UPDATE 02/01/06: Wow - what a long winter! Between icky cold and snowy New England weather, and Sienna getting spayed at the end of December - we have not yet been able to really get her out into the world. Now that the weather is better we try for 2-3 trips a week out to PetCo, PetsMart or even the local parks in the area.
Sienna came to us as a foster at the beginning of November, in heat...and stressed. She paced for two full weeks when she was not crated - a behavior that many dogs exhibit when stressed, and we had been told by her owner that she paced in their home as well. She still paces on occassion, but settles when everyone else does, often heading to her crate for her own 'down time'.
Sienna is here because of some 'bad habits' - she ate cat poop, pulled on leash, and stole food off of counters. VERY workable behavior issues that her owner didn't do anything about - so here she is. She will still steal food if given the chance - so we don't give her the chance - why set her up for failure - and a possible trip to the vet for an abdominal obstruction if she got something non-digestable?!?! She investigates the litter box as well, and will try for 'kitty crunchies' if we forget to close the door - but again, that is our fault - not hers - she is doing what she was allowed to do - just because they are bad habits does not mean she knows she should not do it!
As for her leash manners - they are much improved as she has started basic obedience training - which has helped with socialization as well as learning how to be well behaved dog. Sienna is almost 3 years old (3/15/03 is her birthday). She is about 80 pounds, lean and fit, up to date on her vaccinations, HW negative and on prevention, tattooed, crate trained and housebroken.
Sienna's perfect home would include a canine playmate as she loves to play with other dogs. A securely fenced in yard is preferred as Sienna was allowed to run free, and still, on occassion, will look for an escape route when in the yard to go see what she can see on the other side of the fence. Sienna currently has four dogs here to play with - two male rotties, an older lab mix who gives her an earful once in a while, and Scout - her sister in rescue - THEY are the ones who can play for hours if we let them!
Sienna is loving, affectionate, playful, rides well in the car, and can lives with just about anything - male or female dogs (all of which must obviously be properly and safely introduced), cats, and kids over 10. Although she has met several children under 10 years old, she was also allowed to chase and nip at kids which is not a good behavior for any dog. She will also jump on the little ones, and more often than not, knocking them over. So, while we work on getting her used to being around all sizes and ages of people, kids over 10 years old are best for Sienna.
Sienna is a somewhat active girl - a long walk as well as a good romp in the yard will go a long way to helping her keep her trim girlish figure (now recently even more svelte after her spay!). She might be a great running partner - but a marked improvment in her leash manners will definitely be needed first as she likes to cut us off when out for a walk!
Sienna is currently in foster are in CT, making great strides in her 'readiness' towards adoption, but we are not 100% certain when she will be ready - check back for updates and new pictures!
If you are interested in adopting Sienna you must
visit our website and fill out an adoption application.
