geekhack Marketplace > HWS Archive
The Daily Dog - Puppy Dog News and Daily Inspiration
WidgiePidge:
Hahaha. Sure :D
Come hungry.
--- Quote from: CPTBadAss on Fri, 05 August 2016, 10:33:19 ---So....we're having pancakes for 3 meals a day? :eek:
--- End quote ---
iamtootallforthis:
My dog loves carrots, cucumbers, green beans, blueberries and peaches.
WidgiePidge:
This morning the boys went to visit Trainer Diane. We brought our 50 foot bright orange training leashes to work on long-distance exercises. Diane lives out in the country, amidst small clumped cities, but mostly the landscape is fields and farms. Today we met up at a park near her house. It is (you guessed it) a SMALL playground, a BIG field... oh... and some horse-shoe pits up front. There are supposedly quite a few trails near the back of the property in a highly wooded area but we have not ventured there yet.
The scenery
The park
and a random housing development
Lead lines are great training tools. They are often used by people who train scent-hounds and hunting dogs. They do not have a handle on the end of the leash because 1. It can be dangerous and get hooked on something, such as a branch or root. and 2. The intent is for the person to not have to hold it. The dogs usually drag the leash along behind them and it is used for minute corrections (which can be done by stepping on or grabbing the leash). Most dogs are not given quite so much freedom where they are turned out in a field and it can be tempting for them to run away. A long lead gives you a very good head start on ensuring that the dog returns/"recalls".
Chase and Bowie are such big hams that they don't try to run. Usually when we are practicing on our own, they will follow me once I am out of their 50 foot range. Today was really eye-opening because with Diane as a distraction Chase sometimes but especially Bowie, did not even care about where I was or what I was doing.
We have been having issues with the pups being rude to guests. Don't get me wrong they are VERY friendly, and once they calm down, they are very chill and sweet- but the initial explosion is something we'd really like to avoid. Observing Bowie's brain essentially turn "off" as soon as there was a distraction in the room was really interesting. I had no idea his impulses were quite that strong and that he would have so much trouble focusing. This is something that can be worked on but it will take practice, practice, practice.
One of the exercises we did was Diane using herself or a toy as a distraction, and getting the pups really riled up and focused on her. Then I would walk about 30-50 feet away and call them. As soon as they would turn towards me and start to come, Diane would reward them for this behavior by throwing the toy. This is rewarding them for focusing on me and showing them that by doing so it is the only way to get what they want.
Diane showing me how to do the exercise
We also did an exercise where I would hold both dogs and wait for them to "sit" without asking. Diane made herself and a toy as distracting as possible and would throw the toy. Once each dog sat, I would release him by saying "Okay Chase" or "Okay Bowie" to go and get the toy. This rewards the dogs for sitting without asking and only proceeding towards a distraction with my "okay". Getting a dog to sit (especially a retriever) while something is being thrown directly in front of him is RIDICULOUSLY hard.
Toy up above, dogs sitting. YES! :)
Chase is definitely at a different level than Bowie. He quickly figures out what he has to do to get the treat or the toy. He loves games and exercises like that. Chase was also very eager to "come" when called. Bowie is not quite there yet. He wanted to chase everything that moved and he has also been jumping recently to try and get to toys. He is so easily distracted. Yet another thing we will have to work on!
I'm not complaining at all. This is so much fun. I love seeing the boys working and I can tell that they really feel fulfilled after a morning of training. During the car ride home they usually take a long nap and then they are ready to go once we arrive at the house.
Nap time
The next lesson we will probably be going to a pet store with one of the pups and practicing sitting without being asked before greeting a person, and then also politely greeting (no jumping, body slamming, licking relentlessly)! Also planning to take Chase for a play date with Diane's dog Riko. Riko is a husky/akita mix and very much has similar issues as Chase when it comes to play-time with other dogs. He is very much in-your-face puppy style and sometimes has issues with dominant dogs.
My toy
Puppy pile
Chase being a ham
WidgiePidge:
One thing that is really great about dogs is that they are always up for an adventure. Since owning dogs we have discovered so many exciting places to go. We've lived in PA for almost 2 years and only recently did we discover the local 949 acre tree preserve. To get there, it's a short trip on the highway and then you turn off on some very curvy (but well-paved) back roads. Even if you're looking for the entrance, it's super easy to miss. The entrance has a relatively bland, brown sign, and to get to the parking lot, you must travel up a very long dirt driveway. On both sides of the driveway there are vast fields with grass as tall as a person and you really can't see much of what you are approaching. It is a designated Conservation Area, so much of the land is left "as is". I really like that the the swallows tend to flock to this area.
The trails are marked mostly by spray paint dots on the trees. Don't forget which trail you are on, because you will get lost otherwise, and there are no maps and no cell service. I usually take the dogs on the pink and light green dotted trail. On this trail you can hear the creek gurgling in the background and the trail is not too steep. Some of the other trails have intense inclines and are rocky, which is just too much for Bowie to handle. All four of us are getting stronger and more in shape, so maybe someday we will be able to venture these trails and not feel it for the next three days.
Chase and Bowie really enjoy picking up twigs off the trail and playing tug-of-war with them while we are walking along. I have to be super-prepared with my clicker and treat pouch to reward them for dropping (and not eating sticks), as well as heeling by my side.
The Tree Preserve
Usually when we've gone here it's been pretty vacant, which actually is kind of nice. I can probably count the amount of people I've run into there on one hand. No matter what time of day or weather condition, the other park we frequent seems to always be busy. The tree preserve is exceptionally well-shaded so it's perfect for summer afternoons and really humid days. Just remember to wear bug spray and make sure that your dogs are on a tick preventative, to be safe. Chase and Bowie take a garlic pill every morning that wards off fleas and ticks for 24 hours.
A big ol' snake
The tree preserve is just one of many places that we have discovered. One thing we've learned about owning dogs is just how much they LOVE to exercise and how much they enjoy going to a new place. I know plenty of people who have "big yard" and think that is sufficient for their dog's well-being but imho it's only satisfying the physical aspect, and not necessarily their psychological needs. Chase especially gets bored with places if he's been to them very frequently. Like yesterday, Chase was non-stop picking up and chewing on sticks at the park. Today, I am going to try to take him to the dog park. He always seems more content once he has a change of scenery and new people and dogs to interact with.
I've got to thank the pups for inspiring us to get exercise, leave the house, and explore many of our local parks. Stay tuned for more adventures yet to come :)
ccarlitos2:
Das a big ole snake...
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version