Looooong day at work today, so I ended up doing a very short session with each dog.
For Sadie, we are rebuilding her call-off from her dinner bowl. I let her see me take some super-yummy treats, then released her to her kibble. After a few gulps I called her away. She came! For that, she earned a cookie and release back to her bowl. It was odd, though, that the first call-off was the most prompt.
For Maxwell, I did a few relaxation exercises at random. I counted aloud and to myself, walked around him, skipped away, and did a few other odd things. He was great. I still see improvement in his posture as he stays loose despite my goofiness, and he's less hyper-alert. We finished with a few directionals (right and left circles) and reminders of some cues we don't use very often ("pound it" and "bow").
A short session, but a successful one.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Off-Grid And Off-Leash
The three of us had a great time in the woods this past weekend, despite the 5 hour drive to get there!
It started off awesome when I unleashed both dogs before I released them from the car. Predictably, they both bolted. The great thing was that they both stayed close and came with me when I walked to the house. After that, I was convinced: Maxwell could stay off-leash whenever I deemed it safe. Sadie is already very reliable, since she's a clingy home-body at heart.
I made a 10 foot drag line for the puppy, as well as a nearly 30 foot tether. I didn't use the tether even once, and the drag line was great for walking on the roads. I could snag him when cars or other dogs came along, but let him loose most of the time. By the way, making your own stuff is easy and cheap! Rope + leash clips cost under $15. I got splicing instructions off the internet, and made two nicely finished items in perhaps an hour.
Sadie had an absolute blast chasing Maxwell through the forest and swimming after sticks. Poor thing over-did it on Sunday, though. I noticed that she was keeping her tail straight down without wagging when she was standing, and had a tough time sitting. Even when she did sit, it was with her tail on the floor between her legs. I think she pulled a muscle mildly, as she's already much better.
Maxwell still doesn't want to swim, but did with a little, ahem, help. I held him just past where he could stand and put a ball right in front of his nose. He could have panicked and just swam for land, but the ball was just too tempting! Of course, once he grabbed the ball and got back to shore, he took off with it into the woods in what I can only assume was the canine version of 'the finger.'
Despite the non-swimming, I did learn something interesting about my little guy and water. If the stick doesn't bob up to the surface immediately, he has no problem dunking his head past the ears into the lake to get it.
Both dogs got ridiculous amounts of table scraps. I figure they were more than burning enough calories outside to make up for it. Plus, out in the woods has got to be the best place to give two dogs raw chicken necks... you don't need to worry about the mess on the floor!
Luckily, the four of us (2 humans, 2 dogs) will be going back for a whole 9 days in just a few weeks! And to think, the dogs are still recovering today after a mere 3-day trip.
Happy trails and tails!
It started off awesome when I unleashed both dogs before I released them from the car. Predictably, they both bolted. The great thing was that they both stayed close and came with me when I walked to the house. After that, I was convinced: Maxwell could stay off-leash whenever I deemed it safe. Sadie is already very reliable, since she's a clingy home-body at heart.
I made a 10 foot drag line for the puppy, as well as a nearly 30 foot tether. I didn't use the tether even once, and the drag line was great for walking on the roads. I could snag him when cars or other dogs came along, but let him loose most of the time. By the way, making your own stuff is easy and cheap! Rope + leash clips cost under $15. I got splicing instructions off the internet, and made two nicely finished items in perhaps an hour.
Sadie had an absolute blast chasing Maxwell through the forest and swimming after sticks. Poor thing over-did it on Sunday, though. I noticed that she was keeping her tail straight down without wagging when she was standing, and had a tough time sitting. Even when she did sit, it was with her tail on the floor between her legs. I think she pulled a muscle mildly, as she's already much better.
Maxwell still doesn't want to swim, but did with a little, ahem, help. I held him just past where he could stand and put a ball right in front of his nose. He could have panicked and just swam for land, but the ball was just too tempting! Of course, once he grabbed the ball and got back to shore, he took off with it into the woods in what I can only assume was the canine version of 'the finger.'
Despite the non-swimming, I did learn something interesting about my little guy and water. If the stick doesn't bob up to the surface immediately, he has no problem dunking his head past the ears into the lake to get it.
Both dogs got ridiculous amounts of table scraps. I figure they were more than burning enough calories outside to make up for it. Plus, out in the woods has got to be the best place to give two dogs raw chicken necks... you don't need to worry about the mess on the floor!
Luckily, the four of us (2 humans, 2 dogs) will be going back for a whole 9 days in just a few weeks! And to think, the dogs are still recovering today after a mere 3-day trip.
Happy trails and tails!
Friday, July 1, 2011
PfR: Day 4
We did a short session tonight, as I'm pretty fried from work.
With Maxwell, I did not follow the protocol. I instead used the exercises we've been doing, plus a little creativity, to create my own session. Maxwell sticks in his sit or down very nicely now. We still need to work on the "relaxation" part, but I'm confident that will come.
He stayed put for my counting aloud (which included not a few yawns), walking around him, and tapping on a window across the room. Picking up a chew toy and tossing it in the air was a bit much. He shifted forward sharply, fully alert, but didn't break his down.
For now, I'm just trying to fix Sadie's behavior slide around food. We used to be able to call her off her dinner mid-chew. Now she makes a weight shift in my direction, but chows down even more frantically than before. It's like she wants to come, but has to finish the kibble first.
I'm using treats to try and give the call-off more value than the kibble. Limited success at this point, since she doesn't seem to want to risk leaving the food. Suggestions?
PS - I'm taking the dogs upstate for the long weekend, so it's radio silence for a bit. Have fun with your dogs over the holiday!
With Maxwell, I did not follow the protocol. I instead used the exercises we've been doing, plus a little creativity, to create my own session. Maxwell sticks in his sit or down very nicely now. We still need to work on the "relaxation" part, but I'm confident that will come.
He stayed put for my counting aloud (which included not a few yawns), walking around him, and tapping on a window across the room. Picking up a chew toy and tossing it in the air was a bit much. He shifted forward sharply, fully alert, but didn't break his down.
For now, I'm just trying to fix Sadie's behavior slide around food. We used to be able to call her off her dinner mid-chew. Now she makes a weight shift in my direction, but chows down even more frantically than before. It's like she wants to come, but has to finish the kibble first.
I'm using treats to try and give the call-off more value than the kibble. Limited success at this point, since she doesn't seem to want to risk leaving the food. Suggestions?
PS - I'm taking the dogs upstate for the long weekend, so it's radio silence for a bit. Have fun with your dogs over the holiday!
Color Me Impressed
On our morning run today, we passed several dogs. Most were small, and of the leash-straining-and-snarling variety, plus one medium curious-but-timid. One dog, though, stuck out.
Around the 3-mile mark, I noticed a woman walking her large dog towards us. I groaned inwardly, as it was at a spot where the sidewalk is narrow, there is a hedge directly to one side, and only a narrow strip of grass on the other. Sadie already had her ears perked a block away, and Maxwell was pulling hard.
The woman casually stepped off the sidewalk onto the grass as we neared. Her dog glanced at us then followed his owner, giving her his full attention. She said nothing, but simply raised a single finger in almost a 'shush' motion. The dog sat, and didn't even turn to watch us struggle past. (Way to make me look good, Maxwell. I LOVE when my dog acts out of control in public!)
The strange dog was, of course, an Aussie.
Around the 3-mile mark, I noticed a woman walking her large dog towards us. I groaned inwardly, as it was at a spot where the sidewalk is narrow, there is a hedge directly to one side, and only a narrow strip of grass on the other. Sadie already had her ears perked a block away, and Maxwell was pulling hard.
The woman casually stepped off the sidewalk onto the grass as we neared. Her dog glanced at us then followed his owner, giving her his full attention. She said nothing, but simply raised a single finger in almost a 'shush' motion. The dog sat, and didn't even turn to watch us struggle past. (Way to make me look good, Maxwell. I LOVE when my dog acts out of control in public!)
The strange dog was, of course, an Aussie.
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