Hi everyone....
I'm back from camp and wanted to update you on Zeena. She's still at my aunt's, and because of an odd family situation, I'm actually living with my aunt, cousins, and Zeena now.
After experiencing Zeena firsthand for about a week now, I honestly can't see why everyone is so frusterated with her. She is very calm and has finally settled down with the two cats (after 10 months!). All she really lacks is consistant training and socialization. If she had been started on the right foot she would have been fine and she is fine for most of the day- just little things need work; whenever someone passes the house, she runs to them and barks like crazy.... I think my aunt thinks Zeena (or all dogs for that matter) should be preprogrammed not to run up to people...so it is automatically the dog's fault that they do :roll: . But having a fenced yard would also make that easier or solve the problem. She also plays pretty aggressively sometimes with Nellie, the other dog. I'm also told she still poops in the house sometimes, but I haven't seen that happen.
My aunt has picked up a brochure for a nearby dog training facility, but her opinion keeps changing whether she wants to keep Zeena or not. One day she really is a great dog, and the next she's a terror. sigh. However, In the mean time, one of our neighbor's daughter's works at a local animal rescue group and is looking for a potential family. For now, she's safe though. I've been kind of working with her...I'm no dog trainer, but I've watched the Dog Whisperer...lol. I started trying to get her to stop jumping on people (for some reason, this is the only thing my aunt doesn't mind. But its still not a good habit!) by keeping her up by holding her paws...I think someone mentioned that here on the forum...and already, I'm the only person she won't jump on anymore. Smart dog. But we'll see what happens...
I think that the threat of euthanasia at the beginning was out of stress and frustration (although I still think its absurd! :evil: ). Thanks to everyone for caring SO much!
I'll keep you updated.
Bianca
PS: Today is Boomer and Zeena's 1st birthday! 8)
I'm back from camp and wanted to update you on Zeena. She's still at my aunt's, and because of an odd family situation, I'm actually living with my aunt, cousins, and Zeena now.
After experiencing Zeena firsthand for about a week now, I honestly can't see why everyone is so frusterated with her. She is very calm and has finally settled down with the two cats (after 10 months!). All she really lacks is consistant training and socialization. If she had been started on the right foot she would have been fine and she is fine for most of the day- just little things need work; whenever someone passes the house, she runs to them and barks like crazy.... I think my aunt thinks Zeena (or all dogs for that matter) should be preprogrammed not to run up to people...so it is automatically the dog's fault that they do :roll: . But having a fenced yard would also make that easier or solve the problem. She also plays pretty aggressively sometimes with Nellie, the other dog. I'm also told she still poops in the house sometimes, but I haven't seen that happen.
My aunt has picked up a brochure for a nearby dog training facility, but her opinion keeps changing whether she wants to keep Zeena or not. One day she really is a great dog, and the next she's a terror. sigh. However, In the mean time, one of our neighbor's daughter's works at a local animal rescue group and is looking for a potential family. For now, she's safe though. I've been kind of working with her...I'm no dog trainer, but I've watched the Dog Whisperer...lol. I started trying to get her to stop jumping on people (for some reason, this is the only thing my aunt doesn't mind. But its still not a good habit!) by keeping her up by holding her paws...I think someone mentioned that here on the forum...and already, I'm the only person she won't jump on anymore. Smart dog. But we'll see what happens...
I think that the threat of euthanasia at the beginning was out of stress and frustration (although I still think its absurd! :evil: ). Thanks to everyone for caring SO much!
I'll keep you updated.
Bianca
PS: Today is Boomer and Zeena's 1st birthday! 8)
