This morning we had to take Oscar to the vet to get his nails trimmed. I stuffed a handful of kibble in my pocket because I wasn’t looking forward to handing him off to the tech. I suggested to her that I put him on the floor and she take the leash instead of reaching and taking him from me. She did and that was fine. She said he didn’t like any part of having his nails trimmed but he didn’t try to bite them. That was good.
Bless his heart . . he was so worked up that when we got in the car, he threw up. I feel so bad for him but we’re going to seriously work on his social skills.
We stopped by Atwoods on the way home. For those who aren’t familiar with Atwoods, it’s similar to Tractor Supply and I see dogs in there every now and then so I figured they were dog friendly. Poor little Oscar! He did not like any part of going in that store. The carts scared him half to death. I put him down and kept his leash tight but all he wanted to do was stay behind me. I think he thought no one could see him if he was behind me. When someone walked by with a cart, it was full panic mode. Once someone kinda banged a cart into something and he about came unglued. As we walked around the store, he became a bit more comfortable. Once we walked by a couple with two small children so I picked Oscar up because I didn’t want one of the little boys to reach out to pet him.
The only problem is that they hand out popcorn and there was a lot of popcorn dropped on the floor. Oscar became the clean up dog . . he was sniffing out the popcorn. I would pull him away from it if I saw it but, as you might guess, he’s faster than I am. I read that, while popcorn isn’t great for dogs, a few pieces now and then won’t hurt him. I’m guessing he’s going to remember that they put out yummy treats for him on the floor and he may not be so apprehensive about going in there next time.
When we checked out, I was standing over to the side and one of the girls working there walked over to him. He didn’t bark at her but he was trying to get as far from her as he could. I asked her if she was feeling brave and handed her a few pieces of kibble. She held her hand out flat to him and Oscar has a new BFF. He is very motivated by food. That runs in this family! 🙂
I gave her more food and he was all over her. She sat down on the floor and he was in her lap, trying to lick her in the face.
All he needs is more time around people, which is a big deal for us because I so rarely go anywhere and when I do, it’s Walmart or Aldi and I can’t take him in either of those places. Atwoods is good . . it’s close to our house so if we go in there once a week, and then go to Home Depot every now and then, that should help a lot.
I felt really good about his behavior today. I was expecting him to be snapping and barking at anyone who got close to him.
Cilla says
I’ve brought my pups into WalMart. Not in a few months but this year. It could be a store to store policy ? Happy to hear Oscar did well once there was food involved. I never leave home without kibble. Oh, tip #1……check all pockets before laundering. ICKY!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
In Missouri (and also in Texas) dogs aren’t supposed to be in grocery stores or places that serve food unless they’re support dogs and you have to have the paperwork with you if you’re asked to produce it.
Kibble has definitely gone through the washer. The other day it was chilly in the house and I had on a sweatshirt. I was tired and stretched out on the sofa. Oscar jumped up there and I thought “how sweet . . he wants to sleep with me” but then he stuck his head in the pocket and found the kibble. That’s what he wanted . . not snuggle time with me! 🙂
Nelle Coursey says
Once he gets socialized, he will be just fine. I bet he will want to go back there soon. We had a chow that cried every time we drove by the vets and didn’t stop! She loved going to see Dr. Gowdy! And leash training (for you and him) will help a lot.
montanaclarks says
Emmi is almost 13 years old. She has never been a really social dog and I blame that on a friend and on Mike’s son–they would scoop her up the minute they saw her without asking and it always scared her. She would struggle to get down and she even nipped Mike’s son. But as she has aged, she is most definitely NOT a social dog. We take her into Home Depot, etc. and I have to tell people, “she may look like a puppy and is so cute but in reality she is a crabby ole lady, don’t touch!” She will take a treat from other people but she doesn’t want them petting her.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Honestly, some of us humans are way less social than other folks. We don’t have to all be social. 🙂
Joyce says
I saw a video on FB yesterday that made me think of Oscar. It was of a dachshund holding a ring (think hula hoop). He had it in his mouth with the ring sticking out away from him, and he was trying to figure out how to get up some stairs with it. He couldn’t lift it high enough to clear the stairs. Suddenly he realized if he stood inside the ring and held it in his mouth he could run right up. It was so cute! I could just picture Oscar doing something like that.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
That sounds so cute. Aren’t they so funny. Oscar has one toy that he has to hold just right or he trips on it and it takes him a couple of tries each time before he remembers the routine.
Cindy Little says
I have taken my Izzy into JoAnn fabrics. They have a pet friendly sticker on the door….so I took it to heart! The first time was a quick in and out. The second time we stayed a bit longer and it was easier. We are still working on her social skills!
JustGail says
What about keeping a lawn chair in the car, and even if you can’t take him into a store, you could sit by the entrance with Oscar people watching. It might be an option if Vince wants to make a quick (by whose definition though?) run to a store. I’m sure you already know car rides for fun are a good thing so he doesn’t associate car = nail trims. Oscar that is, not Vince.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
You’ve never seen Vince in a store! I’d need to bring lunch and dinner and probably a pillow and blanket if Vince went into the store alone and didn’t have me saying “Can we go now?” 🙂
Carolyn says
He is such a handsome boy. That’s funny about the popcorn! I can picture my dogs doing that.
Suzette Harris says
He can go to hobby Lobby, JoAnns and Michael’s!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
We really have to check all stores because some have different pet policies. Some stores in malls are not pet friendly because of mall rules. Also, while I don’t mind taking him in Home Depot and Atwoods, as a shopper, I don’t really want to be shopping in some stores with other people’s pets so, for me, this is one of those “because you can doesn’t mean you should” occasions. Plus, most say “well behaved” pets are welcome and I don’t think Oscar is quite there yet. I could see him wiping out the bottom shelves of thread, floss and yarn! It’s much easier to walk through places like Home Depot and Atwoods with aan overly energetic dog. Some day, I hope he will fit in that “well behaved” category. 🙂