They love a bit of him (Podlife)

[HangingOver]

Hello my fabulous Podsquad, here is Podcast Thread III.

For anyone that is new to this thread, it's about my rescue dog, known as Pod.

Here is thread No. 2 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/5197068-the-pod-cast?page=39&reply=141216881

And thread No 1 https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/5177112-oh-my-giddy-god?page=1

for if anyone would like to go back and see how astonishingly naïve and traumatised I was by taking on a fully grown, teenaged pointy dog who seemed determined to destroy me and everything I love.

Theatrics over, here is the Pod in question (obviously I've edited the lead out - I'm not mental).

If anyone doesn't have is Insta handle and wants it, just DM me. A video of me and Pod doing yoga together will appear at some point soon.

@HangingOver Don’t be so hard on yourself. He’s your first dog. You’re still learning. You keep adjusting and adapting your behaviour as you get to know Pod more and more. That’s awesome. You’re very responsive to him. Sometimes yes you will need to push through hard parts when you’re parenting a human or dog. The independence and confidence that the child or dog will gain is worth it. The freedom and peace of mind it will give you is worth it.

BTW, loved the Insta story of Pod playing outside by himself. Goodness he’s an elegant athletic creature. Like a gazelle, ballerina and athlete all in one brindle package.

How’s his humping going? Has it decreased yet?

If you go right back to basics you won't retraumatize him anyway, so no need to worry.
I have all these big plans for training though, just a few minutes a day, and yet somehow I just don't do it. I find I'm better if I've written down a plan.
Pod couldn't ask for a better pawrent. You are doing great!

I have no answers @HangingOver but I have solidarity. My dog is 8.7. I am with her most of the time and if I go out as I do have to occasionally buy food, I'm never out more than two hours and usually less than one. She has been left four times for four hours, not planned, and once from 10.30pm until 6.20am as a complete emergency. I consoled myself she would sleep all night, she wasn't missing a meal and my child needed to go to hospital. I expected us to be in and out tbh. I pay departure tax when I leave, I give her a biscuit when I'm back. She's not bothered I'm going. Yet still I fret. Still she's my first thought when something comes up.

It's a very positive thing that Pod reacted so calmly to you leaving him alone outside the crate. Especially that he was equally calm when you walked back in. That suggests he always knew you were coming back.

I'm sure you know this but his reaction was perfect and you need to mirror it by being as calm yourself. I don't make a fuss when I leave my pup or when I return back home. Though secretly I felt like dancing for joy the first time I returned and he was waking up from a nap stretching and yawning.

Thanks everyone 🙂

Picking up the car was a bit of a shit show as DP got home and rang to say he was outside and we needed to go before they closed (I didn't realise they wouldn't phone to say it was ready.

Pod was getting jumpy and chompy after his nap so I made him his dinner and ran for it. He usually goes mad after his dinner AND I left to conservatory door open meaning sofa temptation.

Three small woofs right after I left and stealing a wrapper from the bin which he laid on the sofa and calmly shredded but WOW I'm so impressed.

I think now we've ripped the plaster off I'm going to insist DP and I leave the house each day without him for a random five - ten mins here and there when he's calm and sleepy. This will be good for DP too as he's working so hard at the moment.

YAY 😁

I think that’s a really good idea @HangingOver

Yep, its very hard when you have soooooo much more to contend with than just alone time.

Mixing it up, 5 mins here, 10 there, 1 there, out and back in - so that its not just consistently getting harder each time and he has time to process is very much the way forward. Pick your moments, remember he has no idea what the plan was so if you alter it, there's no harm done. Its all about building up a big database, like a memory bank of positive experiences.

Oh my goodness we did it again!!

Pod was all sleepy after his walk. I went out and sat in DPs van. Pod did a couple of small borks. DP resettled him and then came and joined me in the van. He looked up at DP leaving but didn't get up or make any noise. Me and DP went for coffee, Pod slept. Didn't bork when we got home and didn't even get up immediately. Unbelievable Jeff!!

And yes yes to this, I want to scream WELL DONE POD!! when we get in but instead we come in talking quietly to eachother and just say "Hi Pod" and give him a little pat if he comes over, but basically act as if we hadn't left.

Exactly ... nothing to see here😄

Just because he's now the perfect dog 😂 ... please don't stop with your updates 😂😂

That is brilliant! Well done all of you.

I had read how when you come back one should get on with settling in, putting shopping away etc, basically ignoring the dog. I do try but mostly I get shouted at for her compensation biscuit. I figure if I'm happy to give her a biscuit straight away, and it's been what I always did, then it doesn't matter. I do sometimes tell her not to shout at me and tease her how these days she's more keen for biscuit first than cuddle 😁

Lads it's finally happened and I wanted you to know.

The other Pod owners told me, nay, PROMISED it would happen but I never believed it possible... I swore mine would be the exception. The memories of Pod kicking off the moment he woke up at 6am and needing walking, food and reassurance were too fresh in my mind and I never believed it possible.

But today, a magical and significant day in the journey of life with my Pod, we've reach a new milestone so important in a Podenco's life. Maybe it's the horrendous weather today, maybe it's a sign of his growing maturity and security but it's happened... it is past midday, and Pod is still asleep 🤣

You must have the weather we had overnight. Definitely doggy lie in day.

Blimey, what's your secret?

My pup never sleeps past about 7.30am!

Hurrah for lie ins and for staying home alone! :D What a good Pod!

Comes with the territory apparently. I didn't realise this but although they are speed noodles for short bursts at a time, they are also couch potatoes. My friends Pod is 5 and she doesn't get up til gone 2pm.

Wow, jealous.

Comes with the territory apparently. I didn't realise this but although they are speed noodles for short bursts at a time, they are also couch potatoes. My friends Pod is 5 and she doesn't get up til gone 2pm.

Wow!

I'd be worried about UTIs!

Our whippet wasn't up until nearly 9 this morning & I was getting anxious as he was last out at about 9 last night!

Lurcher girl goes out in the garden before 8pm and sleeps till I come through at 8am. She's never had a UTI.

She'd never sleep till noon though. Miss her breakfast? As if!

Yes 12hrs seems long enough to me!

Obviously all dogs are different & atm ours doesn't see to be drinking overnight as too busy sleeping!

He did shuffle out in the rainstorm at about 9 for a lightening wee but went straight back to bed. It was great 😁 He's just got back from an hour of tearing around after his Pod friend and he's acting MENTAL. Hopefully he'll keel over shortly.

Our whippet sometimes comes back more wound up after a walk than before!

There's a vid on his stories of him very aggressively playing with Mr Cow.

Snoot