Adoption Update: Beagan

Hi Katy,

Just giving you an update. Beagan is much better with me. Thanks for the advice about not leaning in, that really worked. He finally figured out that I am not a threat and I can bend over with him now with no cowering. We have been spending lots of time at the park. We are learning all kinds of things. We have been playing frizbee and fetch. We play tug with a rope. We learned how to lay down, sit and stay. There is some confusion between sit and lay down but those will get better with time. I take him up to one of the lesser crowded parks and tie him off to a tree with a 100ft rope and we run around and play and learn. One of our games is getting him to lay down and stay while I walk across the field. Most of the time he stays there until I call him over. He is a very quick learner.

He does not pee or poop in the house on purpose anymore. We had one peeing incident when he first got in the house and a pooping incident a few days later but he has not done that since. We have him on a schedule and we are giving him the positive reinforcement for going outside. Now he only pees when he gets excited or if he thinks he is in trouble. It might be the schedule but he seems to have grasped the words “pee” and “poop”. When we take him out we have been saying go pee or go poop repetitively….. and it seems to me that he pretty much does it on command now. I did not expect that to work so quickly. The nervous peeing is getting better. At first he we could hardly say no to him at all without him cowering and peeing but now we can correct him without him taking it so hard. I think he is starting to understand we are not going to hurt him even if we are not happy with something he has done. The peeing when he gets excited is still an issue but that is getting better also. He shows constant signs of improvement as he starts to get more familiar with us.

I have to admit I was a little dubious when we first started dealing with MABCR. Especially when we discovered we would not have much say in the dog we were offered. I have to admit though that your process worked for us. Beagan is a perfect fit. He is so affectionate and his energy level is just right. He is energetic during play time and calm when play time over. Also Abby has accepted him and they constantly play Bitey Face Smackdown whenever they get together. He is a perfect addition. We have Abby on a diet now and hope to get her nice and trim again. Beagan is starting to fill out a little. He is at one cup for breakfast and one at dinner. We have a vet appointment coming up and we will be able to adjust his portions depending on what the Vet has to say. We thank you for your help and advice. I have attached a picture of Beagan at the park.

Hope all is well with you guys!

Eric