Training Collars?

For the past month or so, the talk around the clinic (which sounds funny because there's pretty much only three of us) is that we need to get Tad under control.

He is extremely intelligent, and general obedience is not the issue. The puppy gate idea is working well, as long as everyone remembers to keep it shut. If the puppy gate is not shut, and the front doors open setting off the little bell...Tad goes nuts and charges the front doors barking, yowling, and having a great time. He then proceeds to jump on the clients. If he gets to the front before they come in, they won't come in because he sounds so scary. This is completely and 100% unacceptable. He is on the verge of having to be kenneled in the back all day. I don't want to do that, and so we're working on him all day every day.

If the puppy gate remains shut, we're fine. However, if I go to the other side of the puppy gate without him, he goes ape-crazy. He starts barking non-stop, and it's not an 'easy to tune out' bark. He learned that the barking device, which sits on the floor next to the puppy gate, only picks up his deep barks, so he barks in a higher pitch. He is no longer affected by that little bark-box-thing.

The only other two options we can think of are a shock collar that is controlled by a human,which I'd rather not...or a citronella collar. I've not experience with either other than the injuries from shock collars from people who use them incorrectly on their dogs.

I'm leaning more towards a citronella collar...it's pain free, that's my goal. However, if another dog is barking (we are in a veterinary clinic) will it spray Tad? Or does it only pick up on the vibrations of Tad's throat...? If Tad is playing, and his neck vibrates...is it going to squirt him?

I guess we could potentially only put the collar on him when I got to the other side of the gate...that may be a good possibility, and take it back off when I come back across the gate.

Opinions? ...or, opinions without stone throwing would be most helpful. ;)

Cicada Invasion!

If you haven't seen 'Turtle Invasion', then I highly recommend you view that video. Regardless, I want to share 'Cicada Invasion!' with you tonight. I am mad at YouTube, so someone recommended I try Vimeo...I did, and so far so good.

The Abandoned Dog - Cicada Invasion from Tiffany Dieringer on Vimeo.

Point A to Point B

It was four months ago (tomorrow) that I first met Tad. I had every intention of euthanizing him and ending the most horrible suffering I've ever personally seen. You see the ASPCA commercials, you see pictures online, you read stuff in the paper...but I can promise you that it does not 'hit home' until you see it first hand. It's an indescribable feeling...one of heartbreak and one of rage. Who would do this? Why would they do this?

Most of the time...you will never get answers. I'm inclined to think that that's probably best.

I remember all of the people who told me to euthanize him. He had suffered long enough and I was selfish for trying to save him. Those who don't know the whole story still say that to this day after seeing his 'first' picture. I often wonder why it's the nature of many to give up so easily? Don't get me wrong, I would have given up...I would have let him go, but I wouldn't do so until he stopped fighting himself. It would have been more selfish to euthanize him, than to let him keep trying, in my opinion.

He never gave up...not once. He has been through so much in such a short amount of time, and look at where we are now. I look back at the last four months and how they flew by...had I euthanized him, I'd have missed so much.

But, it's not about me...so, I look back on them through Tad's eyes.

I understand now why he looks at me the way he does...

It is not a look that says, 'Mommy' or 'I love you'...but more of, 'You're my hero, and I owe you everything.' It's genuine gratitude, an expression of the most powerful way to say 'thanks'.

I understand now why he acts the way he does...

He has never been given a chance to experience the world without having to fight to survive. I don't want to be blasphemous, but Tad was 'born again'. This is new to him...these experiences, he needs more time. I must remember to be patient.

I understand why he does not let me out of his sight. I understand why he goes absolutely insane when he can't see me or figure out where I am. It all makes sense...and I don't know that 'separation anxiety' is the correct term for it.

I look back at his pictures and videos from the beginning, I don't remember him looking so bad. I don't remember the severity of his many issues. But, then I realize...these are pictures and video, you can't see 'him'. You can't see his will, his fight, his spirit...maybe that is why so many protested trying to save him.

Tad has overcome so much. My battles do not compare to the war the world waged on his body. His problems make mine seem so small... I try to remember this when I'm having a bad day.

When you've lost all hope...I hope that the story of Tad creeps into your mind, and I hope that you realize that this is nothing...you can do it.

No matter how you started out...just remember you can go from Point A to Point B...Tad did it in as little as four months.

Point A

Point B

Ever Growing Fame

I will never cease to be amazed at how far Tad's story has reached, how many hearts he's touched, and how many lives he's changed, both human and animal. I've recieved a few text messages, Facebook messages, and lots of you shared this on Tad's Facebook.

I wanted to share the link here, as well. Tad has turned up on Reddit.com. Thank you, Jarron, for liking Tad's story so much that you shared his story there.

A Dog My Friend Rescued on Reddit.com