Hi y’all! I’ve had and loved Heelers for years. I rescued my 5-year-old blue girl Koda 8 months ago. She’s shown some mild signs of post-shelter anxiety since. I adopted her while dating my now-ex boyfriend, and over this time we have become her ‘pack’! But Koda and I will have our own place soon, and I know how much she is going to miss my ex. To make it more complicated, he has a cat that she has bonded with. I feel so bad that she will be separated from these beings that she loves, especially being a rescue and having bonded so much with her new family. What can I do to help her cope and adapt during this process? I plan to spend as much time with her as possible, plenty of exercise, and all the love. But I’m hoping some experienced ACD owners might have some extra tricks and tips for me. Thank you in advance!!
Well ....... in my blue girls case , we had to get her a boy pup to keep life interesting when the right one showed up. She always wanted her own dog friend. I’m fortunate enough to be in a position with enough space and time to accommodate and chauffeur them around on their adventures. It was obvious there was space for more in both our lives , so we three are now in agreement
What about joining a training club and see whether she likes meeting other dogs, doing obedience, agility or trick training. Brain games like searching or following a track to find a reward are good too. Leave her with chews and toys which last a long time, like dried sinew, or Kong toys with a frozen centre. If she loves cats, what about a kitten for company while you have to work or socialise?
H, i New here! I would ask my dear how much time you have at home these days? I ask as do you think it would help if you work, to have a good friend come in and take your good Cattlekid out for play time while you are gone? One of the facts about ACDs I have found over the years of ACD Rescue with Pet Adoption Network in Oregon(My ACD Ben and I am now on the East Coast though. What a culture shock! LOL) is that when new rescue foster dogs would come to me, they would switch allegiance in a heartbeat from old owner(to the rescuer, me and to my ACD Posse of three. This is a great thing about these Cattlekids is they will do that as long as the person who steps in is a leader. I think you already know that and can handle it. I would not worry in the slightest about your good girl as you are knowledgeable and smart and filling her time with constructive activities .Mighten we see a pix? I don['t know how to post one but I bet someone here could educate me!
