You can hide behind Zappa and Boxer but I know where you live!
So after yesterday's post and how I thought I had to start all over with teaching the dogs to walk on their leashes; I gathered all my wits, took the advice of Houndstooth from Tales and Tails and Pamela from Something Wagging This Way Comes, took a deep breath and walked the Back Dogs one at a time to the corner and back. For some strange reason I didn't have much problem at all. Imagine that! It really IS my husband who turns the dogs into psycho walkers.
Of course there still needs to be some work on pulling and consistency, but overall they did great! And using Houndstooth's suggestion about doing some commands before the walk as well as stopping during the walk and doing them was a gem. All the dogs loved it, including Brut, which is a miracle because he doesn't like to stop. Of course a pocket full of goodies helped to keep his attention. I've been practicing with Brut wearing a no pull head halter, (like a Gentle Leader) which I'd still like to try with him because it works good for Brut around people and other dogs. So he had a full dose of mental stimulation before I even decided to walk everybody.
Zappa is so cute. We played 'find' it by throwing a treat just ahead of him and just short of the leash length. It kept his attention on me without pulling and because he's too wiggly to sit down for long. I thought of Pamela's post: Know your limits and Zappa has always had a hard time doing commands that involve him in one spot for too long. So 'find it' really worked for us, as with Fiona as it is sometimes hard for her to sit on the ice with her bad hips.
So all in all we had a great time and it was fun for me too. Talk about having to engage my brain as well. I was wiped out by the fourth dog, which was why Chance and Blaze will have to wait until today for their turn. And just that little added bonus of stopping and making them sit, lay down, roll over, turn around, find it and give me five all made for 4 tired dogs and one tired owner.
Can't believe I actually thought I had to start all over....damn husband!! :)
*********************************************************************************
Don't miss the first lesson of Boxer's new human apprentice...in Lesson One-the Perfect Lap
Be one with your catness!
4 comments:
I am happy to hear you sounding more optimistic today! I'm also glad you got some advice that works for you. :) I think sometimes its MUCH easier to see a situation from the outside as opposed to being in the thick of it.
I also don't want to burst your bubble of happiness here, but it is MUCH easier to train dogs than husbands! I have only had marginal success in the area of husband training! :P
I hear ya! Give me a dog to train any day then get my husband to take care of his candy wrappers! Geesh!!
Whew, great to know you're not starting over at square one.
BTW, I find my husband's presence changes things too. Dogs are so social that anything that changes the family creates a whole new dynamic.
Good for you to set a small goal and meet it.
Doing commands before walks IS a great idea.
I am the problem when it comes to Hades on walks. He has better manners greeting people on leash when Jay holds him for some reason but he's equally reactive for both of us. (Depending on the day, setting and his mood or a variety of factors that I'm not quite sure i will ever full understand!)
Post a Comment