MyPositiveDogTrainingBlog

Autumn is a very sweet 5-year-old Chocolate Lab whom my friend Jeanie will be fostering for a family member. Jeanie brought Autumn home today.  Jen (another friend) and I were there to help introduce Autumn to Jeanie’s two Greyhounds, Nic and Cabrini.

Autumn

We had hoped to take a nice long walk together so the dogs could get acquainted on neutral territory.  Unfortunately, it was pouring rain so we only did brief introductions outside.

Nic and Cabrini are comfortable wearing basket muzzles so Jeanie kept them on at first just as a precaution.  She was a little concerned that Cabrini would not like another female coming into her home.

The three dogs sniffed each other and, as anticipated, Cabrini was a little snarky when Autumn got too up close and personal.  Autumn very nicely respected Cabrini’s personal space and moved away.  Nic was pretty much nonchalant about Autumn after a mutual sniff around.  After the doggie “handshaking” was done we let the dogs walk around with leashes dragging in case we needed to intervene.  We put on some nice relaxing music and sat at the table to have coffee.  We kept a close eye on the dogs and gave out treats and praised each one for good behavior.  Soon the leashes and Nic’s muzzle were removed.  Cabrini still had her muzzle on.

Snowball

Snowball was happy to meet Autumn – they did a few little nose bumps and then were totally relaxed around each other.

After a little while, they all went out in the yard for a potty break and all went well.  The three big wet dogs came back in together.  Nic dried himself off by rolling on the couch and then lay down.  We had a second cup of coffee and the dogs lounged around.

Everything was going fine so Jeanie decided to remove Cabrini’s muzzle and brought out a bag of treats.  Everyone was on their best behavior.  (Note Cabrini looking at Autumn – no growls even with treats around.)  

Snowball reminded Jeanie that he liked chicken treats, too.

Looks like Autumn will be just fine with her foster family.

Jeanie messaged me later that the dogs all ate together and were napping.  Kudos to Jeanie for fostering Autumn.  All in all, it was a nice way for three friends who love dogs to spend a wet winter’s day.

Here’s to being our dog’s best friend,

Linda