Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sasha made her first vet visit this week for a general checkup.
Saturday is the first basic obedience class at Triple Crown Dog Acadamy (see http://www.triplecrowndogs.com/). The first class is
for dog owners only so Sasha will have to stay at home for this.
I will be writing a series of articles about Triple Crown and Sasha's training, with lots of pictures.

Sasha is definitely in that "bonding" mode and is really starting
to become "my" dog (sorry Jim, although I doubt she will forget you!) After 4 days she finally gathered the courage to jump up
in bed with me, and I finally started to get a few tongue licks
after a week of just wet nose kisses. She is definitely a hunter though, especially of cats (sorry Meowchatters!) She saw one
yesterday and bolted, popping the ring I had hooked the leash
too (actually straightened the metal ring out into 1 long thin
wire, which I couldn't have done with a hammer and pliers). She was 50 yards away before I had gathered my wits and tried to chase her down in my flip flops and bath robe.

Luckily the cat she was chasing found a bolt hole, she lost interest and came back, but I still felt like an idjit standing there in flip flops and a bath robe trying to remember that my
original intent was to walk the dog, not vise versa.

She also seems to have a problem with small barky dogs, and doesn't appear to be able to tell whether they are prey or other
dogs. If they aren't barky she is fine with them though.

Working on a minor potty training issue as well. 90% of the time
she goes outside during our walks, but she has slipped a few times. Per PHChristy's advice, I am giving her a refresher course
on potty training and hope to have the problem resolved in a week or so.

Other than that she is doing great, I on the other hand am worn out I can't wait to find a place to live with a big fenced back yard so that we both can get a little free time.

I'm so glad that Sasha returned to you with no injury...except to your feelings. Welcome to the world of sighthound ownership! They are definitely hunters, and RR's are somewhat considered both sighthound/scenthound. Anything small and furry are fair game to them and once they get on that hunting track, they are almost impossible to stop.

I'm glad she is bonding to you.

Good luck in your search for a new place to live. It is wonderful having a fenced in yard, but you still have to be careful with gates and small furry creatures getting in the fenced area.
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Melody/PHFasDog
Email me at PHFasDog

My furkids:
Shadow, Jadzia and Lyta.
Kira waiting the bridge.

Dogs come into our lives, and too quickly go leaving pawprints on our hearts, and we will never be quite the same again.

Jeff,

How wonderful you two are bonding so well.

That is a Ridgeback for you chasing anything, I see it I want it and it is mind. But if you notice there will be no lions in your neighbor.

I am thrilled to hear about the affection she is showing you. I think she has also found a good friend in you.

Cheryl/PHKeeper

Jeff - Glad to hear you & Sasha are bonding and she's beginning to settle in! The cats are totally prey as far most Ridgebacks are concerned and definately where Miss Sasha is concerned. Cats = small lions in her mind. If the regular collar or harness isn't working or you're finding it difficult to use, give a martingale collar a try - especially if she's really pulling like you described on a regular basis. The martingale will act in a similar fashion to a traditional choke collar (it will tighten and give her pause for a second) without putting quite so much direct force against the ring & hook of the leash and without doing the damage that an actual choke chain does to the dog. This may give you just that split second of leverage and time to get her attention and get a grip on her as she starts that bolt BEFORE the loop or leash gives out next time. The martingale style collars are also known as "Premier Collars" and Petco sells their own brand name version in their stores as well and they run about $9 to $14 each. (I use them on all my RRs and my Dobermans and we've had good luck with the Anatolian and Great Pyr foster dogs on the martingales also)

As to the house training issues - it's normal to see some regression in a newly adopted rescue dog at this stage. Sometimes the dogs "forget" or regress in basic training or behaviors the first 4 to 6 weeks in their new homes. (Not all of them and some times it lasts longer or shorter than with other dogs, just depends on the individual dog) I would not worry too much about this just yet. It's obnoxious, I know. And it can develop into an ongoing problem if you don't get it under control right away, but normally this behavior will curb and go away pretty quickly as the dog settles into the new enviornment and routine. There's a factor of nervous energy involved in learning about the new home, the new smells, new animals around, new people, new rules, new routines, etc etc etc and the most common thing I have heard over the years is the house soiling complaint. On the positive side - 99% of the dogs get back into form and stop doing it pretty fast! Plus you've got a great support network for help and tips.

Jeran and the Heathens
Central Texas Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue
Temple, Texas

Hi Jeff!

I just saw that the RR board had some activity and had to come take a look!

Welcome to the world of sighthounds!

I have a 9 year old ridgeless RR mix that I rescued from a pound 8 years ago. Unlike you though I had NO CLUE what I was getting in for. I didn't find out about RR's until about 2 years later when I happened to run across one in a PetSmart.

Sasha will teach you all sorts of new things.

She is a georgeous girl and I can't wait to read your updates!!

.
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tabitha
LaVie, Kayo and Kahla