Adoption Update: Phoebe

We hope that the summer has been progressing well for all of you. We're attaching a few overdue photos of Miss Phoebe in her new digs.

Phoebe is finishing up a 6-week beginner clicker obedience class and will start her intermediate class the first week in August. She's a stellar student who learns new tasks on one or two tries. She especially enjoys lamb lung treats as rewards. She's still not intrigued by "toys" unless they have food in them, so Kongs and Buster cube-type toys are among her favorites.

Walking and hiking--both in Arlington and Rappahannock County--are among her favorite activities. So is jumping over my shoulder, which predicts that she'll probably take to fun agility once she graduates from obedience classes.

She's still having issues with growling and snarling at Victor sometimes when he's in the same room with me. This behavior is sporadic and sometimes occurs right after she returns from a 90-minute + walk with him and Abraham. (note from Sarah: this is not an uncommon behaviour for a dog who has lived her life secluded or feral)

She walks beautifully with and without Abraham and draws compliments for her stellar manners from passersby. She's great with one of our cats who loves dogs and is a slow mover, but gets excited when some of the other cats race around.

Squirrels and rabbits are her outdoor fascinations. She visually tracks deer, but obviously hasn't picked up the scent of the half dozen or so mother bears and cubs we've sighted and heard this summer in Shenandoah National Park or on our land adjacent to it.

We'll keep you posted.

Regards,

Victor

Phoebe update!

Here's the update on Phoebe:

She's starting to really relate with me now, will jump on the bed in the morning to give kisses occasionally. She still is afraid of males over the age of 12, is terrified of Phillip to the point of mouthing in defense. We are working on that hard. She can be hard on cats when she is excited - charges them, but not with the intent to do harm, other wise leaves them alone. Still not interested in playing with the other dogs or toys, but remains very food motivated. This past Thursday she went to agility class with Breanna and I and greeted tentively other women and took treats from them. She is excellent on leash walks very politely and is possible at some point in her early life had some type of obediance training as she tends to walk in the heel position. When the other dogs are running and playing she is on a short drag line but does not stray far and will return when called, although she is getting braver and moving off a little further each time. She is excellent in the house with very few potty accidents, and only when she first arrived. She has run of the house day and night and she will sleep on the bed occasionally but prefers Breanna's room to anyplace else. Breanna continues to be the sun, moon, and stars to her. She enjoys riding in the car and is good loose or crated. Since I am no longer seen as a huge threat we are now working on sits, downs and comes with lots of treats and praise. She does take correction very well. With a little more time, I am sure we can have her ready to go to someone that is looking for a quiet companion who enjoys going for a walk or riding in the car.

Foster mom Pat