[Dailydrool] Mia

[Sally King]

I am sad to say Mia will soon be heading off to continue her foster life with a specialist.

She is such a complex little girl who will need many more weeks of loving care and training before she can be adopted, but as I now co-parent my son's young children she cannot stay here. 

Most of the time, you could not meet a sweeter, more gentle, loving dog. However, she is carrying the damage of early life experiences when she was beaten and threatened as a means of "training".

She is a resource guarder, but not with everything, it's mainly the sofa. And her guarding is a full-on defence of her space. She has bitten me more than once, attacked Hettie, and she will not back down. She is now not allowed on the sofa, but works very hard (in the way only a basset can) to get up when I am not in the room, or my attention moves  away from her. 


We have just about got to the point where she will get off for a high value treat, but I can't trust her. Hettie is allowed on the sofa, so Mia attacks Hettie when she gets off - and at other times of jealousy. Having said that, they now play together and yesterday, even snuggled on a dog bed together.


After any major incident, Mia's behaviour the following day is that of a very frightened dog . She only leaves her bed to eat and her body language is pitiful. Even though she loves her walks, she won't come to get her lead on, I have to go to her. It's so sad.

Drool to all who need it.
Sally, with Hettie and Foster Mia
PS, just in case anyone is wondering, I only use positive reinforcement training. 








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