We are learning our signals.

[2Chiwawa]

Hi All, I just wanted to let you know that Gracie and I are working with the "foster lady". She is teaching me and Gracie to learn each other's signals. She explained that I am giving a "signal" to Gracie with my body language, gestures, or tone of voice that triggers the biting. She also told me to look for any signal that Gracie would give just prior to the biting. Once we know Gracie's signal I can then learn a behavior that will prevent the biting.

I am very encouraged by the help I am getting. I love Gracie more than ever because the last incident made me have to think about my committment to her and what she means to me. I learned I still feel totally committed to solving her problem so that I can keep her forever. In short, I love her plain and simple.

[Amaze]

What a relief for both of you to get help-I am so glad the foster mom is able to work with you! I know you guys will figure this out and I know how much you love her! Good for you!

Our paws are crossed for you guys to figure it out!
Alyssa

[Chiluv]

What a relief for both of you to get help-I am so glad the foster mom is able to work with you! I know you guys will figure this out and I know how much you love her! Good for you!

Our paws are crossed for you guys to figure it out!
Alyssa


That is wonderful! Our paws are crossed here too for you to figure out how to help Gracie.

[Bev&Casey]

This is so interesting. What have you learned so far Faye?

Gracie sounds like our wayward cat Debra-Faye, she has signals too....they are hissing, growling, biting. That means leave me the heck alone! Cats seem easier to read, I'm anxious to hear what Gracie's are. When Casey wants the supper off my plate, she wipes her face. (a trick that always gets her what she wants)

Bevandcasey

[2Chiwawa]

Hi Bev,

It is interesting. Especially now that I'm not so upset. :)

I have learned three things:

1. Gracie is possessive (sp?). If there is something that she thinks she "has" or "is hers" she will snap if she thinks you are going to take it from her. This includes a bug on the floor that she is "guarding" or anything she is lying on. If you gesture with your hand near her she thinks you are reaching for what she has and she will snap.

2. Gracie will also interpret any hand movement toward her face as an admonishment and she will snap. Why I don't know because she has never been hit or struck in any way that I know of.

3. Gracie has an unusually high startle reflex when she is sleeping. She will wake up snapping if startled.

So Gracie sounds like a real pill. And she is. But this is only 3% of the time. The other 97% she is a good, funny, wigglie, girl who I love. So I will keep trying with her. Needless to say, the first lesson is that I shouldn't gesture toward her:razz: or wake her up when she is sound asleep. Duh on my part. You would be surprised how often you gesture toward your dog!

What SHE has to learn I'm working on and will update you all soon.