Alpha!

[dakski]

Alpha looks like a great dog- really fitting in. My dog is like that too-there's hardly ever any need for a correction but they must be very gentle- she had many years before I adopted her, so who knows what she went thru, much like your dog. I just adopted a second dog actually, & she's still healing from having a LOT of dental work (most of her teeth out due to neglect)- her owner said they were 'moving' & left her at the shelter- maybe they lost their job or something, but they clearly had trouble affording her to begin with (judging from her teeth). She's a sweet girl though that seems to get along with my other dog- has some understandable separation anxiety though. She "never barks" (according to shelter & my own observations) until I went outside to mow the grass the other day, & I could hear her barking the whole time in the house, protesting. And when I took a shower, she laid on the bathmat (!) Did she really think I might go down the drain to escape? Silly dog...

You are always rolling the dice when you adopt a dog. However, in my experience, it works out most of the time, and there is often a kind of appreciation that comes with the love they give. It is very rewarding.

As I am sure you know, your little girl may settle in, but they are no guarantees.

Alpha had some teeth issues as well as the heartworm troubles we had to go through.

Also the shelter told us she was "not food driven." She was sick when we got her. As soon as she healed up (the heartworm came later) - holy smokes. This dog loves, I mean loves, food. Aside from struggling with corrections, the food drive helps us train her.

I hear it takes 3-4 months before a shelter dog settles in and you know what it's going to be like long-term. Alpha hit 3 months and seemingly hit adolescence. She started talking back and pushing boundaries. Katie and I are strict but kind and fair. We are also consistent. That helped all of us through that time. Alpha is still a little stubborn and certainly "talky" sometimes, but we do not tolerate it and it is few and far between.

@Bogertophis, good luck with your little girl and keep us posted.