This week has been a whirlwind. I am trying to remember everything that happened and it’s not easy! haha.
Wellie has been doing well this week, learning her commands a lot better and she is really getting the hang of “take it” and “leave it” but she still dives for things that are dropped on the floor and man is she fast!
We are still working hard on housetraining, and it’s coming along slowly. Our vet suggested giving her the treats straight away after she does her business outside and that is working for sure, but she is still having accidents inside. Over the past week she hasn’t pooped inside and eaten it as much as the previous week, but she still has done it. The pee accidents have gotten less, but again, she’s still having a few.
One issue that we are having is the door and it’s not just with Wellie, it’s with all three. They all go crazy nutso when someone comes to the door. Today a friend dropped by for a bit and it was not good. It got heated and Wellie ended up snapping at both Paddy and Cordy. I’m not sure if she was trying to keep them in line or something, but it was too much excitement for me and I want to work on them being calm when someone comes to the door. It caused me a lot of stress this evening – even my friend noticed!
Saturday brought some pretty big changes for Wellie and she has adapted so well – I am so proud of her! Friday night my parents and sister, Jane, arrived from out of town to pick up her new puppy, Sonnet. Saturday, My Mom, myself and Jane drove to the breeder to pick up little itty bitty 8 week old Sonnet, a Maltese/ShihTzu mix. She is actually from the same breeder that we got Corduroy from and they actually share the same father so they are half sisters!
When we brought Sonnet in to meet the other three, we closed her in her crate and let Paddington, Corduroy and Wellington sniff her through the crate. This way she stayed and felt safe and sound while the others could smell her and see there was another little creature in there. We then let them meet her outside of the crate and it went really well. All three were interested but ultimately didn’t care she was there and that is exactly what I was hoping would happen. Jane is staying with us for a week so we wanted everyone to meet and get along well right from the start.
The first day Sonnet was very timid and stuck to Jane like glue. She followed her around everywhere and slept on her feet. By day two she was coming out of her shell a bit and started playing with the other three dogs a lot more. It’s pretty hilarious actually – she launches herself, full force, at whichever dog is closest and tries so hard to get them to play. They love teasing her by jumping out of reach onto the bed or couch. Sonnet doesn’t think it’s as fun as they do…haha
As I predicted, Paddington wants nothing to do with Sonnet. She is indifferent to her and rarely plays with her (but has on a few occasions). Corduroy on the other hand is quicker to play, but still finds Sonnet annoying with her constant jump/fling attempts. Wellington is loving Sonnet and they play together the most. Sonnet can actually get Wellie going and she runs around in circles and it’s too cute. Sonnet launches forward at her every time Wellie circles back around her.
What amazed me right away was how Paddington, Corduroy and Wellington seemed to immediately understand that Sonnet is a puppy. They are much gentler with her than each other, and they are always checking on her to make sure she is ok. For example, last night Sonnet tried to jump up onto the couch (a feat that is far beyond her reach right now) and she hurt herself and cried out. Well didn’t the other three come running over to check on her. After I felt her all over and determined that nothing was hurting (I presume she startled herself more than anything), they three were right there sniffing her from head to toe to make sure she was ok. It was very sweet.
Wellie has been doing really well with other dogs. We’ve been going to the dog socials at Bark & Fitz in Westboro and she loves them (mostly because people give her treats for sitting and looking cute). Last night we went to the Small Breed Pups Social with Sonnet and while Sonnet slept, Wellie ran around playing and exploring everywhere she could. She was extremely well behaved the entire social and was so tired when she got home that she didn’t even play a lot with Paddy and Cordy. I’ll be taking all three dogs to the Small Fries social next week so say hello if you will be there too!
Aside from their little scuffle this evening, Paddington, Corduroy and Wellie are developing such a great relationship. When Wellie wants to run, she plays with Paddy and when she wants to wrestle, she plays with Cordy. All in all she is such a sweetheart and I am so happy she found us.
My heart is full. 
Read Week 4 here |Read Week 3 here | Read Week 2 here | Read Week 1 here | Read Welcome to Wellie here.
Liz Bradley is a dog lover who lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her husband,
12 Users Responded in " Week 5 with Wellie "
Thanks for the week to week BIO with Wellie.
The video put a smile of my face : )I love watching dogs play.
Awww Liz, I love the updates on Wellie, and little Sonnet is a sweetie pie!! She must have felt dizzy watching Wellie do laps around her! I’m so envious that you have that many pups this week.
Everytime you write about Wellie, it relates SO much to our Molly and the experiences we had with her coming home (the poop eating, the accidents, the barking at ppl at the door). It’s been 3 month’s since she’s Really misbehaved but last night for seemlingly no reason, she peed on the BED. On our bed!!! I was shocked, furious, and soooo incredibly disappointed. She hardly ever has an accident anymore, if she does it’s in the basement when we are away for more than 8 hours (which is practically never). But I was just so mortified that she just peed. We let both the dogs out before bed as usual, but I guess she didn’t do her business. Have you learned any tips or ideas on why she might have done this? My only thought is that she was ready to come in before she peed. But if she has to go she normally sits at the very foot of the bed, or if she’s on the floor she goes to the door.
Today I am definately relating to your frustrations. Especially when you have Paddington and Courdoroy who are totally trained, as is Roxy… I hope it gets better, fast! I might look into the dog socials, it sounds like a great idea.
@Debbie – I love watching dogs play too!
@Stephanie – I’m so happy you are enjoying Wellie’s weekly updates. That is too bad about Molly peeing on the bed
– I know that when we doggysat my in-laws dog, he peed on the bed when he was mad at us, could it be something like that?
Oh Wellie, you good little monkey!
I can’t wait until we find Halladay a little buddy to play with. I’m on Petfinder every day looking for the perfect little friend, and so far nothing. One day! :]
Also these socials… is there room for dogs to play?
I have just found your blog as a result of reading your post on the Animatch website. Thank you for sharing your trials and tribulations, as well as your joy and love while working through the “get to know me” phase with Wellie.
We had to introduce an abused puppy mill mom to our already established well mannered, well trained dog at home two years ago and looking back on it I remember the hard times a bit but can really remember the great joy as she became part of our pack. I researched many dog training sites and spoke with so many people who had more than one dog in their household and found the true secret was really very simple. I had to think like the dogs rather than expect them to think like me. Once I figured that out and understood dog behaviour the “fights” I witnessed were actually playful getting to know each other bouts. The “biting” of the new dog’s neck and back were not actual bites but more a jab with the nose to try to instigate play. When our new dog had enough she simply ignored what the other was doing and he stopped within moments. I, on the other hand, got myself all worked up intially and felt I had to hover constantly to “protect” the new dog. What a relief when I let all that go.
I soon found that lots of excercise for them both was a huge help as well. I walked them on a single leash that is split at the end and they soon had to learn how to walk with each other as well as with me. The mill mom had no idea how to be a dog and had to learn very basic doggy behaviours from our older dog and she understood that if we were not around then he was the one in charge and she was fine with that because that is what dogs do.
I know Wellie will continue to bring you joy and love and I am sure your life will be changed forever. I know ours have been.
@Mel – you will find the right dog for you someday, I know you will! About the socials, there is room for them to play – it’s held in the B&F Westboro store. It’s not the biggest, but it’s enough room for them to run around the displays and have fun. You do have to “register” though by emailing the store owner, Lynne. Details are on the blog and in the calendar.
@Joanne – Thank you so much for sharing your story with me too! It’s so nice to hear these stories and I believe that it is so important to share the frustrations as well as the successes because I know when I got frustrated with Wellie I thought to myself, maybe I am the only one feeling like this, maybe it’s easier for other people, and it really isn’t. Everyone who rescues experiences this adjustment period. I also think it’s important so that people who are thinking of adopting or even getting a dog, know how much work goes into the relationship – it’s so rewarding, but it’s still work!
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