I haven't posted lately, but I have some more pictures and post ideas. Here's a preview of what's to come:
1. What is and isn't positive dog training.
2. Breaking up with your trainer
3. Board games for dogs.
4. Canine physical therapy.
5. Reactive dogs.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Ioda kickin' it up.
Friday night Tim and I decided to take Ioda to the Magnuson dog park. Ioda had a good time, ran around, swam a little, got really wet, and almost sort-of tried to play with another dog. He had an even better time when we got home. He was still very excited from the park, so we were playing with him and Helper in the back yard. We were playing one of Ioda's favorite games, chase (he chases us, so it's great exercise for everyone), when he also decided that he should chase Helper too. He blocked her, gave a huge play bow and bounded two steps in her direction, let out a 'woof!' and gave another play bow. To those of you who know Ioda, he doesn't often play with other dogs, so Tim and I were really excited. Helper however had no idea what was going on and ran off scared to hide behind Tim and I. Ioda just looked up at us like, 'I'm trying here!' and that was the end of that. It was a small start, but hopefully there's more to come.
Today Helper has been worked with a lot. I took her to the advanced agility class to just sit in the back and practice being calm. I think we were inside the building for almost 5 of the 45 minutes we were there. That being said, she's getting calmer at walking on leash around other dogs, and as we weren't participating in the class, I just took her outside every time she became stressed and barky or just over excited in general. Several hours later we played our first round of 'Crate games' making it through the first three stages in no time. She picked up on 'your in your out' quickly and really liked that game. The first two stages she was squirmy, but the treats (chopped up hot dog) were good enough for her to sit still in the back of the crate. I need to find something she likes as much as hot dog that is less gross/slimey.
Today Helper has been worked with a lot. I took her to the advanced agility class to just sit in the back and practice being calm. I think we were inside the building for almost 5 of the 45 minutes we were there. That being said, she's getting calmer at walking on leash around other dogs, and as we weren't participating in the class, I just took her outside every time she became stressed and barky or just over excited in general. Several hours later we played our first round of 'Crate games' making it through the first three stages in no time. She picked up on 'your in your out' quickly and really liked that game. The first two stages she was squirmy, but the treats (chopped up hot dog) were good enough for her to sit still in the back of the crate. I need to find something she likes as much as hot dog that is less gross/slimey.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Week 4
We've had Helper almost four weeks. She's a much calmer and more confident dog now, not to say that she's calm . . . but her good behavior has earned her some more freedom and she now spends her days under my desk with Ioda while I work. Each day they seem to enjoy each other a bit more. Helper has quit snapping near Ioda's head and has learned to back off when treats are handed out. She's learned that if I'm giving Ioda a treat and she behaves too, she'll get one as well.
For Helper the biggest distraction is still other dogs. However, due some wonderful advice in the book Control Unleashed, she's made some big progress. We now play the 'look at that' game with other dogs, people, traffic, anything that she wants. It really does allow her to calm down. We've also learned that if we give her enough squeeze cheese to gum up her mouth before she starts barking, she can't bark at the other dogs at obedience class . . . which means we can give her more squeeze cheese for not barking, and pretty soon we can play the 'look at that game'. Last night at class, she was even focused enough to participate in some of the exercises. The instructor also mentioned that we could stop by and practice attention and calm behaviors at two of the calmer, upper-level agility classes she teaches. Since Helper already has great focus around the house and yard, our goals for the next few days are to start working on Crate Games and running through uprights. Hopefully she'll be ready to start flyball training this fall.
Ioda's been going in for weekly acupuncture and Adequin injections. These have been working wonderfully. He's moving well and is more active than he was before over-doing it on the hike 5 weeks ago. The vet says that he has more muscle in his hind legs and that we can start being moderately active again. Additionally, we should eventually be able to participate in non-jumping agility classes, though she mentioned that he might really enjoy canine freestyle--I'm not so sure I could ever do that in public though.
Family and friends, here's all you really care about, pictures!
Here Tim and Helper are playing, but Tim has the toy.
Dogs just chilling under the desk.
And by the way, I seriously think that neon yellow-green toy is indestructible.
For Helper the biggest distraction is still other dogs. However, due some wonderful advice in the book Control Unleashed, she's made some big progress. We now play the 'look at that' game with other dogs, people, traffic, anything that she wants. It really does allow her to calm down. We've also learned that if we give her enough squeeze cheese to gum up her mouth before she starts barking, she can't bark at the other dogs at obedience class . . . which means we can give her more squeeze cheese for not barking, and pretty soon we can play the 'look at that game'. Last night at class, she was even focused enough to participate in some of the exercises. The instructor also mentioned that we could stop by and practice attention and calm behaviors at two of the calmer, upper-level agility classes she teaches. Since Helper already has great focus around the house and yard, our goals for the next few days are to start working on Crate Games and running through uprights. Hopefully she'll be ready to start flyball training this fall.
Ioda's been going in for weekly acupuncture and Adequin injections. These have been working wonderfully. He's moving well and is more active than he was before over-doing it on the hike 5 weeks ago. The vet says that he has more muscle in his hind legs and that we can start being moderately active again. Additionally, we should eventually be able to participate in non-jumping agility classes, though she mentioned that he might really enjoy canine freestyle--I'm not so sure I could ever do that in public though.
Family and friends, here's all you really care about, pictures!
Here Tim and Helper are playing, but Tim has the toy.
Dogs just chilling under the desk.
And by the way, I seriously think that neon yellow-green toy is indestructible.
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