Bell(aka Cheetah) is home!

[startx]

We were correct, Bell is a great dog, fits well with our family, with one exception, the cats.  Not that she is aggressive with them, just that she wants to play with them.  Our cats aren't really the play with dogs type, especially when the dog is larger than they are.  We already corrected most of the barking last night, she wants to play with them so bad, she just wiggles her whole body, and whines at them, and then starts this high pitched yappy bark.  I was hoping not to have to correct her until she knew us better, but ended up squirting her a few times last night with a water bottle, and that pretty much stopped the barking.  She and the cats are just going to have to work this out, and most of the flexibility is probably going to have to come from her.

Ms. Babe was thrilled with the idea of a canine playmate, until she realized the playmate for her was more interested in the darn cats.  I think now she is patiently waiting for Bell to figure out she is wasting her time.  Bell is also very restless in the house, pacing and wandering, which is mostly getting to know the house etc, and looking for the cats, which should correct itself with time.

We had her on leash at our family reunion yesterday, and she did very well with all people.  She isn't afraid of any of our children, and her behavior is generally great.  She loved riding home in the van, and unlike Ms. Babe can actually get herself in the van.  She seems to really like water, as in, if the container is even close to being large enough she sits or lays down in it.  I think I see a kiddie pool in her future.  No house soiling accidents last night, although we did shut her in the boys room to avoid the whining at the cats all night.  She didn't whine to be out or anything, so I assume she slept eventually.

She is also a very pretty girl, her picture does not do her justice on the webpage.  Her previous owner has worked with her to some extent, as she knows to take food gently from your hand, and she knows some simple commands etc.  We are having to teach her the new name, but she didn't know her name was Cheetah either, after 11 months in the dog run at the society.

I guess it is too late to say anything "in short" but so far we just love her.  She's pretty, seems to be smart, likes the whole family, etc.  We are working the cat problem, and with time I'm pretty sure it will work out.  We are very pleased with our adoption, and I hope copcarguy is doing well also.

[jpreiser]

Glad your dog is fitting in nicely!! The cats will always rule the house ha-ha... I am sure she will be use to them in no time...

[tlhdoc]

Glad everything is going so well.   We have the opposite problem.  Our one cat pesters the dogs to chase him.  He will rub on the dogs, claw them and jump out at them to get the dogs to chase him. :yikes:

[MommaMia]

That's great news that she home!  It may take a little time before she figures out that the cats are BORING!!  Give her time!  Also, don't forget to give your other pooch plenty of attention in the next few weeks!  You certainly don't want her to feel left out or worse, replaced!  Many congrats and best wish for a lot of happy times!

[copcarguy]

startx:  Glad to hear that Bell was lucky enough to get you guys!

[campingboaters]

Even more wonderful news with pet addoptions!  Congratulations!

[startx]

We made lots of progress yesterday.  She still wants to play with the kitties really badly, but has learned for the most part it isn't going to happen.  Thankfully our cats are NOT runners.  She pesters them, and they growl and hiss at her, but they won't run!  I think if she ever did get one to running good all our work would be cancelled out and we would have to start over.

We have given Babe tons of extra attention.  She's a bit melancholy though, after the fourth or fifth time she tried to initiate play with Bell, and Bell was more interested in the cats, she just gave up.  I don't think she is upset with us at all, but she's not so happy that Bell won't play.  I'm hoping once Bell gets past wanting to chase the cats she will play with Babe.

She is such a pretty girl, I can't imagine how she was still at the shelter after 11 months.  The family that turned her back in claimed she ate their wooden fence, but with some things that happened a month after she was turned in it sounds more like mom got a new boyfriend who didn't like inside pets so the family put her in the back yard and ignored her after letting her live in the house for a year.  She won't be abandoned in the back yard at our house, so that shouldn't be a problem for us.  She has shown some great behaviors with the youngest kids already, and is learning quickly the new things we are teaching, she has super potential to be a great family dog!