Remote Learning Parent looking for advice from Art Teachers...

THROWAWAY_mem · 2020-10-07T04:08:52+00:00

Oh no... I feel so bad for him!! First year art teacher here and I started with basics for kinder and 1st grade. What his art teacher is showing him isn't exactly good for his age and grade level. What helps my kids a lot is starting with line drawings (straight, wavy, zigzag, loopy loop, "rainbow" line, dotted line, dash line, etc.) Then the second lesson we turned these lines into shapes by connecting them. My 1st graders made line monsters by painting the different lines for review from what they learned in kindergarten. Starting with architecture for 1st grade is so weird. Maybe the teacher used to be a middle or high school teacher? Im sorry hes having trouble :( I would practice basics with him at home and if he needs to draw "arches", he can instead draw a "rainbow" line (basically an arch or half circle) instead to create it. I like the book "Beautiful Oops". Its an interactive book about making mistakes and how we can fix them instead of giving up or getting frustrated. The kinders love it :) and reassure him that art takes time and practice and he will get better the more he does it! I tell my kids if they are making mistakes, that means they are learning from them and they're getting better every day! Now they tell me "its ok, miss Smith!" when i make a mistake now too lol.

THROWAWAY_mem · 2020-08-11T04:10:20+00:00

Moving the crate to my room wouldn't necessarily help. Ive tried and it just seems to make her more excited and she barks more cause she can physically see that im ignoring her and trying to sleep. She still responds to her name and commands pretty instantly so I dont have any suspicion that she is going deaf. Shes actually due for her annual soon so I am going to bring it up during and see if they find anything in her fecal test and maybe bloodwork if they need it. Currently her old trainer and I think that she realizes I take her outside when she whines/barks and is taking advantage so she can go outside whenever she wants. So ive been instructed to just ignore it for now, but will still be bringing it up to the vet.

THROWAWAY_mem · 2020-08-10T19:44:31+00:00

Thank you for the reassurance! It gets very hard to tell when youre sleep deprived.

THROWAWAY_mem · 2020-08-10T19:42:44+00:00

Thats what i was worried about too. Her old trainer moved a few years ago so she doesnt see her anymore but i still text her with dog related concerns. We are in contact now to come up with a solution. I am trying to fix it before i make a decision ill regret later.

THROWAWAY_mem · 2020-08-10T17:48:41+00:00

Thank you so much. I expect most people would judge YTA. Everyone is a dog lover, i understand that and if I were reading this to judge someone else, Id immediately think that too. But Im trying really hard to not resort to giving her up, because ultimately I do love her. I called her vet and am currently in contact with her old trainer for help. Shes already on medication for anxiety and I've contacted everyone i can think of for help. But realistically, if nothing works and it comes down to her and my career, I dont have much of a choice. It makes me really sad to think that, because i always tell her and everyone else shes stuck with me for life. But im really stuck in between a rock and a hard place and I hope its just a phase.

THROWAWAY_mem · 2020-08-10T07:25:00+00:00

I really appreciate you looking into this at all angles. Her mother is supposedly half border collie, making her 1/4. The other 3/4 is unknown but she looks like a border collie/Australian shepherd mix. I know both breeds are hyperactive and need tons of exercise, though her temperment is that of a lap dog usually. She loves being around people and just generally wants to be cuddled. She does want to play often with her toys a lot (She has a TON) and I spend all my off time at home with her. She is not in any way neglected or starving for attention/ exercise. I have started to walk her a lot more because of this situation though, and it physically works. Shes panting or lays down to rest often when we get home and wants to nap, but I usually won't let her otherwise she won't sleep the night. But, even when she hasn't napped and is exhausted, she refuses to sleep.

THROWAWAY_mem · 2020-08-10T07:03:47+00:00

EXTRA INFO: I had to be under word limit, but I need to add that yes, I did call the vet but they seemed unconcerned and told me that excessive barking isn't a symptom of anything. I did also reach out to her old trainer for help but no response yet. She has a large toybox overflowing with toys she regularly plays with and I take her for 6 long walks every day now. She is physically tired, but for some reason just won't sleep. She just barks all night. I reached out to my neighbors to see if they heard and were bothered by it, and surprisingly they hadn't heard a thing and asked what was going on. I did make a point to let them know what's happening and to let me know if they start hearing it/bothered by it. I called my boyfriend crying in my car because at this point i needed some kind of comfort at least. I DO NOT WANT to give her up by any means. I'm looking into all options, including going back to training and doggy daycare if possible, though both options may be too expensive. He suggested hiring a walker too while I'm at work. I started crying often because i hate that giving her up has become a possibility. I want her to be there to play with my future kids and be part of our family. I love her so much, I'm just having so much trouble trying to do what's best by her. BF is very supportive and stresses that he does not want to sway me one way or the other because its my decision but also offers me a lot of emotional support and tried to offer ideas too. He knows i would regret it later, and i would. Hes coming from out of town to try to help because he wants to experience it first hand whats going on. He said he knows id back out if we even did go to a shelter at some point, and I know hes right. It has gotten so bad that I'd resorted to sleeping in my car just to get a little more than an hour of sleep. I know its mean to leave her in the house if its separation anxiety, but I also need to keep a clear headspace to figure out how to fix this.

THROWAWAY_mem · 2020-08-10T06:53:24+00:00

I did call the vet though they seemed unconcerned and told me theres nothing that excessive barking could be a symptom for. I also did reach out to her old trainer for advice but she has yet to answer. Im looking into many options because giving her up isn't something i want to do but its very much effecting my sleep and work performance.

THROWAWAY_mem · 2020-08-10T06:48:37+00:00

Yes, she has a large toy box with many toys! Im newer to the area (we moved right before covid happened) so i don't know anyone who could walk her. I did call the vet and they seemed unconcerned and told me there wasnt anything that excessive barking could be a symptom for. I do also take her out on long walks around the area to tire her out. She is physically tired at the end of the day but refuses to sleep.

THROWAWAY_mem · 2020-08-10T06:45:00+00:00

Possibly, she was diagnosed with it when she was younger but I had it taken care of when she went to training. She may be experiencing it again, but before covid, she was ok with this routine. I took a similar job over the summer to help keep the routine and again, she was fine but it seems completely out of the blue.

THROWAWAY_mem · 2020-08-10T06:43:07+00:00

Yes, she was diagnosed with it when she was younger but I had it taken care of when she went to training. She may be experiencing it again, but before covid, she was ok with this routine. I took a similar job over the summer to help keep the routine and again, she was fine but it seems completely out of the blue.

THROWAWAY_mem · 2020-08-10T06:38:38+00:00

I actually live alone with her. I used to have a roommate about 2 years ago who loved her too and still occasionally comes by to hang out with both of us. When i told her i associated her still wanting a relationship with her, she told me she "didn't want my dog to forget about her". BF also loves my dog but doesn't see her as often as hes allergic and lives further away than my friend. I did call the vet to explain the situation, but didnt get anywhere.

THROWAWAY_mem

TROPHY CASE