Adoption Update: Beagan

Hey Katy!

Beagan is doing WONDERFULLY!! He is such a source of joy for Eric and me. He is a very different dog than you will remember, however. He has gained a little weight, so he is no longer just a little bag of bones, his coat is black, shiny and long, and his energy levels have skyrocketed. He is still very lovey-dovey and affectionate; he just steals everyone's heart! Though it took us over a year (yes, a year), we finally have a handle on the peeing issue. It turned out to be an emotional issue rather than a behavioral issue. But his confidence is growing more and more every day, and I smile to think about where he will be a year from now. His growing confidence has also enabled him to be in the presence of men without feeling the need to be defensive, and has allowed him to interact with other dogs in a healthy way.

We have been doing obedience training with him (not for show, just for structure and fun), and he has taken to it beautifully. He is so intelligent, and is a very fast learner. I think the sky is the limit with this little guy!

He gets to see his best friend, Abby, at least 4-5 days a week, and his presence has changed both of their lives. Abby has dropped 5 pounds and is so healthy and vibrant that the vet cannot believe that she is 10 years old. I think that Abby has helped him with all of his issues by just loving him and being his favorite playmate. They are awesome together.

So, overall, we just love having him around, and, dare I say, I think he loves being around us. He has come so far in the year and a half that he's been a part of our family, and I think he is just going to make us happier and happier every day that goes by.

Attached are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure. Thanks for checking in on him!

Jackie

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

Adoption Update: Beagan

Beagan seems to be adjusting beautifully, and we are certainly thrilled to have him here!

Abby is having some "princess" issues, but as soon as she accepts that he's here to stay, I think she'll be just fine!

He doesn't seem to be overly thrilled with his crate, and we've only had to use it at night and for travel so far, but I was wondering if you had a different type of crate that he was used to? Just trying to figure him out!

He is showing some timidity towards Eric, so if you have any tips in that area, we'd really appreciate them. We're trying to just ignore the fear responses when they occur, and also trying to give Eric the positive jobs (giving of food and treats, opening the crate door, taking him outside, etc.) with hopes that he may start associating positive things with Eric. But overall, I think he is happy here with us, and seems to be quite the cuddlebug you described! He's wonderful and we're completely hooked!
Thanks for all the resources. I'll be in touch with Beagan updates! Thanks again!
Jackie