Bela can run!

Its hard to imagine a sheltie that wouldn't run or wag their tail, she must've been traumatized :(
Seeing her progress is very inspiring. I really admire you for taking the time, effort and love in order to give Bela the life she deserves! It looks like they had lots of fun and I hope things keep getting better (I'm sure they will) :yes:
 
Bela sure enjoyed herself :smile2:. And she was so interested in the other dogs, most of her running was along the fence w/big dogs. She's come a long way, it's so nice to see her happy & secure.
 
As I type, George just climbed up on the couch beside me and gave me a paw tap and some love; this from the dog who ran away from me if I even stood up or coughed! His glitch right now is that we say, "come, George" and he comes 50% of the time and the other half stands there and blinks as if his "computer" isn't connected, lol. I love the little stinker. Our Gracie, the same age and Miss Perfect, looks at us as if to say, "Brain damage, obviously!" I love those dogs and can't believe they will be 2 years old in March; George and I have the same birthday-he was destined to be mine!
He sired a litter of puppies last summer and the little male looked just like him. I almost owned 3 shelties!
 
It sounds like Bella has made such an improvement. How did she act toward other dogs before?

I'm so glad that she's found a new life filled with such love. An encouraging video that made me happy to watch!
 
Bela's never really had a problem with other dogs - she loves them. The lady who was fostering her had her running the house with her other five Shelties, and she was fine being part of the pack. It's people she is skittish around. Not me, obviously, but there was a time when my husband (NOT dog people, and ex-military to boot) was a big, scary monster to her. He's been at home recovering from a heart ailment for the past six months, and she now will lay on him when she feels like it.

I was full of ambition for training her when I first got her. But after a couple of days I knew that was not to be. She just didn't have the confidence. And you really can't train a traumatized dog.

So right now, the only things she knows are what she's picked up. Unfortunately, come isn't one of them. She will gladly put her nose to a touch stick if it means food, and she knows what "wait", "ride", "hungry", "thirsty", and "sister" mean. She actually has a large vocabulary considering the lack of formal training.

She's loved any other dogs she's come across except for a very unruly pack of boxers she met in the dog park about a year ago. They ganged up on her and got a little rude, and she showed them her teeth. When they didn't stop, she growled as well, and was definitely not scared. But she acted appropriately, and I removed her from the situation as soon as possible. (And I got up in the boxer guy's face and yelled and made a huge scene because he was just laughing and refused to curb his dogs.)
 
Wow, Jaynie-you were right about surprises: tonight George was more loving and sweet than ever-giving me kisses; coming to me instead of my husband (that usually never happens)--climbing into my lap. It was as if he had fallen in love with me, if that makes sense. He continues to astound me!
 
That is coming a long way. I'm glad that she was only really ever shy of people. It's so difficult to re-socialize a shy dog (I'm having problems with that right now with mine). The fact that she now accepts your husband is such a good thing. I'm sure she'll warm up to other people soon with some time.

That's most certainly a great vocabulary for what she's been through. And don't worry. "Come" is a tricky one :yes:

Really?! The Boxer pack's owner didn't stop them. And worse, he laughed? That's just incredibly rude! His dogs might cause another canine to distrust others with that behavior. I'm glad you yelled at him. He deserved to be taught a little lesson about manners at the dog park. A lot of people do, unfortunately.

Did Georgie come from the same place as Bella? You guys must be so proud of him too. It amazes me every time that dogs who went through something traumatic can trust people and other animals again.
 
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