KC (aka SHEBA)

Oh, we've been having our fun with this little stinker. We learned she loves to dig. When we went to the beach two weekends ago, she dug out of the kennel during the first night we were there. It was clear she had hung around most of the night, but was missing in the morning (sometime after 2 am when I last checked on her). I was out at 6:00 am looking for her and found her down the street at a neighbor's house. So, for the weekend she spent her nights "cabled" to the kennel.

If we put her inside the kennel on the cable, she dug out.

If we put her on the outside of the kennel, she dug back in!

So, instead of laying the foundation for a walkway to our front door that weekend, I spent the weekend laying forms for a concrete slab for the kennel. I think the people I contracted will pour the slab this week. Then we can put the kennel on the slab and I will be able to sleep at night without worry.

KC was not in top physical shape at the beginning of the weekend. The first 5 mile hike really wore her out, and she got cramps in her hind legs on and off the rest of the day. But, she has responded quickly and after a few more hikes is getting into shape. We've tried her off leash, but she will run off after a while. She loves to go swimming with Mika and it is quite a sight to see two mals running through the surf chasing a flock of birds. Fortunately, Mika is real good about "herding" her when she wants to run off, so when the two of them are together we can have some off-leash time for her (about 5-10 minutes at most for now).

Back at home I have been working with her every morning and night. She has learned that she won't get out of the kennel without sitting first and she is capable of walking calmly on leash. KC and Mika do travel well together in the truck; I don't think we will be needing a crate for her after all.

She isn't as hand-shy anymore and will come up to me to get her ears scratched, and she loves to have her tummy rubbed.

She only appears dominant with Mika, she and Mally seem to get along fine. Nor is she dominant to Alison or me, and will readily roll over into a submissive position on her back (probably because she knows she will get her tummy rubbed). I can take food (a bone or leather chew) from her mouth without her snarling or nipping. Unlike Mika, she does recognize that fingers are not an hors d'oeuvre.

We are going to enclose an area about 150' x 60' with fence to have a larger run as I would like to have more time for her off-leash. I hate to admit it, but this dog may never be completely trustworthy off-leash. It will probably take me through next month to get the fence finished.

I guess I can see why she might not have done well in other homes. She is wonderfully cute, can be very sweet and loving (she'll lick your face or offer a paw for shaking), but when her mischievous side comes out, it can try your patience. I think she is another dog that has received too much physical discipline. When she knows I am unhappy with something she has done, she ducks and cowers. We are using treat-training methods to work on the hand-shy problem and that is helping get her confidence up. I hope in a few months she will come to know that we take good care of our critters and that she is safe with us.