Lola's first week is really about integrating her in to my pack. They will help me understand Lola much better, and faster than I ever could on my own. It's crucial that Lola's experiences and environments are visited with a balanced group of dogs-- they feed the right energy. 

Because many of the members were once unbalanced themselves (as individuals and in a pack), they will guide Lola in the right direction (from a dog point-of-view). The goal is to keep her in a follower state-of-mind, which in turn allows her to be present with a more calm energy. 

While this is happening, I remain the Leader-- the one actually "running the show". I provide the structure and outlets the gang needs to fulfil themselves. These factors combined, allow both the physical and psychological sides of Lola to recover very quickly. In some cases, instantly.  

By spending 24/7 with Lola and my girls (Baby + Bunny), I am able to constantly work with her in our home, and in our daily lives.

Setting rules, boundaries and limitations are also very important in this case. Although unintentional, Lola has been placed in a dominant role her whole life. This is not uncommon, as Chihuahua's can sometimes have the reputation of being "tiny terrors". 

I'm happy to report, however, that Lola's stay up until now is a success!

Here are some highlights of her week: 

Getting to know The Pack + Bonding

In the following video, you'll notice how calm the energy is within the group-- not what you would typically see in most off-leash dog parks. 

Staying Active

I've mentioned many times, how important the pack is and the role they play in recovering balance. Because Lola's health issues really didn't allow much exercise, she accumulated a lot of pent up energy. With no outlet to drain this energy, many dogs choose to find their own release. This often results in unwanted behaviours, such as repetitive barking and reactions to common sounds.

Water activities are one of my favourites with dogs, especially with rehab cases. Lola did come to us carrying a little extra weight, understandably, so I knew this would be a great outlet for her (and probably her first swim ever). Again, having The Pack there, and sharing the right energy, provides Lola with enormous support.

Even though the rain interrupted our swim, it gave us an opportunity to spend some intimate time under the awning, while exposed to the elements.

Next week we will have some more activities planned for Lola, where we will continue to challenge her and work on her recovery. Her owners will also join us, so I can bring them up to speed and they can prepare for her return home-- It will be important for them to maintain Lola's balance.