[Amaryllis]

When I first got Kabota, I understood that it would take some time for him to settle in. I did. So when he spent the first 2 weeks on the couch, I waited. I rewarded any interaction, no matter how subtle. I settled in to wait.

And wait I did. He never really wagged his tail. He never really looked at us. He didn't seem to notice when we talked to him. He never seemed too interested in us unless we were holding food. Then he was interested in the food. Sometimes I could get him to play with me, but not often.

After 6 months, I had just about given up that Kabota was ever going to be a truly interactive dog. I figured that he'd obviously missed to crucial interaction window and this was the best he could do. I still loved him, I just felt a bit sorry for him. He'd been neglected for his entire life and that was that.

Last night, I watched him catch and eat a fly and I said, "Kabota, you're a strange little dog."

He looked at me, smiled and wagged his tail. A real wag. A big, brushy, side to side wag I'd never seen before. Not from him.

7 months, you guys. It took 7 months, but Kabota wags his tail now. I cried.

 

[Abbylynn]

Awwwe .... That makes me teary eyed too! Congratulations!

 

[Kayota]

Aw that's fantastic!

 

[WhoRescuedWho?]

Awwwe .... That makes me teary eyed too! Congratulations!

Me too!! and I commend you for your patience, I'm very excited for you :clap2:

 

[cookieface]

Oh, happy day! This just made me love Kabota a little more. (Yeah, my secret is out. I'm in love with your dog )

 

[Amaryllis]

Thank you! He also learned "bone". I spent months teaching him "c'mere", but after 3 weeks (so 21 repetitions), I said, "Do you want your bone?" and he ran straight to the fridge. I think he's finally getting it. (Or I need to use marrow bones as rewards.) (Or I need to use "bone" as my recall word.)

 

[WhoRescuedWho?]

Thank you! He also learned "bone". I spent months teaching him "c'mere", but after 3 weeks (so 21 repetitions), I said, "Do you want your bone?" and he ran straight to the fridge. I think he's finally getting it. (Or I need to use marrow bones as rewards.) (Or I need to use "bone" as my recall word.)

only if your recalling him to the fridge ;-)

 

[bonesygirl]

My rescue wasn't fearful, but he was never told that humans could provide anything that wasn't absolutely essential to his life. He would ask to go out and ask to be fed, but he never initiated contact outside of those needs. I remember the joy I felt the first time he moseyed on over to me, and leaned against my side for a petting. I totally cried.

So congrats! That's wonderful news!!

 

[hamandeggs]

Aw, how wonderful! I love your Kabota rescue-blossoming stories. These always make me so happy!

 

[winniec777]

That's terrific - congrats!!