Update on how the training is going...
Food Aggression:
I've gotten a little more lax with Copper in the last few days. I've forgotten and left the bowls out after feeding time, which in turn, allows Copper the opportunity to lick his and Sara's bowl. He still does really well in waiting for his food even though Sara has started before him. He also does really well when we take his food away from him mid-meal.
We did have one instance where he tried to start eating Sara's food while she had her head in the bowl. And I caught it so fast that I simply scooped him up with a firm "NO" and held him up like a baby until Sara was done eating. He didn't snap or anything. Good thing he's not heavier!
Loose Leash/Leash Aggression:
Both dogs have been getting walks together, which I'm sure is where the problem lies. I don't even know when I drifted out of the habit of walking them separately, but I'm sure I should start back up. Both dogs are walking on the leash well. Sara Beth still pulls more than Copper, but they are good in my book.
This morning we had a good walk and I think it was because I was only half-awake. I was more mellow and so they were more mellow. I barely said anything except maybe a "good boy/good girl" here or there, and mainly just led by pace and leash direction. I think I'm a believer in the fact that my hyper energy can make the dogs more hyper.
Now, the leash aggression is still a problem. oh the agony! I feel like the dogs have gotten worse instead of better about seeing other dogs out. Even bikes are freaking them out again, and sometimes runners. It's so frustrating to have to go back to basics with them when I thought we were past this!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
the herders are here
The dog park is by far the best way for my dogs to get their energy out and get exercise. Luckily, Nashville has a great dog park about two miles from where we live. Since both of our dogs are high energy and also herders and also very athletic, the dog park meets all of those qualities.
When our dogs get there, you know because they are barking at the other dogs and chasing them at blazing speeds. The herders are here! They run and chase anything that moves, which means that they are constantly on the move if there are a lot of active dogs there at the time. The dog park is also good for the purpose of socialization. After going week after week, I can tell that they are more and more comfortable with the new dogs they meet...now if only I can get them more comfortable with the dogs on our block...
What I love about this is that after they play around and get tired, they are the SWEETEST dogs. (I mean Sara Beth is always sweet, but Copper is our little butthead. :) ) And even he was super sweet last night. I think it just goes to show you that if you have an active dog that is misbehaving, it may be partly due to lack of exercise.
One thing I try to do after we leave the dog park is practice walking back and forth near the fence line and the sidewalk leading to the dog park. While the dogs are tired, this is a good time to practice and reward their good behavior interacting with dogs on leashes or seeing dogs at a distance. Now, it'd be good for me to take them home and then for a walk to practice even more, but often our schedule doesn't allow for that.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
exercise: with you and your pup
I have this dilemma every morning. We have two very active dogs that need a walk, so while I'm walking them, I might as well get some exercise too. Up until this point, it's mainly been just going running. But, for my own sake, I need to be pushing my workout more.
I recently started something new though to spice things up and keep my workout changing. And I think it helps with the loose leash walking training (which is ongoing).
Lunges.
High Knees.
Butt Kicks.
Sprints.
So, now once or twice a week, I'll do a run where on one block I'll do walking lunges and then I'll run a couple blocks. Then, I'll do a block of high knees or butt kicks, etc and go back to running. Alternating this in with my running helps keep my heart rate up while still using different muscles than in just plain old jogging.
Now, how does this help with leash training? My dogs know the routes we go on, they know the smells, they know the pace. They're smart dogs. So when I switch it up on them, they are forced to follow me and pay attention more. Doing lunges down a block takes a lot longer than sprinting, and that ever changing pace keeps dogs like mine alert. A similar thing has been recommended to me in the past regarding changing things up, and that is to keep changing directions if your dog likes to pull.
I recently started something new though to spice things up and keep my workout changing. And I think it helps with the loose leash walking training (which is ongoing).
Lunges.
High Knees.
Butt Kicks.
Sprints.
So, now once or twice a week, I'll do a run where on one block I'll do walking lunges and then I'll run a couple blocks. Then, I'll do a block of high knees or butt kicks, etc and go back to running. Alternating this in with my running helps keep my heart rate up while still using different muscles than in just plain old jogging.
Now, how does this help with leash training? My dogs know the routes we go on, they know the smells, they know the pace. They're smart dogs. So when I switch it up on them, they are forced to follow me and pay attention more. Doing lunges down a block takes a lot longer than sprinting, and that ever changing pace keeps dogs like mine alert. A similar thing has been recommended to me in the past regarding changing things up, and that is to keep changing directions if your dog likes to pull.
Friday, June 3, 2011
hows the training going?
the dog training has been going well lately. sara beth and copper have been getting walks together these days, which is technically breaking my rules, but it's been in the mid 90's consistently and it's just too hot to take them separately. they've actually been doing really well. we ran into "emma" (one of the dogs they have issues with from our building) and we promptly turned and walked the opposite way (with purpose and decent speed). both dogs barked initially, but settled back into "walk mode" fairly quickly.
we haven't been running into too many dogs lately - could be the heat, but they've been doing well regardless. but, I misplaced my "clicker" and I need to find it to continue to be consistent in this technique. that's my goal for the weekend: find the clicker!
eeew gross! just warning you...
This is gross, so beware. Has your dog ever gotten into something he shouldn't and swallowed it? Well, with two highly intelligent dogs, that can happen. Sometimes I can't even figure out how they get some things that they have gotten into!
Today's adventure was fairly easy to figure out - and really was my own fault. While I was in the shower, my good old friend Copper got into the trash and ate something that could expand in his stomach if he had swallowed it. Needless to say, I decided I should resort to our old trick to make Copper throw up. I didn't want anything moving into his intestines and get stuck-which could become a big problem.
Now, if the item was a sharp one, I would NOT suggest trying to make your dog gag. Call your vet! We just force the dog to swallow a tablespoon of salt and wait a few minutes. I've heard you can do hydrogen peroxide too, but I've never gotten that to work.
Fortunately, nothing major came up in his vomit, which means he actually didn't eat anything, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I don't think making a dog vomit intentionally is ever really a good thing, but in my opinion it'd be better than a blocked intestine!
This was Copper's first time with this experience. Unfortunately, Sara Beth has had this done to her a few more times when she was a young puppy (due to swallowing game pieces, 1/2 bag of sugar, lots of grapes, and a box of crayons). Just make sure that the dog is hydrated afterwards and give lots of love as they probably don't feel the best!
Moral of the today's story: Well, I've got to be more careful with the trash around him. It's funny how some dogs are attracted to those scents and then others (like Sara Beth), could care less. Any time a dog debacle happens, I just have to learn from it and see "how could we have avoided this".
Today's adventure was fairly easy to figure out - and really was my own fault. While I was in the shower, my good old friend Copper got into the trash and ate something that could expand in his stomach if he had swallowed it. Needless to say, I decided I should resort to our old trick to make Copper throw up. I didn't want anything moving into his intestines and get stuck-which could become a big problem.
Now, if the item was a sharp one, I would NOT suggest trying to make your dog gag. Call your vet! We just force the dog to swallow a tablespoon of salt and wait a few minutes. I've heard you can do hydrogen peroxide too, but I've never gotten that to work.
Fortunately, nothing major came up in his vomit, which means he actually didn't eat anything, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I don't think making a dog vomit intentionally is ever really a good thing, but in my opinion it'd be better than a blocked intestine!
This was Copper's first time with this experience. Unfortunately, Sara Beth has had this done to her a few more times when she was a young puppy (due to swallowing game pieces, 1/2 bag of sugar, lots of grapes, and a box of crayons). Just make sure that the dog is hydrated afterwards and give lots of love as they probably don't feel the best!
Moral of the today's story: Well, I've got to be more careful with the trash around him. It's funny how some dogs are attracted to those scents and then others (like Sara Beth), could care less. Any time a dog debacle happens, I just have to learn from it and see "how could we have avoided this".
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