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Gille ......... (He's the big guy in this picture!)
Gille's Story
Gille is a typical Scotty. And he has an all too often repeated story. He was allowed to become the boss in his home. Now I realize that all of our scotties run the various households they live in. But in Gille's case, his Mam felt sorry for him because he had come from a very unhappy home. So she didn't correct him when he did little things he should not have done. Soon those little things became big things. Then she found herself in the position of not being able to control Gille. One night Gille bite a friend of his Mam's, and she realized that she could not allow him to go on like he was. She also realized that he needed a much stronger person then she was, if he was to correct his bad habits before he got into more serious trouble.
So his Mam contacted a friend named GG. Now GG belongs to Angelscots Scottish Terrier List, so she brought Gille's problem to the List. The list members decided that since area rescue could not take Gille because he had bitten someone, and since they could not chance him going to a new home knowing he had a problem, they would send him to a trainer in hopes of giving him a second chance. The Angelscot List started raising money to help pay for Gille's retraining.
You see, the only other recourse was to have Gille put down. So the call went out to different people. Many responded, some trainers were too far away, some cost much more money then was being raised. But then a Trainer named Lynn McCain of Tolyn Kennels came forward. She was close enough, not far from Ann Arbor MI. Her price was very affordable, and she was an experienced rescue person who worked with troubled dogs. In other words she was an answer to a prayer.
So on Sunday October 21, 2001 Gille along with his Mam, his Guardian Angel GG and another lady who hopes to become Gille's new Mam made the journey to Lynn McCain and Tolyn Kennels. Here Gille has started his retraining and we hope what will be his second chance at a new life. He is not out of the woods yet. So please keep you Fur Angels and prayers coming his way.
We will be posting updates on Gille as we receive them from Lynn. Please check back often to see how he is progressing.
Mickey Tickner Angelscots List Owner
Gille and his Guardian Angel GG!
Gille's Journal
I guess we will call this section Gille's Journal. In it we hope to follow his progress towards a new beginning......a new life. Please join us often to read about Gille.
Subj:Re: Gillie
Date:10/22/2001 12:49:43 PM Central Daylight Time
From:Tolyn kenl
To:Mickeytick
Gille and I had a nice day together yesterday. He now knows the word "settle" and does it on command. No attempted biting, so far. He did let me know quite certainly that he did not want to go into the crate, but he "changed his mind". It is very clear from the way he is reacting that he is used to being "stubborn" and then getting his way. The closest we had to him showing any signs of aggression was the warning posture of ears back, tail straight out, head down, eyes slightly squinted...he soon realized that he still had to go into the crate anyway! You should have seen the surprise on his face when I didn't back down and I just said "You knock it off!" then shoved his little butt into the crate. I almost laughed at him.
Actually, "little" butt may not be quite accurate. He could use a bit of a weight loss program. I know Scotties are low and thick....but.... :-) We are going to have fun together.
Lynn McCain
USLTC Rescue
Tolyn Kennels
www.tolynkennel.homestead.com
Oct 22 2001
Gille felt a bit more comfortable today, so he felt more comfortable trying to say "NO". "NO, I DON'T want to sit before coming in the door. NO, I DON'T want to settle. NO, I DON'T want to go in my crate. This is normal. He is testing the limits to see what the rules are. The rules have all changed. He isn't sure what the new rules are - all the old rules don't work anymore. He is a bit confused. However, he is learning that NO, I DON'T doesn't fly here. Instead it is, Yes, you will sit before going in the door. No, you won't go in until you sit. Yes, you will settle. No - chewing the lead doesn't help. Yes, you will go in your crate when told. No, putting on the brakes doesn't work... He will continue to push and to test to see where all the limits are. Then, in typical terrier fashion, he will re-test all the limits to be sure they are still there...then he will try it from a different angle...if at first you don't succeed...become a terrier!
Lynn McCain
Oct 29 2001
Hi Mickey
I took Gille with me this weekend on a trip to Illinois and Wisconsin. We put on about 1200 miles! Gille was a real trooper. Our first destination was a friend's place to drop off my bitch in heat to be bred. While there, Gille had the opportunity to learn to leave the kittens alone and to be good when a bunch of other dogs were around. We also put him on the grooming table and fixed his face a bit! The groomer gave him a Westie face...we gave him a Scottie face. He was perfectly well behaved on the table. No aggression whatsoever. He stood there and let us clip his face and brush him out. I waited to do this with him until I was with another experienced trainer as I heard horror stories about how he behaved on a grooming table. Having a second set of experienced hands can be very helpful! He was so good - I didn't even need the 2nd pair of hands! The next day, we headed to Wisconsin to visit my parents and my grandparents. Gille stayed at my parents' home when I went to the hospital to visit my grandma. Gille was very appropriate at mom and dad's home. Mom and Dad petted him and he was very good. He was a happy little boy! We got back from the trip yesterday afternoon. He was a bit grouchy again with my daughter and husband, but settled down quickly. He seems to have a bit of an ear infection. I washed his ears with an ear cleaner and the one ear had a lot of junk in it. If he is still shaking his head tonight, I'll use some ear antibiotics that I have. Gille is getting quite attached to me. He is very excited to see me and doesn't like it when I leave him. I am being careful to be sure and leave him to avoid developing separation anxiety issues. With all the changes in his life, I'm sure he is needing the security of being with someone he can trust. His settle is really becoming good. Yesterday we ran around and played in the yard and he was getting a bit over excited. I told him to settle and he turned it right off and settled. He is learning what "mine" means. He is allowing me to take his toys away from him and he is learning to wait for me to give him a toy rather than grabbing it from me. He still needs some work on this. All-in-all, he is a sweet boy that needs to develop confidence and trust. A lot of his grouchiness seems to be a fear-related problem. He is perfectly fine with people as long as I am right next to him. If he is on his own, he is nervous and shows his aggressive side. As his trust and confidence increases, this will decrease.
Lynn McCain
11/01/01
Gille is being a good boy for me. He is coming along in his training quite well. Soon, I will start working with him with my daughter doing some of the handling with me on a 2nd line to back her up as needed. My daughter is the lowest on the totem pole at my house, being the youngest. Her higher pitched voice makes her less authoritative as well. Gille needs to learn that he must work for even the lowest-ranked human - that he must submit to all humans and not challenge them. Currently, he is still growling a bit at her - but not nearly like he was. Mostly, he is doing very soft warning growls - so I won't hear him! Ha! Fooled him!!! This is another reason I want her to start working him soon. He needs to get over this idea that it is ok to growl at people. Don't worry about my daughter. She will be perfectly safe! She won't be anywhere near him if she has to give any corrections. That's the beauty of using double lines with the handler on a long line. Once Gille works dependably for my other family members, I can begin giving him a bit more freedom in the house. Right now he still is either tied to the post in the living room, or on a lead that I am holding. Until he stops all his growling at family members, he hasn't earned his freedom. He is working great for me and shows absolutely no aggression toward me any more. I can groom him, play with him, take toys from him, work him...he is a great dog.
Lynn McCain
November 14th, 2001
Gille is doing well. He does still try to challenge every once in a while, but he has stopped seriously challenging me. When I am home, he works well for my kids and my husband now. He is able to interact with all 4 of my dogs without any major problems. If any of them look like they are going to start something, I just tell them to knock it off and settle and everyone settles down and is just fine. When I am not home, he does still challenge my family members from time to time. He is not sold on the fact that they are to be obeyed in my absence, but is learning! Yesterday was his best day with them in my absence. He is very guardy and doesn't like visitors, however, I can tell him to settle and he settles right down when visitors come. Once they are in the house and he has settled, he is just fine with them. He has been well behaved on the grooming table with the exception of working with his front feet. He doesn't like his front feet touched/worked with. We are still working on that! He comes when he is called and does remote sits very well. His wait is very solid. I can be walking with him, tell him to wait and keep walking and he stops dead and waits for me. I can tell him to wait, leave the room - go do my hair, whatever, come back and he is still waiting there for me. He stops and waits before going out doors - even if he has to potty really bad! I can get him all excited playing tug-of-war and when he is really excited, tell him settle and he stops immediately and settles. He is taking treats nicely when told "easy", but he will still try to take them by force if I don't tell him "easy". He is now eating the same food as my guys are with the supplements I use for my show dogs for beautiful coats. His coat is getting nice and glossy. He seems to be very happy and is a friendly guy once he knows you. He has fit into the family and our routine very well now - being totally appropriate most of the time and he quickly corrects his behavior on command if he starts to act inappropriately (with the exception of his front feet on the grooming table). I have a prospective adopter coming to work him on Saturday. I'll see how she handles him and how well she follows through on training guidance. If she cannot/will not follow through, I'll find someone else for him. I am going to require the prospective adopter to come at least three weeks to work with him so that Gille becomes accustomed to accepting the authority of that person before ever being adopted out.
I'll try to get some pictures taken this weekend to send to you.
Lynn McCain
NOVEMBER 19TH 2001
I just thought I would update you on how things went on Saturday with Gille and Donna. Donna came out and I had one of my puppy buyers bring their 10 mo. old Airedale pup (who needed a brush up) out as well. This gave me an opportunity to see Donna work with Gille, how Gille would react to a stranger and how he would react to a strange, rambunctious dog. I was very pleased with how he behaved. He was happy and playful, yet obedient. He walked along fine on a loose lead, he did wait on command, settle on command, sit, down, come. We played tug of war and he tugged and played enthusiastically. I told him to settle and he stopped tugging. I told him mine and he let go of the rope. I could put the rope down and tell him mine and he could leave it alone...not that he wanted to, but he did. He worked well for Donna too. She followed through on what I told her to do. She had proper authority in her voice when giving commands. Gille had to walk with me as we met the stranger and her dog. He settled fine next to me when we greeted - even though the puppy was pulling trying to get to him. I told you that pup needed a brush up! Ugh!!! Anyway...he even let me be silly and hug the stranger without getting upset. A lot of dogs don't like you doing this...they think you are getting mugged or something. Whenever Gille got too excited in his play or began playing with the lead instead of walking nicely, Donna would say either settle or easy - depending on the situation and Gille would behave for her. Gille still likes to grab treats instead of taking them nicely - however, if told easy before the treat is offered, he will take it very gently. Gille didn't show any aggression - he even got silly and got caught up between Donna's legs one time. He didn't like that and squirmed to get free, but made no aggressive moves or responses. He was a happy, playful boy whose tail never stopped. I just LOVE this dog!!! He is a great little guy!!! Anyway, Donna is coming back later this week. We arranged for Sunday, but I'm going to try to move it to Friday as my Friday plans are no more. If you would like to come as well, you would be very welcome. I think it would be good for you to see how he is doing. Gille is almost ready to go to a new home. I just need more time with Donna and her husband - they both need to be comfortable working with Gille and knowing how to respond to him. Donna did say that Gille didn't seem like the same dog at all - he's not! ;-)
Lynn McCain
USLTC Rescue
Tolyn Kennels
www.tolynkennel.homestead.com
12/12/01
One of the challenges I have had with Gille's training is getting him to accept his front nails being cut. He didn't like anyone touching his front feet. Last night I put him up on the grooming table again (a very regular occurrance here) and decided we ARE going to do those nails! When getting a dog used to being groomed to the point that the dog actually enjoys it, I always groom using the sandwich rule - fun stuff first, then the stuff he doesn't like, ended with fun stuff. So, we had our hugs and pats and rubs first. He loves to stand on his back legs and give me a hug when he is on the table. He gets his belly scratched and his ears rubbed. Then we do some light brushing with lots of happy talk. His tail wags through this process. Then for the "yuck!" stuff. I picked up his front foot, cut the nails - did the second foot. Not one complaint! No growling, no pulling away, nothing! He was as good as gold! I then did more brushing, some trimming of his furnishings with a scissors, ended by more hugs and kisses. This is the first time there has been absolutely no resistance to getting his nails done. His back nails will be done next time. He did get a bit grumbly with me later, though. I put him outside by himself in the kennel run. I left him out a little longer than he wanted to be out (I got busy - it was less than an hour). When he came inside, he walked past me and grumbled under his breath. He went to his snuggle blanket in the living room and snuggled into it. He laid there for just a couple minutes, then came over to my chair, sat next to it and grumbled/growled at me! His body language made it clear that he was not threatening me in any way - he was just expressing his opinion very clearly! I told him to knock it off - he did. I petted him for a couple minutes and then he walked back to his blanket, grumbling under his breath like a disgruntled kid. My husband, who doesn't really understand dogs very well, thought Gille was being "mean". He wasn't being mean at all - he wouldn't even look my direction when he grumbled and maintained a submissive posture the whole time - so I wouldn't misunderstand! He was just letting me know in no uncertain terms that he did NOT appreciate being outside alone like that. Scotties are definately an opinionated breed, aren't they? They are so funny!
Lynn McCain
Tolyn Kennels
www.tolynkennel.homestead.com
12/14/01
Hi Mickey
I was talking with a friend of mine who is an exceptional trainer (she is my mentor). She does a lot of rescue rehabilitation and has a beautiful facility where she can work with multiple dogs at a time (I only take in one at a time). In fact, she is the inventor of the Q-collar that I have been using with Gille. She is a terrier person through and through and has worked with a large number of Scotties. Anyway, she told me she has 3 or 4 VERY good homes that would be good candidates for Gille. These are people who already are affiliated with her training center and are familiar with the training methods, commands, etc. that I have been using with Gille. She suggested that I bring Gille to her and let her work with these candidates and get Gille into a new home soon. She would be able to do follow up work with them as well. However, if we did this, she would keep the adoption fee. She would assume all responsibility for his follow up care and any future training issues that may arise. This would solve the issue of Christmas vacation as well as provide Gille with an excellent group of candidates for a new home. However, it would not give AngelScots any additional funds for other dogs. Lynn McCain
Tolyn Kennels
www.tolynkennel.homestead.com
12/19/01
Gille is going to meet the trainer and possibly one of the potential adopters this weekend. We are trying to coordinate schedules. I think this is a good situation for Gille and for AngelScots. It will end the financial liability for you - Gille is ready for a new home. There is no reason for you to have to keep paying to have him with me while we wait for an adopter. The trainer, Pat, will provide him with excellent care, continue his training while he is there, make sure he is all groomed up pretty when he goes to his new home, find an excellent family for him and provide the family with follow-up assistance. She does a lot of rescue and has several rescue dogs now. I'll bring my video camera with me this weekend so you can see where Gille will be until he goes to his forever home - which should be very soon. This transition time will be really good for him, too. He will learn that he has to behave there too, not just with me. It will reinforce the training and the concept that ALL people are to be respected and not just some. He worked with Donna and learned he had to work for her. He has worked for each of my family members. He will now have to work for Pat and Tracy and whoever else they have work him - they usually have the rescue dogs worked by several people. It will be very clear to him that he has to obey and behave for anyone who is in charge of him at that time.
Lynn McCain
Tolyn Kennels
www.tolynkennel.homestead.com
12/22/01
Well
Gille is no longer with me. I took him to Illinois this weekend and had a great time there with him! He and Sheenah ran in the dog park, investigated the "wild" areas, drank pond water - Sheenah waded in, but Gille had a bit more sense...it was COLD! Gille never gets up into a run...he just walked or trotted along. Sheenah ran about and was excited to show him all the "special" spots. Sheenah's been there a few times before. I videotaped him in the dog park - mostly I got tall grasses with a bit of tail sticking out here and a head poking out there...I'll edit the tape and send it to someone (who?). I don't think you want the dizzying moments as I am futily attempting to find the dog lost in the tall grasses... After running in the park, Gille had a nap, then we brought him to the training building to show you what he has learned. Pat videotaped while I demonstrated. Then a woman who stopped by in the afternoon worked Gille briefly. He was a good boy! Pat and I discussed the course of action for Gille. She is going to keep him there for a bit and have lots of people work him. He still gets nervous if I'm not around - so we need to build the confidence that lots of people are "OK", not just me. He can trust other people too. He works great for people he know and trusts - he behaves beautifully. But he is wary of strangers. Let me know to whom I should send the videotape. If someone has a way of putting video on-line, I think it would be a neat thing for the list to see...
Lynn McCain
Tolyn Kennels
www.tolynkennel.homestead.com
