Less barking...marginally...... and celebrity friends!

This week has seen some changes to how we are dealing with Barkus Clarkus whilst he is at work with me to try and curtail his barking and yipping. We have tried Calmex and Zylkene, we tried ignoring him, we tried moving him around the kennels with more or less view but to no avail. Rachael, one of our great nurses, who has been putting up with the noise thought about him all the way home on Tuesday and came up with a new theory. We are lucky to have such great people to work with who have so much compassion and love for animals.....even noisy terrierists!!  

 Snuggles 

Rachael thought that maybe Clark was frustrated as he felt we couldn't hear him despite all his barking and was not going to stop because he is a tenacious terrier and can't give up on something until the desired result has been achieved i.e. attention.  By everyone ignoring him and me being the only one to go in when he was quiet to take him for a wee she thought maybe he is saying to him 'why can no one hear me?' & 'If I bark loud enough surely someone will hear me'.  So, with this in mind, we have changed tactics and now whenever he is quiet someone in the prep room goes in and gives him a treat - kibble, milky bone, anything tasty but when they need to go in the kennels and he is barking they say 'no' and walk away. We had some success with this on Wednesday and he was getting quieter throughout the day. He was praised for being quiet and told 'no' for noise.  Also the nurses and care assistants are taking him for wee breaks so he knows he doesn't have to rely on me and that anyone one of us will give him cuddles and take him out.

It will not be a quick fix but we have all decided he is not stressed about the environment he just wants to be acknowledged. The noise is a shout for attention not from fear or anxiety so we are trying to help him understand that we are all his friends and we will all chat to him and give him treats and he doesn't have to rely solely on me. 

On another positive note today I have left Clark at home for the first time and gone out for about 40 minutes, he was left in the dining room with his bed and the baby gate closed so he could see the girls in the front room but was safe. I peeped in the window when I got back, I couldn't hear any barking or whining and there he was sleeping on his bed without a care in the world! He is developing so much confidence and is a fantastic boy! 

He loves his bed!

Now on to our celebrity friend, Waffle Bennett who has appeared on The One Show this evening!!  Our FB friends Sarah and Sally organised a sponsored ball find as Waffle has an amazing nose and finds balls regularly. Well, Waffle found 23 balls in a week and has raised more than £3200 for Terrier SOS. Without Terrier SOS Clark would be dead and without financial support Terrier SOS could not save these sweet terriers.  Waffle is an inspiration and we are very proud she is our friend!  If you would like to donate you can go to her 'Youcaring' page, every penny counts ......

http://www.youcaring.com/other/waffle-s-sponsored-borlee-hunt/196611/update/189424


Your support for Terrier SOS is invaluable and without our amazing supporters the abused, ill, old and unwanted terriers would not have a chance of life, and a good loving life at that, so thank you!!!! 

http://www.terriersos.com/rehoming_status/in-foster/