I realized something today. I was wrong about Mandy's destructiveness being mischevious puppy behavior. It's panic. Sheer fear. I spent a lot of time with her today, paying attention to what spooks her. Noises upstairs - any kind of thumping noise. It provokes a fast pacing, panting, sometimes defecating. The destruction at the door is her trying to get out. When I was sitting with her tonight, one of my heavy gsds started down the stairs after me. Mandy got so afraid she started jumping on the door to get out. I opened it and she climbed up in the chair I sit in outside and acted as if she would going over the fence. I think she could if she had to.
Now, I am worried that she'll somehow escape and not be spayed. So, I am making it my goal to hopefully get her on a leash and to the vet. I would like to do it this week because I am going out town to the beach on May 9-11th. Mike will be home and be the one responsible for feeding and cleaning up after her. It could be a disaster in the making. I may let the president of GSRCA take her while I am gone. I just don't know what is best for Mandy.
On a positive note, Mandy met Merci today. I decided to let Merci come on in the basement so Mandy could see what it was that was coming down the stairs. Everything was fine, just the usual sniffs.
I am feeling terribly sorry for Mandy tonight and the fear that she lives with. I can sit next to her in the puppy pen on the ground. Well, I sit down and she chooses to lay down across from me with about 2 feet between us. She gets up if I move but maybe we can make progress in this location like we did outside.
