top to bottom.  Clover & Apollo were already inside lounging on the floor.  I decided to wait and see if Miley could come through the door on her own.  Since it was cold outside (40 degrees) no bugs to worry about.  I put my coat on, grabbed a blanket and sit on the couch to wait it out.  Clover on the other hand is not as patient and Apollo could care less.  Clover kept nudging me, then going in and out of the door.  So I finally decided to put Clover & Apollo in their crates.  After 25 minutes and several trips back/forth thru the door Miley was in the house and sitting on the couch with me.  YAY, MILEY!

This morning I'm feeling confident that Miley could do it again so outside with no lead.  I forgot to take into consideration that Lexi was up getting ready for school.  Plus my two year old granddaughter Olive was here for the week.  They were in bed the first time and Miley gets nervous around kids.  Which I'm beginning to believe it is not the kids, but instead the sudden movements and loudness.  Miley has been making a lot of progress even with Olive here.  Which I thought would be a problem.  Well Miley decide coming inside was not something she wanted to do with all the moving around getting ready for school.  After Lexi got on the bus Olive and I were in the living room.  Miley finally decides to come in and join me on the couch but first making a stop by Olive to sniff her which surprised me.  Then to surprise me even more Miley was okay with Olive coming over and standing next to the couch.  What's really funny is Olive is scared of dogs and Miley is scared of kids.

Oh, I almost forgot about the bark.  This morning while waiting for her to come inside Miley barked so loud at the back door she scared herself and darted of the deck.  We have a roof over our deck so all I can think of is her bark must have echoed.  I thought this might be a problem getting her back on the deck.  Instead she would come on the deck, bark, run off, come back and do it all over again until she was okay with it.

To some it may not seem like much progress but for Miley it has been huge step.  Miley' is going through her coat change and when she arrived was very matted.  Even though I could work the mats out on her back and sides.  It was too stressful for Miley to do her stomach, legs and tail.  We have been working on getting used to being brushed, but until then a haircut is easier for Miley.  Here are some updated photos showing Miley’ new haircut. 

 

Miley & Olive

 

Miley attacking a Skinneeez Skunk

 

Miley showing off her tail

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Great news Tina! So glad you are making progress.

[Leslie and Halas]

Thanks for the update.  She's making such great progress!  It's so sweet to see Miley and Olive help each other get over some of their fears.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

This is such a sweet blog! So much good news about Miley! And LOL when Miley barked herself off the deck!! So funny! Thanks for the update!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Tina, Thank you for the wonderful update about Miley. It sounds like she is making progress each day. Thank you for helping her. The pictures are adorable. I love the name Olive. Don't tell Olive's parents, but if I ever get a black female dog it is going to be named Olive (as in Black Olive)..LOL.

[Tessa, Ellie and Wheezy]

I had to back track and read about Miley......what a wonderful story!!!  When we brought Wheezy home....she was so sick and didn't want to cuddle....now she is the most loveable doodle!!!  I would love to have 1 more doodle.  :)

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Sounds like things are moving right along!  I must say both Miley and Olive are adorable!  Glad that they are learning to love each other!  Maybe Miley will be the one to bring Olive around to the dog loving side!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is such wonderful news! I've been thinking about this sweet girl and wondering how she was doing. Tina, you're doing such a great job with her.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Nice to hear all the progress and Miley and Olive are beautiful girls!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Congratulations, Tina. It sounds like you are doing an amazing job with Miley. Your little Olive is darling.