Step One: Crates.

I went to PetSmart last night and got two more crates (should have had them already, I know!) and we began crate acclimation. We had snacks in crates, and then later on we had dinner in crates. The photo above shows, (left to right) Ava, Frankie, and Katie, eating dinner in their crates.

I've got Good News, I've Got Bad News. Who Could Ask For Anything More?

The Good News: 

Ava is potty trained! (The crowd goes wild) It took a while, I cleaned up lots of "mistakes," but she's finally got it. We have the back yard, and we have potty pads for nighttime, or when it's too cold/wet to go out. So, we pat ourselves on the back, for a job well done...and then....

The Bad News: 

Ava is demonstrating signs of real anxiety. She's barking and growling at inappropriate things. She's aggressive toward Katie. Three times now, they've gotten themselves so strung out and over-excited that they started fighting. Yes, we've had fights.

Last night, while chillaxing on the couch, Ava started after Katie. Reason: Katie was near Mom (aka Me).  Classic jealousy, with insecurity and confusion mixed in. It started as a growl from Ava, then Katie started, and I merely said, "Stop it, both of you, that's enough."   

(Director's log: What I should have done was to get up and leave the room. But I didn't. I wasn't paying enough attention to these vital clues. Big, very big mistake.)

Well, they went AT it. A ball of white fur flying. I tried (TRIED) to be calm, as I tried to pull their back ends apart by their tails (which is actually a recommended practice, I didn't make this up). It wasn't working and Frankie (very distressed, as you might imagine, at seeing his two best friends attacking one another) began tugging on Ava's back legs. Still not working. 

So I did what I KNOW not to do....I KNOW not to do this. I TELL people not to do this; 

I got my hands in there and wrenched and pulled their little mouths off of each other. 

Well, okay so it worked. 

But I got bit! On the finger. On my nail. It felt like someone had hit my nail with a hammer. OW! I don't know who did it, but it hurt like a muherfoher.

We ALL went away from one another, all in pain. And Frankie is standing in the center of it all, wondering what just happened, and what to do. Her face was full of sadness. 

After I confirmed that cold water wasn't going to stop the pain in my finger, I saw to the two dogs. Ava had a cut on her one good ear. not deep, mostly it was soggy with saliva. just a nick. 

Katie had a small knick under her eye. She was woeful. Woe was Katie. 

Then, we all got cleaned up and we resumed watching television until bedtime. Like nothing happened. 

For three seconds, the thought crossed my mind to take Ava back to the shelter. Three seconds. But that's all it took to remind me that if Ava has problems, and she needs better support, I am capable of providing it. I know more than most about what to do. I just have been too f--ing lazy to do it. 

It's time to whip this fuzzy family into shape.

So, stay tuned, as we begin "The Good Dog:  Boot Camp Edition!"