So after I made Katie get off the bed (see initial post below) she sulked off and I went back to sleep. About 40 minutes later husband woke up and asked where Katie was. I said I didn’t know, she hated me and had wandered off mad. He got up, searched all over the house and couldn’t find her. When he came back to the bedroom he happened to glance over at the crate that she hasn’t used in over a year.
There she was, curled up in her crate! And even odder, she didn’t get up and follow him around while he looked all over the house for her! Cause she’s ticked off! And maybe because her crate is her safe place. Which isn’t a bad thing at all.
Silly girl! (image is from her puppyhood. Long, long ago)
Change Is Hard 
January 10, 2010 at 10:11 am
Good for you for being strong. Its hard. Diana
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January 10, 2010 at 11:00 am
Sounds like Katie is a fast learner. You are strong, I would have caved with the bed thing.
However, you’ve inspired me to work on desensitizing too.
Started this morning when I went to get the crock pot down off the top shelf of the cabinet. This always sends the dogs into a frenzy. Took out some treats, made them sit, while I stood on the chair and got down the crock pot…..no barking! Thanks Dawn, for reminding me that a little moment of peace is in my control.
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January 10, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Glad things are working out. It can be tough to be consistant and strong. While it is the best for everyone involved, it can be very tough to do.
As for the crate, Essex liked her crate. It is her safe haven.
Dog Dad, Essex & Deacon
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January 10, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Dawn, you’re doing great. This is, for me at least, one of the hardest things to do. My first several Shelties didn’t seem to have the problems you’ve described. But some subsequent Shelties, including some rescues we have now, have had confidence problems.
Dogs, we’re constantly reminded, like structure. Wild packs of canids are highly structured and there is never a question of who’s in charge…at least, not for very long. When the alpha male or female starts to falter, somebody else takes over in a flash, restoring functionality to the pack.
Dogs in human environments have the same need for structure, but do not have the resources to replace us as pack leaders. That is, they can’t get food for the pack (“anybody know where mom left the car keys? and who can reach the pedals?”), etc. But the instinct to constantly test is there. If the humans aren’t willing to lead, then the dog is evolutionarily forced to try, and the results are usually disastrous.
It is our responsibility to provide the structure that our furkids need, and that sometimes requires us to act like a pack leader in ways that make us give up something we want, such as snuggling in bed at night. But it’s my experience that the bond between human and dog becomes just that much better when the dog knows that he/she can depend on the human for not only food and love, but also structure and order and dependability.
It’s going to be hard to do, for a while, without some of the interaction you and Katie have been having, and Katie will pout and sulk some at not getting what she wants, but the end result is going to be an even closer bond when she learns that she doesn’t have to take responsibility for making household decisions, but that you shoulder that burden on her behalf.
Now go give that little girl a great big hug and tell her that a human-Sheltie told her she’s a good girl 🙂
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January 10, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Maybe Katie was just being a little angel 😉 I’ve given up trying to keep Ludo off things, he just jumps onto the next thing. lol
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January 11, 2010 at 10:39 am
I’m glad you’re seeing improvements so quickly. A few years back my husband and I made the decision to have the shelties sleep in their crates. It was for a couple reasons. One being that we weren’t able to get much sleep with all of them grouching for the best positions on the bed and also at the advice of a trainer that I really respected. We love it! They adjusted quickly and we still let everyone get on the bed for an hour or so early in the morning after they all go out to potty. It’s the best of both worlds!
One thing that I might suggest…Sometimes when you see behavioral changes, they can be a result of something physical or chemical that is changing in the dog too. So, I always suggest having bloodwork done to see if there is a change in thyroid levels, or anything else that needs to be addressed along with the behavioral issues. It’s just a thought, and whatever you decide to do, I know that you have Katie’s best interests at heart. She’s a very fortunate girl!
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