Welcome RAGOM Fans to ...
ALL STAR WRESTLING
It's really not as bad as it looks, in fact Nellie enjoys wrestling with our girl Pepper Anne. On rare occasions all three girls get going and it can get quite loud, but it's great exercise. Once the battle royal is done everyone finds their spot on the floor, bed or couch for nap time.
We have discovered Nellie can be possessive of the toy basket, which was surprising to us. When a foster first comes into our home we do not allow toys until they have had a couple days to settle in. Nellie and our girls were doing very well with some toys and there were no issues. Over a week had gone by without an incident so I thought I would try putting the toy basket down. Nellie immediately removed all the toys from the basket and laid down with her usual favorite. The problem happened when Josie walked past the toy basket. Nellie had no problem with the toys, but the basket must have represented something different. Nellie charged Josie. Needless to say, the toy basket was put up and all toys were taken away. Nellie was given a time out then reintroduced to Josie in a calm, submission state. Since that incident, Nellie has had to earn her toys back. We will work with the toy basket in a more controlled manner. Other than that, Nellie has done very well. I don't even consider that one issue to be too major.
After talking to Nellie's previous foster, I seems Nellie was allowed to run her original household (never a good idea). So we have been focusing on manners. When Nellie first came to us, she would knock her bowl over as if to say she was hungry and ready to eat. She has learned to wait for her breakfast and supper. It is a rule the girls must "sit" and "stay" before their bowl will be put down, then they must "wait" until they are told to "eat". Nellie will now wait quietly for her meal. Nellie was also pushy when she wanted something, she is learning to take turns. Our girls use a tie-out because we don't have a fence. Pepper Anne is always the first allowed out the door, Josie and Nellie have to sit and wait their turn. Josie is second and Nellie is doing great waiting in a sit and not pushing or bolting out the door. We did discover, Nellie will come right back to you when she is called...thank goodness. Not knowing the garage door was open, the girls were let into the garage to welcome mom home. All three girls ran past mom and headed for the street. Nellie came when called and ran right back into the house with her tail wagging. I'm not sure what Nellie would have done if another dog was walking by, but then, I'm not sure what our own girls would do either. We have been taking Nellie for walks using a gentle leader. If we see another dog, Nellie must sit and watch the other dog walk by. She has learned if she sits quiet we will continue our walk. It was noted, Nellie would jump or lunge at another dog while on her tie-out. The other day a dog went by while the girls were outside. Nellie started to bark, but FD walked out to her, took hold of the tie-out and told her "NO". Nellie immediately stopped. We have not had any problems with her jumping or lunging at another dog. I can't wait to take her to a RAGOM event to see how she handles it.
Nellie really needed a bath, but didn't like the idea of having one. It took a little bit for FM to convince this 73 pound girl bath time would be fun! Once I got her to the bathtub, having her step in was a breeze. When she was in the bath she was wonderful. She stands very still and will turn around when you ask. I have learned if I hold up a towel for long enough they will shake while they are still standing in the tub. Nellie has had many ear infections in the past, so we clean her ears with an OTC cleanser each week . . . so far so good. Nellie loves, loves, LOVES to be pet and snuggled.
Nellie was cat tested in her previous foster home and it doesn't sound like Nellie enjoyed the experience. I can't say for sure if she is okay with cats or not, we will have to see. Overall, Nellie is wonderful!! She is one of those fosters who could steal my heart.
If you think you would like to know more about our beautiful girl, please contact your Placement Advisor.
