Adopter Update - Feb 16

As I said earlier last night, she ate from a bowl last and had no problem finishing her dinner - which is awesome. This morning, she ate side by side with Pugsley. Us 3 went on a really long walk this morning and I started a bit of a training session with her this morning as well. I broke it up into small times so it wasn't an "information" overload with her. So I spent 10 minutes with her reviewing her old skills (sit, dance, paw). I also taught her to respond to the clicker which she does very well now. Whenever I click, she will come forward wherever she is and sit in front if me which is GREAT!

I taught her to lie down yesterday and she still remembers it so she might have learned it before possibly? And I reviewed rollover with her. In terms of new stuff, I taught her how to wait. I only get her to wait for at most 30 seconds (for now) and will very slowly increase the time. I'm beginning to teach her heeling which she has sort of caught on to and to sit when I stop walking. I am also teaching her "leave its". Obviously, it's very hard for a pug. But she's catching on nicely as well.

I will continue to work on these two skills for the remainder of this week as well as polish up her old skills. And then maybe add another skill next week.

But she is extremely smart and settling in very nicely! In terms of sleeping, she shared a bed with me last night and slept at the end of my bed through the night.

Adopted - Feb 15

Lady bug will require a family that can spend time with her leash reactive issues, she will frantically bark and whine at any dog she sees during our walks, whether they are across the street or walking beside her. I am currently trying to break her of this habit however this will take time and dedication. At times she tries to bite at her leash and pull however this is happening less and less with a sharp no and taking the leash away from her.

Ladybug does perform many tricks and loves to be rewarded for them; she dances, rolls over, sits and gives paw. This is practiced quite frequently to ensure she listens. She is not very gentle when you give her a treat and this is something that needs to be worked on.

Ladybug is very playful with her Foster brother Dodger who is another Pug, and she plays nice in the unleash park with other dogs. She can be however a bit of a bully and stops once you tell her no; Ladybug is definitely an Alpha female. She also tried to steal bones and toys away from Dodger therefore I would not recommend another dog that also has issues with sharing. There is no fighting for attention; Ladybug can be on my lap with Dodger without any arguments.

She has been around a small children and teenagers and loves to play. She also currently lives with a cat that she does not bother with. Ladybug is a very busy girl and anxious, she does not settle very easily unless she is sitting beside you or on you. I have not yet had success with any chewy stick/bone or toy that will keep her attention long.

Ladybug is very smart and does learn with owner determination. I think she needs consistency and routine for her to adapt to a new home. Ladybug does not seem to be a chewer or destroy anything around the house I have not had to doggie proof the house.

Once Ladybug's little behaviour issues are rectified I think she will be any families perfect little princess. She is very cute and very sweet.

Fostermom Sigrid

Update - Jan 26

She still barks quite a bit in my apartment, though she does stop easily when I give her a sharp no! However she is a guard dog at heart, I took over to a friend’s house that has a huge patio window facing the bark yard and Lady Bug would not stop staring out the window barking at neighbours or anything at all. She is quite alert and will let you know if anything is happening around us. The barking/snarling with other dogs in the neighborhood while at on walks will take some time, she seems to be more uncomfortable with bigger dogs. When we are at the dog park she prefers to play with bigger dogs and is very friendly, so I am unsure why she reacts the way she does on a leash.

I’ve almost stopped Lady Bug constant licking and will give you small kisses now, this took two weeks of her being at the house. I think it was her way for me to accept her more than a bad habit, she does stop if you turn your back and say no. She does like to cuddle with you in the evening and would rather sit on you or beside you than playing with her toys or her foster brother Dodger. I have spent many days with her during the afternoon and she sleeps with one eye open, if I move or speak she automatically lifts her head or stands up. I believe she is still anxious being in a new home and compared to other fosters it will take her some time to get 100% comfortable in a new home.

She is more at ease when she is touching you, whether it is sitting between your feet or lying beside you on the couch. At night she settles quite nicely on her bed, she still sleeps in the kitchen by herself.

Update - Jan 12

Bug is a barker, so initially she will need to go to a house not an apartment. She also barks at dogs on the street, I don't believe she is being aggressive. Once Dodger approaches them and she calms down she will go near them. My next step will be to take them to an unleash park.

Bug does not know how to share nicely, if I give both Dodger and Bug a chewy stick she is after the one Dodger has. Thank goodness Dodger just heads to the other treat Bug has left behind.
[These observances may just be transitional behaviour].

She is a busy little lady but nothing to crazy. Bug is definitely very affectionate she gives plenty of kisses. Also she has no issues with the cat she leaves her alone.

Introduction - Jan 11