New focus!

So it's been a while - a long while! - since I've posted. I apologize for that. Tango is 5 now, and Booker is 2 - what a big boy! Tango is still a grouch, but less so. And Booker is still a happy-go-lucky, playful fellow. Yes, Tango and Booker have different outlooks on life. I'm never going to change that. And I now understand that their viewpoints are irrelevant in their, and my, respective happiness.

What does make a difference is how each behaves - with each other, with me, with other members of the family, and in public with other dogs and people.

And what makes a difference to behavior is training. Training a dog (the right way) ensures a happy, well-adjusted dog, eager to do what you want and eager to face future challenges. And, training doesn't take long. Just a couple, or a few, 5-minute sessions each day. And lots of patience.

We'll take on that long journey together. I'll share what has worked for me, what I'm trying now, my inspirations. Also what hasn't worked. And during the process we'll have happy dogs and a happy family!

Different outlooks in napping

Sorry it's been a while... Changed web hosts for gollygear.com (where you can see Booker and Tango modelling the latest in dog harness fashions, along with lots of other little dogs), so it's been a very stressful time. But, this afternoon I'm sitting here in the office and Booker is napping under my desk while Tango is snoozing but watching out the door. He never really shuts off here.

Let's Play!

Tango and Booker have different styles of play: Tango seems to be more self-conscious when he plays in places other than home, but Booker totally loses himself in the fun. (In this picture Booker is playing with his Skinneeez toy and Tango is just looking at me.) It could be that Booker is still a puppy, but I want him to keep that fun-loving, carefree aspect to his personality. So, I'll keep playing with him wherever we are! Last weekend we were at a dog Agility trial, where Tango did well, picking up his first qualifying leg in Open Jumpers With Weaves! I brought Booker along to continue his acclimation to new places, and I brought a couple of his toys. During slow times I brought Booker out to practice his walking nicely on lead, and to play. No hesitation! I was so happy that he wanted to tug right out of his crate. Tango won't tug anywhere other than home. I've tried many, many, many times to get him to play at trial settings. I've sat on the floor with him, enticing him to tug. I've made a fool of myself, practically standing on my head to get him to tug. I still try, but he looks at me like I'm insane. Maybe I am!

Boom!

We've all seen lots of posts by many dog trainers about how dogs and fireworks don't mix. Common sense, right? Compression shirts, drugs, natural calming remedies, distraction - all of these work for different dogs. None worked for my last Boston Terrier, Ceilidh, but then, she was "special," and a subject best discussed later. The point here is, do what works for you and your dog!

I know that Tango doesn't really care about fireworks or thunder. If something is particularly loud, he'll pick up his head and look at me. If I don't react, he won't react. But, believe me, sometimes it's hard for me not to react! I jump at thunder, at movie explosions. For my dogs, though, I try! It will certainly be interesting to see Booker's reaction to fireworks. This will be his first Fourth of July celebration. Hopefully he'll take a cue from his "brother" and sleep through it all!

Share your focus

Tango

I have two dogs. Each needs something different from me. I have to remember that, although he's older, Tango needs just as much attention (if not more) as Booker, but in different ways. Tango is still quite reactive in certain situations. I must work as much on that as on Booker walking at heel or on practicing Booker's "stay." It's tiring, putting my dog in a place where I know Tango is as likely to lunge after a person as to sit and look at me. So, I have to anticipate the worst. Maybe one day we'll be at the point where Tango is more likely to look at a distraction and then look back at me. Wishful thinking? I have to make sure it's not!

Do dogs get stiff necks?

We had to leave the dogs most of the day yesterday (not to worry, they were walked after a few hours) and so Booker did not get much exercise during the day. So last night was play time! And more play. So today, Booker is pretty tired. Tango is tired, too, but he sleeps in more conventional positions!

Tango does agility

This is Tango, doing one of the things he likes to do best - jump! These photos were taken a couple of years ago, way before Booker! We were in Louisville, Kentucky, at a huge four-day agility competition. You can see that the surface is dirt, which is great for traction and speed. What you can't see is the crowd and how absolutely intimidating the venue is. There were three rings, with enormous doors open on either end of the stadium. Crowds were walking in and out, and standing near the rings.

 

Unfortunately, Tango became very nervous and scared of the place sometime after this run. He shut down. Refused to come off the start line. And when he did come off the line, he stopped dead before jumps. I don't know why. And this transferred to other trials as well. We're finally at the point where he no longer stops dead before an obstacle in every run. He's not avoiding obstacles by visiting the ring crew. He's not qualifying consistently, or often, but he's better. Tango even gets faster during his runs!

How did we get to this point? Training. Constant, positive training with frequent reinforcement. Everywhere. On the street, in pet stores, in class, at fun matches and agility venues that have ring rentals. We'll continue training, of course. And Booker will come along so that he is accustomed to going to different places. And we'll keep entering trials.