MEET OTIS

posted Friday, 30 September 2005

Otis is a 2 year old lab mix. He is wonderful. He belongs to my friend Matt, who has 3 dogs total. The other 2 are quite a bit older and as a result, Otis doesn't always get the exercise that he needs... So, since I was thinking about getting a pup of my own, and Otis loves me, we thought maybe I could try it out with little O.

I picked him up last Sunday and brought him back to my house. He was excited at first, but I think he was confused as to where the other dogs were... I don't think the little guy had ever been all alone, so I tried to leave him for a few minutes at a time, while sitting on my front porch... he howled and whined like he was being tortured. Poor little guy. But, of course, I can't go a week without going anywhere, so I gave him 2 days to acclimate. On Tuesday morning, I left for 45 minutes - ran out to Petsmart to pick up a chew toy and leash, and grabbed breakfast on my way back. Boy, was he excited when I returned. Everything in the house looked ok.... until I got to the dining room, where Otis had left me a little (or should I say big) "present" on the floor. Ew. I put him outside and cleaned it up (Resolve works wonders). Yikes, this could be a problem. So, needless to say, my Tuesday night dinner plans turned into takeout... didn't want to traumatize the poor kid!
A book I read said that a) large spaces may enhance the fear and b) you need to acclimate the dog to being alone (like any training). So, I made up a little room for Otis in my spare bathroom upstairs. I made him a nice soft bed, with the sheet that he sleeps on at night, put some water in there for him, gave him a chew toy and turned on the radio (thought about leaving it tuned to country bc Otis loves country, but settled for soft rock). I would leave him in there for 20 minute intervals and then return, praise him and take him outside to the bathroom. He did very well! He would always whine for the first few minutes and then he would settle down (and take a nap?) On Wednesday night, I left him for 1 1/2 hours for dinner and I think he did very well.
On Thursday, it was time for him to go home. When I went to leave, I think he could tell that he wasn't coming with me. I think he was sad. We had a really fun week together. We went for lots of walks and I'd been working on teaching him some tricks (sit, stay, down). I really miss that little guy already. It's a bit different to have to plan your life with another "thing" in it, but for the companionship, I think it may be worth it.
LC
PS - I have a few more pictures on my phone... anybody know how to transfer those to a computer? Preferably for free?