Our first week together!

Well Jade & I have had quite an exciting 6 weeks or so together. I will start with a little re-cap of the first week.

I picked Jade up in the afternoon on a Wednesday from her foster mom. I had met her twice before that and one time had been at the park with her and her foster mom. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to adopt a rescue as it gives the dog a chance to spend a little time with you before just being taken away from their foster home. Jade was too scared to even jump into my back seat after I picked her up and I had to put her bone on the seat that her foster mom had given me to coax her up. She was great on the drive home and just sat quietly on the seat. When we got to my apartment Jade was very very scared and unsure. I knew she would probably be a little uneasy but I was surprised by just how uncomfortable she was. She stayed by the door we had come in for a few hours and I couldn't even coax her away from it. Finally she felt a bit more comfortable and I walked her around the apartment on her leash showing her every nook and cranny.  I then fed her dinner but I really had to coax her and convince her it was okay to eat it. Every time I moved at all Jade would flinch. She was very very skiddish. Later on in the evening she finally let me rub her belly which was great progress!

On the way home after I picked Jade up from her foster home.

When it came time for bed Jade wanted nothing to do with her bed or sleeping in my bedroom with me. She stayed in the living room all night. Jade actually didn't start sleeping in the bedroom with me, except for sporadically, until about 3 weeks to a month after having her. Jade met my parents the next morning and was very skiddish and wouldn't go near either of them to get pet. She then came in to the office with me where she repeated this not really wanted much to do with anyone. I kept her leash on as she kept trying to get out of my office and wander around the building. I"m not going to lie it actually kind of hurt that she didn't really want anything to do with me. Especially when I had already fallen in love with her and I wanted her to love me so badly!

So for the this week Jade and I spent basically every minute together and went on lots of walks and I gave her lots of treats! When people would come over to the apartment she would hide in the other room and when we were out she would try to get away from anyone that tried to pet her. If anyone moved to quickly or put their hand above her hand she would duck. I continuously carried treats on me and by the end of the week she started taking treats from people and was showing much more confidence! I was so happy to see her improving so quickly.

Jade also went to her first day of doggie day care in her first week with me and did great! The daycare staff said she had tons of fun and played great with all the other dogs. She was starting to become much more affectionate with me as well and by the end of the first week had no problems eating her food as soon as I put it down.

So for anyone adopting a dog don't expect them to be comfortable right away and don't be hurt if they don't love you right off the bat. Especially when you don't know their past it may take a while for the dog to feel safe with you. Trust me it gets better, and when it does it is such a rewarding feeling!!!