Callie’s nickname should be “Girlfriend” — she & 9-month-old Caroline are forever sharing a bone, cuddling, or playing chase. Callie is one of those gals who is always up for fun—a car ride, a good wrestle, a race around the yard. She hangs out with my entire gaggle of Goldens … four oldsters plus Caroline. Callie can be slow to warm up to new dogs (Bark! Bark!), but give her time & they’ll be best pals. We watched Callie endear herself to bossy Miss Chili, age 10. Chili is an old-school disciplinarian: no running in the house, no wild play, no pushy behavior. Callie sized Chili up when we did doggy intros: she positively sucked up to Chili, totally feeding her ego … Chili’s expression softened in amazement as Callie flattered her.

Callie especially enjoys watching while we work in the kitchen. She finds a cool spot & relaxes as I chop or Gary mixes, surrounded by all the other dogs, listening as we talk. When she first moved in, Callie was a master spitter. Raw carrots or apple slices? Ptew! – out across the floor. Now her tastes have changed—for lunch she eats homemade vegetable soup or maybe stir fried bok choy … and she’s usually the first one done. :-)

Before they were surrendered to rescue, Callie & her pal Buddy were outdoor dogs with little socialization & few experiences. It’s easy to differentiate when Callie feels confident & secure, as opposed to anxious. When confident, she is friendly & relaxed … hanging out with all of us or playing with Caroline. When she feels anxious or unsure, she’ll jump up or bug us for attention, or she’ll have a worried expression. To increase Callie’s confidence, we ignore behaviors we don’t like and praise behaviors we do like—easy! When Callie jumps up, we act bored & ignore her … but when she remembers to sit nicely she gets lots of rubs & attention & maybe a little treat. This is working beautifully. Callie would be a lovely candidate for positive obedience classes because she responds so nicely. She is full of potential—smart & sweet & companionable.

We really like Miss Callie! She’s an easy foster with a winning personality. Of course she is housebroken & crate trained, but we don’t even bother with a crate any more, as she respects the baby gate across the doorway when we’re gone. She’ll thrive in a household willing to continue her positive training.

As I glance outside my office door, I can see Miss Callie settled in for her after-lunch nap. She’s holding a bone between her paws, but her eyes are closed and her chin is resting on the hallway rug, and her back is squished up against 12-year-old Ace, as they snooze.

 

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