Hera's Story

[Baymule]

Hera does not do well with people. I sure wouldn’t be taking her out of cage for a potty break. At all. She is going to be super stressed, in the back of a truck and scared to death. You will get her out, do you really think you can get her back in? That will stress her even more. My advice, load her up and make a bee line for home. Potty breaks for people.

Can you put a piece of plywood in front of cage , wired to cage, to block wind?

Large dog crate, I doubt she will fit.

Be prepared to spend hour or two with her in barn. It might be a good idea to put her in cage in her part of the barn overnight just so fear doesn’t get the best of her, so that she tries to go home.

I’m excited for you, family, sheep, most of all, Hera.

 

[Margali]

Husband is sick so we can't drive today. Next weekend we would have no sitters so 2 weeks till we can get Hera.

 

[Margali]

Large dog crate, I doubt she will fit.

Be prepared to spend hour or two with her in barn. It might be a good idea to put her in cage in her part of the barn overnight just so fear doesn’t get the best of her, so that she tries to go home.

Good point about the potty break issue. The dog crates are Retriever wire crates M(22"x24"x36") and L(30"x30"x42"). Bruno is 90lbs now and he fits in the smaller one with divider in... The XL isn't that much taller (32"vs 30") and I would have to buy one for $99.

The dog room in the shed is 5ft tall 4"x4" panel. I will leave her in travel crate overnight before feeding her in morning and letting her out.

 

[Mini Horses]

Crap. Sorry DH is sick but, all the prep and now a no go. . How disappointing. It'll happen eventually.

Hey...now you have more "fence time".

Yeah fence is a bitch -- everyday I battle it. But I've been here 23 yrs, so it's time. Like a roof--it wears out.

 

[Baymule]

You won’t be able to lift travel crate with her in it.

So sorry your husband is sick! It will all come together. Patience grasshopper.

 

[Baymule]

@Mini Horses only 23 years? Hmmmmm. I’m putting up new fence, I’m 68, will likely live up to 100, hopefully still on my feet doing crazy stuff. That’s 32 years. I guess I’d better start saving now for that 25 year mark, to hire somebody else to replace fence! I’ll be 93 and might not be excited about replacing fence!

 

[Margali]

Patience grasshopper.

When have I ever exhibited patience?

 

[Baymule]

When have I ever exhibited patience?

Always a first time!

 

[Ridgetop]

Hera does not do well with people.

I suggest you allow several hours to spend with the dog while the owner is there. Get her used to you when you pick her up. Have her owner help you load her in the car and go in the car with you on a couple drives. Drive around the block a couple times, stop and get her out on a lead, walk her around a bit, then load her again. If you do this with the owner, it will show Hera that it is ok. I don't know this dog, but a 7-year-old Anatolian may decide she doesn't want you shoving her into a crate in the bed of a pickup. And if you load her into a crate on the ground you are going to have to pick it up and load it in the bed of the truck. You don't want her deciding that you are stealing her. If you still want to try putting her in a crate for the trip, you might consider buying a fabric muzzle to use while doing so.

I don't think either of those crates sizes will fit a large Anatolian. How much does Hera weigh? My smallest Anatolian bitch weighs 110 lbs. and won't fit into a #400 crate designed for an 70-90 lb. dog. Do you have a car with back seat where the dog can ride? If Hera has not been crate trained, you will never get her inside one that is slightly cramped, and possibly not inside a larger one either. She will see it as being trapped. Riding in a crate for the first time, especially in the open back of a pickup will be very stressful. The less stress the better the dog will adapt.

You might consider making a bed for her in the back of the car instead and letting her ride inside the car instead of in a crate. You can talk to her during the journey and feed her hot dogs. She ill learn your voice as you and your DH talk to each other on the trip. Definitely a yes on the collar and leash, but no need to unload her since she will not pee or poo on the journey to your place anyway. Adult Anatolians will "shut down" when removed from their territory. She might not drink or eat anything either. Being with you inside the car will allow her to bond with you calmly as you travel.

Also, when stopping for gas and potty breaks, only one of you should go in at a time. The other should remain in the car with the dog. You don't know this dog other than a few meetings at her farm. Remember too that when you came to her farm you took away some of her pack members (sheep). She may remember that. I always like to err on the side of caution when dealing with large powerful animals with sharp teeth. LOL

 

[Finnie]

That’s a good point about one of you staying in the car with her. What if you both went in the restaurant and then she doesn’t let you back in the car?