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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.

How to get work done with a puppy around...

Fran and Booker playing tug

Booker is a very happy puppy and wants to play ALL THE TIME! I'm lucky enough to be able to bring him to work with me. I bring Tango to work as well, but this morning Tango was at the groomer. Booker didn't have his brother to torture play with and I did have work to do. I don't want to entertain the puppy - he should be able to entertain himself! Booker doesn't have the emotional control to settle on his own yet, hopefully one day he will. I could have crated him but that didn't seem right. So I played with him for a few minutes. Vigorously. Tugging the toy. And then he got his bone for a while and left me alone! And when he came over and jumped on me, I told him to go to his bed. And we'll do that again in an hour. Because it's good to get up from my desk periodically anyway!

And here's Tango, looking spiffy after his haircut!

Booker loves everyone

Booker at about 12 weeks and Tango

Tango - not so much. Interestingly, since Booker has come into our lives, Tango seems to be lightening up. He's coming over for scritches more, he's playing with me and the other dogs more, he seems to be happier. And I was worried that Tango would try to kill the puppy. Dogs are always surprising.