Phoenix Settling

I’m not an expert on body language but I’m pretty good at interpreting a dog’s feelings based on position. 

For example, in the picture above, the door is open allowing her the freedom to come and go as she pleases.  (It allows Pony and Gigi to pop their heads into her space, as well.)  Given all that, on this her third full day at Villa Mia, the fact that Phoenix is stretched out on her back and snoring suggests to me that she’s pretty content and secure. 

I’m not looking forward to her finishing her training and going off to her forever home.  Not that I don’t want her to find a home and a family to love for all time, I’m just not looking forward to the ugly cry I will have when it happens.  Oh, I do love her already.

She had a really big day.  One of my students has been struggling with a fear of heights.  It is our philosophy that no dog should live in fear so we do everything we can to help them conquer their fears and live with confidence.  We invited the pack to join us for his lesson at a local park.  10 of his friends stepped up to help and Phoenix tagged along.  She is heeling like a champ, sit is still so-so but her place is on point!  She even walked the plank and started to grasp stay.  What’s more, she is even more relaxed with the myriad of new people greeting her.  There was one tense moment when she was startled by an 8-year-old girl who ran past her but Zach had brought his A-game to the park today and mitigated any disaster before it could happen.  Now we know what to really work on to help her be comfortable in any situation.

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words so allow me to wrap this up at just about 325 and offer these beauts instead.

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Please follow along on this blog as she completes the Good Dog Board and Train program.  Your kind financial support of Char-Wills in honor of this sweet girl is most appreciated.