I spend so much time with the foster dogs that my own dogs aren't getting the training they need. They get plenty of attention, but their obedience skills are lacking. Here are the things I want to fix in my own dogs:
Ella steals food as often as she can. She will steal candy from babies! Right out of their mouths. She isn't growling or anything, just stealing. I would like Ella to learn a really good "Leave It" this year.
Maggie has awful recall (come). She takes off any chance she gets. She comes back, but in her own, sweet time. This can be nerve wracking when she does this in the fall, during hunting season. I would like Maggie to have a more reliable recall.
Robbie is afraid of strangers, especially men, and children. I would like Robbie to learn to approach strangers without alarm barking.
Bear is also afraid of strangers. It is much harder to get Bear used to strangers, since he is deaf. However, my goal this year for Bear is to take him more places where we can safely get him used to new people.
Spirit has improved so much since she came to me. But, she really needs more basic training, including sit! So, I would like to teach Spirit how to allow collar grabs from me and how to sit to take treats.
I could probably teach all of this at home. In fact, I know I could teach this. But, setting aside the time to spend with each dog individually is really difficult! I have decided that the best way for me to meet these goals is the sign each of my dogs up for a class:
I have signed Ella up for a level 2 class - we will be working on a longer down, stay, recall and better heeling. And, while we wait for class to start, we will be working on leave it. Ella's class starts April 29.
I have signed Maggie up for a basic obedience class. She already knows many of the cues, but the classroom setting will help get her ready for the level 2 classes, which work on recall much more. Maggie's class starts May 31.
I have planned out when I need to sign Robbie up for his Level 1 class and when to sign Maggie up for the Level 2. If Ella does well during the Level 2 class, then I will sign her up for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) class.
Bear will get to take a class late this fall. In the meantime, I will begin setting up meetings with friends to get Bear used to strangers. I will be doing the same with Spirit.
Showing posts with label spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spirit. Show all posts
Monday, March 3, 2008
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sunshiney Spirit
Spirit,
a Pom mix, looking very cute.
Smelly, but cute. She likes to roll in smelly things. Like skunk. And, deer poop.
She loves to bark. Sounds like she has been a smoker - hoarse and deep! You should hear her howl! At night, she loves to cuddle with me and Robbie.
Outside, she runs and runs. She is very fast and such a tease!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Foster Dog #7: Spirit
Miss Spirit, aka Sunshine, aka Mystic, is a little adorable Pomeranian Sheltie mix. Looking at her markings and coat, it is easy to think “sheltie.” But, when she turns her head and you get a profile – she definitely has some pom in her!
Spirit is foster #6 (well, really #7, if Duchess and Blackie do not count as one). She was spayed last Thursday and is just now feeling a little better (she is zoom zooming outside). The stitches itch, though, and she has a hard time bending to lick them, so gets a little frustrated! The noises she makes!
She is a timid little girl who has an easier time dealing with people than other dogs. She is starting to play with Robbie – since he never leaves her alone and is always pestering her to play. She is also good with Ella and Maggie. The first night she was here, she slept on the bed with her head on Maggie’s rump. And, if the play gets too rough, she will often run and hide behind Miss Mags.
Spirit can take or leave Bear, whom she is having a hard time communicating with, since Bear only responds to canine body language, especially sheltie body language. Spirit tends to vocalize her displeasure with the close proximity of other dogs and Bear can’t hear, so she often feels the need to nip at him. THAT is body language he can see and understand, so he now tends to give her a wide berth. But, Spirit doesn’t seem to be any more timid around Bear than the other shelties.
Blackie, however, gets into growling contests with Spirit. Of course, both are on the bed and both think that this is THEIR place to be – no other dogs up here, thank you very much. Well, the rule in this house is that bed privileges go only to those who have earned them. And, I am the only one who decides who is on the bed. Any excessive growling or snarkiness, and you have lost your bed privileges for the night.
First, everyone must learn the cue “Off the Bed.” I teach each and every foster (and my own permanent dogs) this term. First, we practice jumping up and down off the bed – I use treats to lure them. Then, we do this while I use a hand motion and say “Off the bed.” I eventually phase out the lure and then just reward when they are on the floor.
I also teach “Get on this bed.” Which is actually taught in my household as a game, since once they jump on the bed, we play sock muzzle or belly rubs or feet catching, depending upon how safe it is to play such games with each dog.
Maggie, Ella and Robbie all sleep on the bed off and on through the night. They usually choose when and where, since they allow other dogs on the bed. Harley and Bailey, the two Siamese cats, always sleep on the bed. So, there is some room for another dog or two. If anyone tries to monopolize the bed, they are asked to get off. If they don’t, I gently pick them up and deposit them on a dog bed of their own on the floor (sometimes, during the night, I do not reinforce with a treat). No yanking collars or anything like that – just gently touching them and then lifting up and to their own bed. Blackie especially responds well to this (he does NOT respond well to touching his collar to move him). Spirit needs a little more work with staying off the bed once she is no longer on it, but once she becomes more confident, she will feel more comfortable sleeping in her own bed occasionally.
Spirit is foster #6 (well, really #7, if Duchess and Blackie do not count as one). She was spayed last Thursday and is just now feeling a little better (she is zoom zooming outside). The stitches itch, though, and she has a hard time bending to lick them, so gets a little frustrated! The noises she makes!
She is a timid little girl who has an easier time dealing with people than other dogs. She is starting to play with Robbie – since he never leaves her alone and is always pestering her to play. She is also good with Ella and Maggie. The first night she was here, she slept on the bed with her head on Maggie’s rump. And, if the play gets too rough, she will often run and hide behind Miss Mags.
Spirit can take or leave Bear, whom she is having a hard time communicating with, since Bear only responds to canine body language, especially sheltie body language. Spirit tends to vocalize her displeasure with the close proximity of other dogs and Bear can’t hear, so she often feels the need to nip at him. THAT is body language he can see and understand, so he now tends to give her a wide berth. But, Spirit doesn’t seem to be any more timid around Bear than the other shelties.
Blackie, however, gets into growling contests with Spirit. Of course, both are on the bed and both think that this is THEIR place to be – no other dogs up here, thank you very much. Well, the rule in this house is that bed privileges go only to those who have earned them. And, I am the only one who decides who is on the bed. Any excessive growling or snarkiness, and you have lost your bed privileges for the night.
First, everyone must learn the cue “Off the Bed.” I teach each and every foster (and my own permanent dogs) this term. First, we practice jumping up and down off the bed – I use treats to lure them. Then, we do this while I use a hand motion and say “Off the bed.” I eventually phase out the lure and then just reward when they are on the floor.
I also teach “Get on this bed.” Which is actually taught in my household as a game, since once they jump on the bed, we play sock muzzle or belly rubs or feet catching, depending upon how safe it is to play such games with each dog.
Maggie, Ella and Robbie all sleep on the bed off and on through the night. They usually choose when and where, since they allow other dogs on the bed. Harley and Bailey, the two Siamese cats, always sleep on the bed. So, there is some room for another dog or two. If anyone tries to monopolize the bed, they are asked to get off. If they don’t, I gently pick them up and deposit them on a dog bed of their own on the floor (sometimes, during the night, I do not reinforce with a treat). No yanking collars or anything like that – just gently touching them and then lifting up and to their own bed. Blackie especially responds well to this (he does NOT respond well to touching his collar to move him). Spirit needs a little more work with staying off the bed once she is no longer on it, but once she becomes more confident, she will feel more comfortable sleeping in her own bed occasionally.
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