Lottie

LOTTIE was about 9mths old when she was taken into IRR care. She had been a bit of an escape artist, no doubt due to boredom, ending up in the pound twice!!! They said of her “She is a little pet who just wants some attention and her belly rubbed”.
We sought veterinary advice on the advisability of spaying her and, as a result, she was spayed.

Pauline who met the transport says ” Lottie is a little live-wire and probably not for the faint-hearted but she is totally adorable. I think she would make a great obedience / agility dog for someone willing to spend a bit of time on her. She seems to have absolutely no fear of people and is really great with other dogs.”

HER NEW HOME WASN’T TO BE

Her new owner reported that everything was going well with Lottie and she had settled down very well, no accidents in the house at all, she really was very good. She loved the car and jumped in all excited but was not so thrilled about getting out.

“During her walks she was not pulling as much and her new owners thought she would love to be let off the lead. Her daughter worked on her training in the garden. She would stay in one spot until called, then she would walk back and do this with or without any treats.”

Unfortunately, they were a little too keen to let her off lead and Lottie had other ideas about coming back when the world was her oyster so, sadly, Lottie was looking again for her perfect forever home again. She is now back in foster with Julie in Sussex.

LATEST UPDATE FROM JULIE

So Lottie’s back! She is still a bundle of energy (although maybe slightly calmer) into everything, scared of nothing!

She still pulls like a train even with a Halti and jumps the babygate with absolutely no trouble.

However, like all lovable rogues she is absolutely adorable. She is very affectionate and loves nothing more than a cuddle and now also a belly rub.

She was really pleased to see her old mates and greeted Roddy and Layla like long lost relatives. I am also fostering another young bitch but she was not too pleased to see her. We keep having handbags at dawn but I think that is more the other foster dog than Lottie although she is not blameless. She does get jealous.

She has grown and is more “leggy” than she used to be. She is now the size of a small Labrador bitch. I have been trying to get some more photographs of her but she will not sit still!

She has remembered her crate and now takes herself off there when she wants a quiet 5 minutes (yes – I’m still talking about Lottie).

She still loves “gardening” and even though she has only been with me for just over two days, we have one new hole in the lawn and basket of last Spring’s bulbs has been brought into the house. Compost, bulbs and chewed up basket were everywhere.

When in the house, she will come when called and will sometimes respond when out on a walk but there’s no way I would trust her to come back if I let her off.

I’m sure she would have great potential as an agility or flyball dog as she has so much energy and confidence. Someone is missing out here on a dog that is great fun so if you can give her a loving active home, please contact us.

UPDATE SEPT 2008

Julie says. “Lottie has been back with us now for three weeks and has settled in well.

She constantly pushes the boundaries but learns fast. Yes she can jump the baby gate but has learnt that she must not do it and now waits. She has learnt to give her paw for a piggy’s ear but will only do this if she thinks the reward is sufficient! (I have yet to get her to give me a paw for frankfurter.) She has also learnt that I’m in charge of doorways so instead of pushing past to see what is happening she will wait.

I have not tried her recall outside of secure places but the other day I took her (and the rest of the gang) to a friend’s house. She decided that the main garden was OK to run about it for a few minutes but that the bog garden was much more interesting so found a hole in the fence made by the fox and went through it to explore. This part of garden is secured with a locked gate and as my friend went to get the key Lottie went further in, splashing about and having a lovely time. I was worried that she would disappear so I tried the old trick of yelling “Bye Lottie” and ran away from her with my other two dogs following close behind me. She obviously thought that she was going to be left and came tearing back through the hole and up the garden after me so I think her recall will improve with time.

She is constantly changing as she grows up and will make a wonderful companion. Everyone loves her as she is such a character and as I’ve said before very affectionate. She deserves a loving forever home soon so if you can provide this, please get in touch”.

LOTTIE’S STORY

Lottie was in foster with Julie in West Sussex who said “Where’s the “OFF” switch?”

“Lottie is absolutely lovely but SOOOOOO energetic. Left to her own devices, she would tear about the place, jump all over the furniture, jump up at you, chew anything that might be tasty, dig water bowls (yes – she tries to dig out the water and gets it everywhere), dig up plant pots and pull washing off the line. I don’t think she had seen a lead before the weekend so its like trying to keep a fish under control on the end of a line! On the plus side, she is totally non-aggressive and bones/food etc can be taken away from her.

She is totally charming but she is so curious and into everything that I don’t feel I can leave her unsupervised for a moment unless she is in her crate. This is for her own safety rather than anything else. She has jumped up at an open window and although not particularly low, I think she may try and get out if there is something interesting happening out there.

I wouldn’t dare take her out with just a collar so she has a harness on to be walked as she wants to meet everyone and, given a chance would chase and bark at cars and lorries. I’m working on stopping her rushing through doors and between your legs.

Her scar still seems to be healing well although I leave her lampshade on her when she is left alone. I think the stitches are beginning to itch because I have caught her a couple of times biting them. She is eating OK although, if distracted by something, she will leave the food and go back to it later.

House training is getting there. You take her outside and she will run around and then fly past you (or between your legs) to get back in the house where she will mess. Got this one worked out as I now shut the baby gate so she can’t get further than the kitchen. Given time, I think we will get this sorted out successfully. I can’t take her out with the others at the moment as she is too lively so she has no one to copy.

Living with the cats is a work in progress but she is getting there and does not chase them in the house. She has now been put properly in her place by the “boss cat”.

Lottie has met the two boys next door (7 & 8) and she was fine with them. She also saw lots of children playing on the village green at the weekend and wanted to join in.

Someone adopting her should be aware of how much work she is
but I’m certain she will be well worth it.”

After strenous play time and a big walk in the woods/and fields she finally relaxed.

TWO WEEKS AFTER ARRIVING

Julie says, “Lottie is eating well and has settled down a lot in the last two weeks. Maybe it’s the routine and getting regular food and exercise.
She will sit for a treat and is beginning to learn that you don’t jump up at people. Most of the time she is OK with me unless I have something in my hands that she wants then she will jump. New people she will jump up at but has learnt that she will get told off by some people!

I got so fed up with her pulling when we walk that I took a leaf out of her book last night, when she pulls, I stop. (I tried the looping lead thing, dropping it and changing direction but she just interpreted this as her cue to lie down!) Anyway, this morning she seems better so I will keep working on this. She still wants to bark and chase the traffic but this is a whole load better than it was. I have tried to keep her under control with treats but she is not interested once she is out that front door.

Housetraining almost 100%. Still have the odd accident if she cannot get out in the garden, but I really am not comfortable letting her have access to the garden unsupervised. Apart from escaping, she digs up pots so yesterday I lost the Rosemary (it took her seconds to wreck it). I let her out regularly and things seem to be OK. She will pee and poo when she is out on a walk.

She is no problem getting in her crate, so much that at bedtime she runs in there herself – maybe something to do with the pigs ear that she gets. She will happily stay in her crate from 10.30am until 6.00pm-6.30pm and has not had any accidents in there. In the morning, I open the back door first, and then let her out and she rushes out to do her business.”

All she needs now is a forever home with someone experienced enough to keep her steered in the right direction. An agility home would be perfect so she can use her brain and high energy to advantage.

LOTTIE HAS COME A LONG WAY

A delighted Julie says, “Lottie has been with me about two and a half weeks now and you would not recognize her as being the same dog. I had people visiting all weekend so she was able to be out of her crate most of the time and she wasted no time in charming everyone and playing with Roddy. Consequently, for the first time ever, she went to sleep in front of me. Before this I would have sworn that she never slept because no matter what time of day I saw her, her eyes were always open and she was ready for action.

On Saturday we took her by car into the local town and she was as good as gold in the doggie section at the back of the car. Normally she tries really hard to get out and sit with the driver but this time she just laid down. The outing was to buy a Halti for her as I was fed up with her pulling and misbehaving whilst out walking. We went into the pet shop and we took our eyes off her for a second and she used the opportunity to “steal” one of those fat balls for the birds. We left the shop with a nice new Halti for her and a chewed fat ball for the birds!

I’m well impressed with the Halti but Lottie is definitely not! On Saturday afternoon we tried walking all three dogs together. Lottie tried really hard to get the Halti off and Roddy (my 18mth GR) also tried to bite it off for her but did not succeed. She has given up trying to get it off and is now walking much better. When I return from a walk I now feel that I have just walked the dog rather than spent an hour down the gym! We have also started to walk her on a 30ft training lead in the field which she loves. She is even getting the trick of recall (whilst on the lead) and is beginning to do things for treats. Frankfurters are the treat of choice and she will always sit nicely and now even lay down when asked if they are available.

I have been brave enough this week to let her have the run of the house whilst I’m working. Instead of flying around the place and wrecking everything like she used to, she is now sleeping most of the day outside the office door with the other two. As I said, a different dog.

She is certainly changing for the better and becoming a more affectionate, lovely, well mannered girl (although there is still some work to do!) so if you are looking for a lovely family pet to do agility with – she’s your girl.”

DOTTIE LOTTIE’S DIARY

Sunday 28th September

What a day

Dear Diary…

What a day, it started ok with a big walk with Julie, a bit of a play, status quo, then into the car for a nice ride.

We met this nice lady in a car park, she looked ok, so I got in her car and off we went. One hundred and fifteen miles, and one stop on a very noisy road, later I arrived in a place called Barlestone, Leicestershire to a house I had never seen before.

Being the confident girl that I am, I got out of the car and met a lovely dog, called Casper; I hope he will play like Roddy. Yes he seems ok and wants to play with me, I think I will be happy here, lots of new smells, new places to go, and people to meet.

The first walk with Casper went ok and now to meet the rest of the family. Carl is big! I can’t jump that high, but it’s ok, I can reach him when he’s sitting and give him lots of kisses. The “boys” love me and like to play with me, what fun.

After a few hours I’m feeling right at home, lots of walks, lots of toys and Casper to play with, cats to scare, and people to follow around. Yes, WHAT A DAY.

Monday 29th September

Good Girl

Dear Diary…
Apparently I’ve been a “good girl” I’ve had no little accidents over night, and went straight into the garden this morning with Casper. That’s when things went a bit wrong, I was looking into some water and then I thought I would walk on it by standing on some green leaves, whoops it’s deeper than I thought, now I’m not so good. This water is apparently a fishpond and the green leaves are lily pads and yes I will fall in if I walk on them “you silly dog”. Oh well, so much for being Devine, I might try that again in a little while.

So after breakfast and a walk, it’s into the car again, we went to see Rosemary’s mum, she liked me too, and yes I was a “good girl” again.
This afternoon I went for a long walk with Casper, I wish I could run with him it looks great fun, but I’m having to learn not to pull too much.
The family is back now, time for lots of cuddles, I’ve won the boys over with my big brown puppy dog eyes.

Tuesday 30th September

A wet day
Dear Diary…
Another day dawns, what can I get up to today I wonder. Lets start with a play with Casper, I can’t understand why he lies in his bed after an hour, never mind I can still jump on him there.

I’ve had a little play with the hose pipe today, ended up very wet and had to be dried with a towel, tried the pond again, had to be dried with a towel, found the brook, had to be dried with a towel. Today has been very wet so far.

Wednesday 1st October

Bath time for Casper

Dear Diary…
I’ve got a nice cage now, full of soft blankets, next to my new friend Casper, and I’ve slept in there overnight.

Today is the first time I’ve been on a long extending lead; it was good fun as I could run after Casper in the field. Lots of new smells to get at, and I can dig up the molehills now and find things in the long grass. A walk that normally takes 30 minutes was and hour and 15 minutes this morning, I was a very happy and muddy puppy.

I helped to bath Casper this afternoon, he was very dirty and smelly after he rolled in cow poo, so again I ended up wet. We had a lovely game of tug the towel while we were supposed to be being dried, I think that was not a good idea as we were BAD dogs, never mind the puppy eyes worked again.

Thursday 2nd October

Heel would be good

Dear Diary…

Getting into the morning routine now, the boys get up and go to work, quickly followed by Carl, and then it’s breakfast and playtime with Casper. I like my morning walk, finding out what’s been in the field the night before.
Today we went to see Carl’s mum and dad, yes they thought I was a lovely puppy as well, I was on my best behaviour.

I’ve started to learn to heel on the lead, with a little help from my friend, I have watched what he does and have started to copy him. I am getting lots of little treats and “good girls” so I must be getting it right.

The night walk was fun tonight, we found a hedgehog again, Casper jumped at it and woofed until it curled up into a ball. It prickled my nose when I went to sniff it, I’ll try that again another night.

Friday 3rd October

I can share

Dear Diary…

Guess what, I’m learning to share the toys with Casper, we’ve been playing all day and not a cross word so far! Casper is getting a bit tired and going into his bed for a rest, should I leave him to rest… no I think I’ll take him a tuggy to play with.

I did well at my heelwork today, and met a big GSD called Jack who seems to be friends with Casper, but I was not allowed to play with them, as he is a bit big for me.

Having played with Casper ALL day it’s now time for a cuddle with Carl, he says he’s always wanted a leggy blonde sitting on his knee, I think he likes me.

Saturday 4th October

The weekend

Dear Diary…

I had a bit of a late night yesterday, well it was today really, Carl goes to a place called “the Pub” on Friday nights and gets home very late. He says when I’m older I can go with him for a drink and a packet of crisps, whatever they are; I hope I will be old enough soon as it sounds fun.

So today got off to a bit of a late start, apparently it’s the weekend and no-one has to go to work, “the boys” have had time to play with me this morning. Aaron, the one as big as Carl, had a light called a torch that makes marks on the floor and the ceiling, which I’ve been trying to catch. We played this for ages and even when the light went I was looking for it to come back.

I’m still trying to share the toys with Casper, playing tuggy most of the day. The cats have come back home, but I still run at them! had a near miss with some claws today, I will work on being a “good girl” with the cats.

Tonight on our last walk we saw two Pointer dogs called Ellie and Barney, they were lovely dogs that wanted to play with me and yes I was allowed play, but not too rough, as they are very old and don’t need a young upstart jumping all over them.

Sunday 5th October

Oh dear it’s raining
Dear Diary…
It was raining first thing this morning so we only got a quick walk, however it’s still the weekend so lots of people to play with me. Rosemary says when it stops raining we can go for a big walk this afternoon, still have the garden to play in though.

Puddles in the garden make a good mud bath, I tried to pick up a big stone from one puddle only to be told it was “concreted” in and was part of the path “you nitwit”, and if you don’t come in you will be soaked.

Aaron (the big one) went to football today, next week if it’s not raining I could go to, I wonder what going to football is. Carl and the “boys” watched football on the TV yesterday, there were lots of “Yes’s” and “get in”, I think their team won.

It stopped raining this afternoon so we were able to go for a big walk, Casper again went in the brook and I went in to, lots of splashes and mud. Then we saw some big things called cows, they can be very scary, I wonder if this is where cow poo comes from, better not try it, Casper get into trouble last time.

I like Sundays everyone has time to fuss me and play with me, lots cuddles, heaven!

Oh yes I forgot, last night I found something in the garden, it hopped and made a croaking sound, I wondered what it was, I woofed at it and sniffed it and was then told to “leave it” it was a toad.