Elda Enjoying Some Space

Elda has been with us for two weeks today. It’s been slow progress, with only small steps so far, but at least they're in the right direction. We've observed some changes over the last couple of days. 

Although sometimes vocal, she seemed excited when we approached with food (she’s eating well). This morning, after securing the surrounding garden, we opened the door to her run. We didn’t interact, and simply opened it and walked away. We sat and watched Elda come straight out. 

For the first 10 minutes, she explored her new surroundings. Dogs generally enjoy sniffing around, but this was intense. Then, she suddenly burst into a run. At first we feared that something had spooked her, but it appeared she just enjoyed running in such a mad fashion|!💕 

We were careful not to over do it on her first session. The 15-20 minutes allowed was ample. It's good to end on a high note rather than souring the experience for the dog by pushing too hard. I put food parcels in her run, but as she saw me head towards it she raced back in. We’ve not attempted to interact with her yet - that will come when she is ready. But this is still a great moment for her rehabilitation. Well done Elda. We're all very proud of you! 💗

Lawrence's Drive Thru - Chicken Wings to Go

 

There's no time to rest at Lawrence's Drive Thru as the customers are always in a rush. Nor surprisingly. chicken is always a customer favourite.

General Care Topics - Mentally Stimulating Games

Image credit - lewiscollard.com

Our resident behaviour expert Lisa Herd has provided another useful article with a number of suggestions for simple games to keep your dog active and mentally stimulated. Learn more about her work and the services she provides on her website - https://www.dogbehaviourclinic.co.uk/ 

As with many of our published articles they apply to other breeds as well as GSDs. It was originally part of the puppy care series, but tyhese activities can easily include older dogs - especially those who didnj't have the opportuniy to learn them when they were pups.

We also now have an Article Archive which can be found here - https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html

Mentally Stimulating Games

• Use an old cardboard box with crumpled up paper – just put some of his food in the box and let him forage.
• Using a plastic container with a lid - first use only one box to get him used to the concept of searching in there for a treat, leaving the lid loose so he can nose it off. Then you can gradually make things harder by hiding the box behind a chair while he waits, (great impulse control) or covering the box with a towel, sealing the box, using multiple boxes with only one containing the food or putting the box with treats inside another box. You can do elevated positions and use boxes placed in different rooms.The list is endless, but the idea is to get creative.
• A muffin tray with tiny treats hidden under object such as Kong’s, plastic bottles,squeaky toys, Kong balls, Nyla bones etc is ideal.
• A drawer organiser for cutlery can be loaded with toys and treats to find
• An old towel with tiny treats or toys folded into it to find
• Sprinkles outside
• Snuffle mat time
• Impulse control games such as Wait, while you place down or drop-down treats to the floor
• Wait before putting down a mental stimulation game or his food
• Calm sniffy walks
• You could ask for Wait and quickly hide a ball a little way away. Release him by saying 'find it'. As he learns the game you can make the task more difficult, placing the ball behind things etc, lengthening the time he has to wait and even going into a different room.
• It’s your choice game - Elbow anchored on knee so that the hand does not move(otherwise it becomes a game) Thumb tucked in to avoid nibbling, handful of tiny treats in your closed fist.
  
  
  Your dog will try everything to get your hand open to access the treats. Say nothing and keep your hand still and closed. Only give a treat from the closed hand if the dog backs off. If he moves forward as you open your hand, quickly close it again. Say nothing, and just wait until the dog backs away and stops trying to access the treats. When he stops, begin to open your hand and give one of the treats, quickly closing it again. If he immediately comes forward to take one, close your hand again. Wait until he backs off and stops trying – you are working towards having your hand flat with treats on and your dog not attempting to take one. We could teach Wait, but this is about getting your dog to be a thinking dog, working out how to make the hand open.
• Food chase and hunt - This is the simplest way to introduce nose work. Show the dog a treat then throw it a short distance from you. The dog then has to use his nose to find it. With practice the dog should be able to start to find it in harder situations such as long grass or further away. As soon as the dog finds the food, excitedly call the dog and show them the next piece of food. Then as the dog approaches throw the food and so on.
• Scatter feeding - Anxious dogs that get very excited and jump up, scatter feeding can be useful way of encouraging incompatible behaviours. When arriving home throw a handful of treats on the floor or out in the garden for the dog to search out and keep them busy, diffusing the situation.

GSD Welfare Fund Stickers Available

Large Circle GSD Head

Die Cut Full Logo Sticker

We're pleased to offer a small range of stickers to our supporters and many thanks to Pamela for suggesting them when we revealed our new logo. 

There are three types available:

Small Circle Stickers

• Die cut full logo - a shaped full colour sticker approximately 6 cm in size of the new logo - £2 each
• Large circle GSD head - a large circle with the GSD head from our new logo, approximately 5 cm - £1 each
• Small circle sticker - a smaller version of the large circle GSD head - 50p each

Postage and package is £1 per order for delivery within mainland UK.

Numbers are limited, so make sure to get your orders in quickly - if they prove popular we'll order another batch once this one is sold. To place your order contact me directly via Messenger.

Elda's Progress - A Chimkin in the Hand...

Elda has been with us for 9 days now, and we're still taking it very slowly with her. Any progress we see is from her own initiative. She still barks if I go near, but not as  intensely as when she first arrived. She is taking treats out of my hand now - which is fantastic. This gradual improvement as she gets used to her new and me, is just what we want to see,

Debbie Hill

Chairman of the GSD Welfare Fund

You can help fund Elda's rehabilitation by sponsoring her or our other dogs in our long term care here - https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/sponsor-our-dogs.html

Elda Meets Dickie and Elda's Sponsorship Now Available

It was a cautious introduction and we kept plenty of space between them so as not to cause alarm. There's no rush here to force a result. We let Elda gain confidence at her own pace, and become used to being around other dogs.

"Dickie Hill here pupstars and I've been on a very important mission! I've been an assistance dog as part of the new dog, Elda's rehabilitation. Mum knew I would be the best dog for this. Calm under pressure and with my attention not focused on her- my behaviour kept Elda calm. Besides, delicious treats will always be the number  one priority. Until next time everyone! 🐾🐾🐾"

As well as Elda's steady progress so far, we're also pleased to announce that Elda can be now be sponsored directly. Visit our sponsoring page to sponsor her and some of our long term residents now - https://gsdwelfare.blogspot.com/p/sponsor-our-dogs.html

Attention Bing Users - You can now Donate Rewards to the GSD Welfare Fund

Support the GSD Welfare Fund through Give with Bing

Microsoft Rewards lets you support the GSD Welfare Fund through its Give with Bing program. After signing up and selecting our organisation, you can earn rewards points just for searching the web with Bing. Microsoft then turns those points into cash donations to us.

The program is free--you just need to sign up with a Microsoft account. As of May 2021, Microsoft Rewards has donated more than [$6.5 million] to nonprofits around the world.

Join now https://bing.com/?publ=BINGIP&crea=MY01TS&form=MY01TS&ocid=MY01TS&programname=OrganicAcquisution-Toolkit&cid=826-274076