Update on the Adventures of Bella

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

It's been about a month since I have posted about my dear Bella, and it's time to finally add more thoughts on her progress so she doesn't get a reputation as  BAD DOG BELLA.

So here are the things I am grateful for today:

1. The carpet is totally intact.

2. I have trash in my bathroom trash cans and it stays there.

3. All socks in our drawers have partners, matching ones at that..

4. I can drop something and not have to do summersaults to get to it before her anymore!

5. We can leave a book, newspaper or magazine out and still be able to read it later, in one piece.

6. She has not eaten a morsel of poop in AT LEAST a month, so she now can give us doodlekisses!!!

7. She will come sit by me and just be. Not need a rub NOW, or need to play ball, or need to go out. Just BE with me.

8. We can actually drive for at least 20 minutes before an upchuck.

9. Her come, leave it, uh-uh's, back-up, stays and off are very reliable. (95% of the time)

10, People can come to the door and not be attacked, jumped on or all their makeup licked off their faces!

 

So Bella is making great progress and even though there are still days we have to have a girl to girl talk about taking my clothes out of the bedroom and strewing them through the house, they are no longer chewed to threads! 

She ain't so BAD after all, I think I'll keep her. :)

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Woo Hoo Bella!!!! She is becoming the Princess that we always knew she was!! I'm so happy for you guys!!

Sue, you know I have some neighbors whose puppy is having the number 6 issue! Any tips??

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Wow!  That's incredible progress.  Do you want to come to my house and work on Sedona and the not jumping on people who've come to visit?  It's getting better, but we have more work to do!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thank you Ellen, She is a cutie.  Tessa - I had them sit-stay at the door, then I went to open it. If they budged, I closed it and told them to sit-stay and started again, until I could open the door all the way and they stayed until I released them. Then I did it with a girlfriend who came over and rang the doorbell, who has a doodle too so she was not only patient, but they know she = doodle time. They only messed up once and I had to reclose the door. Then I released them with an OK, say HI, but if they tried to jump, a knee went up and they were told to sit again and only got petted if their butt was on the floor. Bella only got a knee in her chest once before she realized that wasn't working for her. She wasn't hurt, just surprised to meet resistance.

It took only about 6 attempts during one week's time and several different people at the door. They also know to wait for me to go through the door first, so I work on lot on the door issues. Hope that helps. They are so smart

[Tessa, Ellie and Wheezy]

What a great puppy!!!!    So how did you do number 10?  LOL.....my doodles are 1 & 2 years and they jump and attack people when they come over.......they get so excited!!!  

[Ellen, Brûlée, and Tira]

Not easy, but so-o-o-o worth it, huh?  Bella is not only smart, but she is beautiful, as well!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Thanks Allyson, It honestly was touch and go there for awhile. I never doubted myself so much with Murphy, but she had me in a tailspin some days. My breeder is awesome, but I did not want to have that "re-homing" converstaion with her as she would feel as bad for Bella as I would. Bella has put quite the strain on our home, our patience and even my marriage at times.  It's not all butterflies and angels singing with a 2nd and everyone should know that going into it.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Way to go Bella girl!!!! I love how honest you have been about your 2nd dood.  ANd I am glad she is a keeper :)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

nancy, the door thing was amazingly quick for her, but then Murphy already had that down, so she just mimicked his behavior. We just dog sat for two other dogs, one doodle and one shepherd mix that bark like crazy when their garage door goes up, but since our two didn't they also didn't while here the whole week. They do feed off eachother

[Carol and Banjo]

Bella Bella Bella!!!!!     Sounds like someone has been working diligently with beautiful Bella!  

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

She's a keeper! Glad she is so improved-must ahve had a great trainer!!!