Belle update 9.28.09

Belle is doing great.

As promised, we are having long LONG walks everyday, she seems to like it, and again, she starts felling more confident, although sometimes she gets very scared about very simple things such a trash bags, weird big plants or even umbrellas (Saturday was raining so I pull out and umbrella from the closet and she cuddle down scared right away, so we walked without it) therefore I'm avoiding things that may scare her.

***

I wouldn't completely keep things away from her she is afraid of. Just introduce them slowly and a teeny bit at a time. For example, now that you know she is afraid of the umbrella, maybe leave it out where she can see it once in a while. Once she seems ok with that. Pick it up and put it down when she is watching. Once she gets used to that, open it in front of her - maybe leave it out where she can see it opened for a while. Once she is ok with that, pick it up in front of her a few times. Once she is ok with that, open it and close it in front of her. And so on. Just teeny steps in amounts she can handle over a period of plenty of time. Otherwise she will never get used to it and chances of her never coming across an umbrella in her life are pretty slim! :-) Then eventually, when you take the umbrella out when you actually need it, she won't think it is such a big deal. Same kind of thing with the vaccuum cleaner and other things you notice she is afraid of. And if you can think of a way to make it into a game - all the better. You can reinforce with treats as well.
***

Beside that she is really getting use to the place and of course to us, she LOOOOOVES being kissed and hugged, sometimes she kisses back and lately, sometimes, she follows more commands, but once she sees a toy, then she can't focus anymore, I know it is a matter of training and time.

I have to confess that I'm such an easy mom, yesterday, she just "upgrade" herself to nap on the couch, and I let her be, little by little she is gaining some space toward her boundaries but at the same time she's getting use to obey other unbreakable rules, such as not jumping or look for food over the oven (never) or chewing furniture (she tried), chewing our clothing or sleeping on our bed, somehow we are getting along with each other, we like her very much.

Yesterday she was very cute, I gave her a shower and she behaved very well, after I dried her hair, she started jumping and running all over the place very happy and exited, after all her running she decided to take a nap. She seems happy to me, and we are really happy to have her.