The Big Day

Tomorrow is the big day. We are going to pick up Ruby in the morning so we have as much time as possible to allow her to get used to her new surroundings. She needs to feel calm and happy with her new environment so it's important to make as little fuss as possible. That's not going to be easy given that I have a son who is looking forward to having the dog around and a daughter who is close to spontaneously combusting with excitement.

I must admit, I am really looking forward to tomorrow as well. It will be hard to leave Ruby alone to find her feet. We must resist the urge to keep fussing her and picking her up all the time. There will be plenty of time for that once she is settled.

The two words we need to keep right at the front of our minds tomorrow are 'calm' and 'consistent'. Ruby needs to feel as though her presence in the house is the most natural and normal thing in the world. We also need to start the training; slowly and gently of course, but consistently. The same words for commands and as far as possible in the same tone.

Treats and food in the crate will also be good to make her feel that her bed is a good place to be. Frequent trips into the garden so she gets used to the idea of going to the toilet outside. We can't take her out of our property right away as she needs to have the full course of jabs before she is protected against the doggy diseases. But once the jabs are up to date we can start taking her for little walks. By then she should be used to her collar and lead. 

Right. I think we are as ready as we are ever going to be. So here is my last picture taken when in the barn at Leedale Farm on 7th September 2013.

Let's see what tomorrow brings.