Comment

Comment by Sarah C. on July 24, 2008 at 10:41am

Thank you all for your responses! I have alot of stuff to try now. :) I really appreciate it.

Comment by Charlie on July 24, 2008 at 7:48am

Hi Sarah,

My grandmother lived with Alzheimer's the last 13 years of her life, so I know how hard it can be on the supporting family.

I think trying to train Didi to lie across your dad's lap is best, if your dad could get ok with that position. Corgis are too prone to slipped discs because of their long back and weight combination, so I know I wouldn't want Charlie to try to sit upright for too long. He will let me roll him on his back and he'll lie in the crook of my arm like a baby when I'm fully reclined in the office recliner. After several minutes though, he'd rather be sitting across my lap.

If your mom is open to the idea, getting a lighter weight "true" lapdog might be a good idea. The AKC Toy Group of dogs were mostly bred as companions and are happiest sitting in the owner's lap 24/7 and are generally under 10 pounds. That might be easier for the dog and for your father to hold onto anyway he chooses. An older rescue dog with a calm disposition might be a good match. Just a thought.

Comment by JollieEllie on July 24, 2008 at 2:25am

Hi Sarah, Both my corgis would sit (& being hugged) in the upright position (like a baby) with their backs leaning on your chest.
First, they didn't like this position at all as this is quite a vulnerable position for a dog. They would struggle to get back on their feet but both don't mind this position now and love being hugged and tummy scratched in this position for hours.
I think it's a trust and submission issue as well because Truffle would only just let me do this to her lately. Before she would only let my hubby (being the Leader in the pack) do this to her. Same with Bailey.
When they struggle to run off, hubby would hold tight and won't let go until they relaxed.(They would sometimes fall asleep like this on his chest). You do need to be stronger than them though when 'training' in this position.

Comment by Sarah C. on July 23, 2008 at 11:12pm

I haven't tried clicker training but I may now... Thanks for the advice. :)

Comment by Sylvia & Timmy on July 23, 2008 at 11:08pm

You're welcome. I think I understand the position now, she would be sitting up and leaning into his chest area. You're right this would be uncomforable for her. Timmy does a great sit up, but he's on a ground level solid surface when he does it. I can understand her hesitation. By the way, be thankful she's letting you know her stress. I'll bet that with Timmy's version of "huggies", it would be enough for your dad with some explaining about her long back, etc, etc. You can use some luring with a treat initially, then taper off on the treats and use praise more and more. Have you ever used a clicker in training? That would help too.

Comment by Sarah C. on July 23, 2008 at 10:56pm

Hmm, I think the positioning is wrong.
First I'll explain how my dad WANTS to put her. He kind of sits her up, like how a baby sits, which is not a natural position and I'm pretty it's hard for her to breath in. She's actually pretty patient about it and will sit there for a moment, but at the first chance she jumped down and walks off. Attempts to put her back in the position in met with laid back ears and a very concerned look. So far she hasn't nipped or growled.
Since my dad sits in a big lazy chair, the position I would like to try would be Didi laying across his lap. She does this with me on my big computer chair, and since dad's chair is bigger, I'm pretty sure that she wouldn't be afraid of falling. The main obstacle is convincing her that it's a safe place to sit, and my dad that she doesn't want to be in the other position and that this positions provides maximum petting opportunities. This hugging position sounds interesting though!

Thank you so much for your advice. I think I'll try practicing 'hugging' with her. That might be useful too!

Comment by Sylvia & Timmy on July 23, 2008 at 10:38pm

Timmy is a registered therapy dog with the Delta Society and some of the patients we visit have varying degrees of dementia. As a part of a "team", my responsibility before anything is the health and well being of the patient and Timmy. I constantly watch for signs of stress from him and if he gets stressed (hasn't so far), we will take a break or excuse ourselves. The reason I mention this is to let you know that you can work with dogs to have them enjoy hugs (read my blog post earlier today), but it will take time and a lot of patience. Every evening Timmy and I lay on the floor and I will hug him, touch him all over and work on "huggies". His version of huggies is laying accross my lap and putting his head on my chest. That's as close as we get. If you're talking of putting Didi sitting on your lap with her going upright onto his chest and shoulder, it might be difficult, because she will be worried about falling over or off his lap. I'm not sure I have the positioning right, but maybe with a simple hug like I described earlier it would fit his needs. If not you'll have to accept that it won't work. I don't feel it's worthwhile for her to feel uncomfortable or stressed unnecessarily. That could cause further problems.

I know it must be a difficult time for you, but know that many of us have elderly parents and will be coping with similiar issues in the not too distant future. (speaking for myself as well) I'm sending you courage and strength to deal with your father.

Please feel free to contact me again, if I can be of further help or perhaps correct me in my interpretation of the positioning.