Roo-ro-ro-ro-roooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

[bunn]

At some point recently, Rosie Roo got to the point where she would no longer flee in terror if you dropped a pen, pencil, mouse, etc etc.  This was very welcome.

We have now progressed to the next stage, where Rosie Roo is no longer really scared of much at all.  This stage involves a lot of bouncing, increasing amounts of toy-flinging, and, should I do something she disapproves of, such as eating toast without giving her some, she stares at me, barking randomly, and  progresses through barking, to bouncing and yodelling into full Saluki Song.

Obviously it is impossible to stop this, since a dog that demands toast, cuddles, kisses on her pink nosy and endless supplies of dried black pudding sticks through the medium of interpretative dance and song is vastly preferable to a dog that is randomly terrified of falling cushions. So we have opted to join in.   Life in our house at the moment seems to involve a lot of sing-a-longa-Roo.

I am hoping the progress may eventually lead to her actually coming when called reliably, but I'm not counting on it.   At the moment, I'm trying to make a point of only letting her offlead if it's not a problem if it takes several hours to get her back again.  Right now, I feel quite positive about things, because she has not taken off or done anything random and chaotic for several weeks.  But we've been here before on a number of occasions....

Comments

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Maybe she'll come if you sing suitably and loudly enough?

[penichops.livejournal.com]

This option should certainly be considered!

[bunn.livejournal.com]

But the risk is that she would flee for the hills if she hears me sing in the open air!

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

She would definitely flee if she heard me sing. Even though she is in Cornwall and I am in Bristol.

[penichops.livejournal.com]

Nooo I imagine you like some kind of Saluki Siren and your song will carry through the valley and suddenly you'll own 84 Salukis :)

[bunn.livejournal.com]

84 Salukis! That noise you can hear is every hair on my head standing on end... :-D

[bunn.livejournal.com]

I can just see the looks from other dogwalkers...!

[puddleshark.livejournal.com]

Oh, you must be so pleased! About Rosie finding her confidence, I mean. And possibly with the singing and the imperious demands for toast as well.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

It's a HUGE relief that she's not so *scared* now. I used to feel so guilty if I dropped something when she'd just got comfy and she'd have to leap up and race upstairs to hide. And it's lovely to see her so much more relaxed even if she is bossy!

It's so strange that she's never been scared of thunder.

[alitheapipkin.livejournal.com]

A house full of sing-a-longa-Roo sounds like a cheery sort of place, much better than one where a falling cushion causes wailing and gnashing of teeth :)

The rescue dog I had growing up got over almost all his terrors except brooms and fishing rods. Given the first night we had him he famously came and hid in the bathroom while I was in the bath and piddled in the mat because someone turned a hair dryer on, this was a great relief. Although the fishing rods was rather trying at times given Rudyard Lake was my favourite walking spot...

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Awww, poor dog, he sounds very scared. I think a bit of pee on day 1 is only to be expected, but on the bathmat is rather unfortunate!

Brythen is still a bit scared of brooms, although he's much less fearful in general than the Roo. Sometimes they don't seem to show you all the fears right away, it seems to take a little while for them to relax enough to show they are scared, I think.

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

I'm pleased for you both.

[scripsi.livejournal.com]

A dancing and singing sdog sounds rather adorable. :)