KirbysPops
New member
We adopted Kirby when he was 1 from what had to have been a "mean" family to say the least. He was covered in Georgia clay like he had been outside his whole life and at the sight of food ate it so fast it was unbelievableā¦hence his name "Kirby" (like the vacuum..lol) He was very skittish and didnāt like to be around people, it seemed like his "house" was his only "safe place." For that matter we kept the house he loved just so he would feel more comfortable and brought him home to Florida. My girlfriend and I have had him now for 5 years and in July my baby is turning 6! I can't believe it...he is now tenfold different, he loves people and especially babies (on TV mostly). He has really impressed us with how much he was able to adapt and we now have his trust after much positive reinforcement.
Recently my girlfriend and I have graduated college and started full time jobs.
This has introduced us to a whole new attitude for Kirby. He loves going into his "house" and has never given us problems when its time to go "night night." Now that we aren't at the house during the days I have started to leave him out and "barricade" the kitchen so he can have room to walk around and stretch his legs as well as get a drink or eat. (If he has an accident it'll be on the tile and not in his house) I have my mom come by in the middle of the day to let him outside to play and go potty so we figured it wouldn't be a problem.
The past two days we've came home to a destroyed house of sorts...it seems like his only goal for the day is to break free and do everything he knows he shouldnāt. Yesterday, he got out and decided to "perch" himself on all of the pillows for the couch as well as the bed...leaving lovely remnants of you know what.
I would hate for him to be in his house all day, but Iām afraid he might hurt himself with all the madness he causes. I don't want to show him any negative reinforcement because I think he relates that to his life before us and I don't want that at all. Should I continue to leave him out and try some other sort of "barricade" or would it be best if he just stayed in his house until my Mom comes by?
Any personal feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
~Sorry for the lengthy post, I just wanted to be sure I gave a proper background on him.~
Recently my girlfriend and I have graduated college and started full time jobs.
This has introduced us to a whole new attitude for Kirby. He loves going into his "house" and has never given us problems when its time to go "night night." Now that we aren't at the house during the days I have started to leave him out and "barricade" the kitchen so he can have room to walk around and stretch his legs as well as get a drink or eat. (If he has an accident it'll be on the tile and not in his house) I have my mom come by in the middle of the day to let him outside to play and go potty so we figured it wouldn't be a problem.
The past two days we've came home to a destroyed house of sorts...it seems like his only goal for the day is to break free and do everything he knows he shouldnāt. Yesterday, he got out and decided to "perch" himself on all of the pillows for the couch as well as the bed...leaving lovely remnants of you know what.
I would hate for him to be in his house all day, but Iām afraid he might hurt himself with all the madness he causes. I don't want to show him any negative reinforcement because I think he relates that to his life before us and I don't want that at all. Should I continue to leave him out and try some other sort of "barricade" or would it be best if he just stayed in his house until my Mom comes by?
Any personal feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
~Sorry for the lengthy post, I just wanted to be sure I gave a proper background on him.~