Meet My Therapy Dog, Rigby

Meet My Therapy Dog, Rigby!

September 17th, 11:33

Current Mood:

anxious

He's not technically a therapy dog, but I will tell you, since bringing him home, I haven't noticed my TN very much. I've been too busy!! I'm actually very surprised bringing home Rigby hasn't triggered my attacks due to the stress and severe lack of sleep.

DO NOT LET THIS PHOTO FOOL YOU!  He's not sleeping through the night. Just like a new baby, he's up all night, needing our attention. He is not yet 3 months old. I'm hoping he really will grow out of this phase. I'm sure once he does, I will miss his cute teeny tiny-ness.

Our family has been thinking about getting a Pembroke Corgi for quite awhile now. This wasn't an impulse buy, although finding him feels impulsive. I had just about given up being able to find an available Corgi, when he became available. We had started looking at shelter dogs, but quickly realized we needed our dog to have a good temperament to begin with to make the transition easier for our kitty.

I'm pleased with how well it is going with Yumi. She seems to tolerate him but she does have the high ground. Rigby is low and can't jump or climb stairs yet. When Yumi needs to, she can get away into the Game Cave, or she watches him from on top of her chair. Last evening they were even sleeping within 3 feet of one another.
Wait, did I say Rigby was sleeping?

Over nights have been the greatest challenge. We've tried the crate in our room, the crate out of our room. Tonight I'll give the family ear plugs and we'll try no crate, or maybe go back to crate in our room. Its hard to figure out. He doesn't seem to be whining to tell us he needs to go potty. He's had plenty of puppy accidents. Our noses tell us its time to clean his crate. It doesn't seem to bother him and he'll just go.

We will have to take baby steps with our new baby. I think trying to potty train, crate train, collar train all at once is expecting too much. I'm sure we'll get there, and one day he'll be our walking companion as I dream he'll be.

After this stressful weekend, I've decided this week we're just going to relax and settle in. Its a big change for our family. He is a dog, not a baby, but its a big change. We're all feeling a little anxious, and I know that doesn't help Rigby feel at home.