Toby, Episode 2

Its nearly midnight but I managed another video diary entry, a funny clip of Toby on his back asleep.

If the video fails to play here is the Youtube link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQlBhIQtR3s&feature=youtu.be 

So it's been 48 hours that we have had Toby and it is going really well, I had a bit of a quiver this morning and didn't think we could Foster him for much longer as I was worried about him not getting along with Beau and that my Mom and Dad wouldn' be able to cope with 3 dogs. This then all went out the window when Jay rang me and really helped me in realising that this is normal behaviour for dog and although we might get growls or snarling it will stop and rarely ends in big bust up. This was a good thing to hear as this big bust up was a worry. But saying all that I have had 5 growls all day and Toby has even taken toys up to Beau and rolled on his back in front of her so that he will play with him, so going a lot better. Beau is starting to like him more now and goes and sits next to him and so does Toby.


Toby is a very quick learner and I had both in the kitchen training them tricks today at the same time. Toby sits really well, lies down, gives you paw, waits and leaves food and gets off furniture when asked, he hasn't even jumped on the bed today.  This took me months to teach Beau how to do this. The most endearing thing is that he was not very good at paw on Sunday but today he looks over to Beau to see what to do to get the treat and does it every time. Another nice difference in the both of them is that he is not food driven like most Shar Pei and will do anything for his tennis ball.


One important thing that Jay did say to me today was that rescue dogs need to feel safe and the only way for them to feel safe is to have a pack leader. That would be me, and after watching some of The Dog whisper I was reminded how important body language is. When Toby brings you he ball you have to take it out of his mouth, he is very gentle but does want to play tug of war, not wise for a breed like this, so it's shoulders back, chest out and don't look at him, and hey presto you have got the ball. I told my mom and dad to try this today and I think even they were surprised that it worked and it made them realise that he does need a pack leader and that body language is important.