Well we finished our six weeks of Therapy Dog class. Needless to say Chopper has no fear of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, large wood boxes falling on the floor and annoying children's toys (but if I drop a remote he jumps three feet in the air - go figure).
On the last day of class some of the dogs were missing (again) so there were only four of us - which Chopper doesn't mind at all. We went through a simulated version of the testing situation since the trainer is not certified to give a therapy dog test for the licensing organizations. The intent with Chopper was never for him to be a therapy dog - he has a few too many neuroses for the time being - but someday it may be in the cards for him. Chopper did extremely well on everything but the trainer didn't give him the "hug test" as we know Chopper is not a fan of this (unless its me doing the hugging).
One area where Chopper has improved leaps and bounds is with the supervised separation. He initially stayed with the trainer but after a few weeks I wanted him to try it with a new person - enter the pretty girl behind the counter. Up until a few weeks ago Chopper wasn't aware she existed - which is how he likes it. She didn't try and pet him before he was ready or even talk to him. Then I started giving her treats to give him while we were waiting for our turn on activities and then it was time for her to take him. The first time I handed the leash over he tried to follow me. The second week he sat on the floor with her. The next week she was awarded with a kiss before class started and needless to say was fine when I left him with her during the separation part of class. Now Chopper and I have taken three back-to-back classes at the Zoom Room so he had about 5 months of seeing her once a week until he was ready to be totally 100% friends with this person. But still it is impressive for him and if she ever needs a therapy dog Chopper will be ready!
All in all we had lots of fun taking the class and now we are doing Agility League which meets up once a week and the dogs run through the obstacles and see who has the best time. Chopper is pretty slow (I'm usually in front of him) and he doesn't like jumping through the tire but I can't get over how well he listens to me and knows where I want him to go (even when I use the wrong words). Agility League runs almost until Christmas so we will be busy until then.
Showing posts with label Training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Training. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Therapy Dog Class Week 4
Chopper was really on his best behavior the other night before class - almost made it the whole way to class without his blindfold thingamajig without barking (a semi on the 405 was just too much to resist). So I was pretty pleased with him before we even started class.
One of the new activities we tried were walking around in a circle with treats in the middle of the room. Poor old hungry Chopper tried to veer toward those treats a few times but the treats I had were a given (versus him stealing a giant bully stick that I would likely be able to pull out of his mouth) so after a few half-hearted attempts he was compliant with just walking beside me like the good dog he sometimes pretends to be. One of the other dogs though is afraid of pig ears and another one played it cool until the end and then shot toward a piece of chicken like a speeding bullet. In the end none of the dogs got any of the treats.
Last week we also started learning "down" with "head down." Chopper didn't seem to really get it - he did it a few times but sometimes he would crawl toward me instead (my hand was in the same place with the treat as when he does that so I can see the confusion). But this week I said "down" then I said "head down" and he put his head all the way on the floor. I thought it was just a coincidence that he laid down like that. Then I tried again, and he got it right again. I kept doing it and he kept putting his head down and looking up at me with his big eyes. I looked around and everyone else was on the floor trying to coax their dogs to put their heads down. Some went on their sides, some on their backs, one would make his head hover right above the ground but Chopper seemed to be the only one who could do it with a command while I was standing. Way to go Chopper!
One of the new activities we tried were walking around in a circle with treats in the middle of the room. Poor old hungry Chopper tried to veer toward those treats a few times but the treats I had were a given (versus him stealing a giant bully stick that I would likely be able to pull out of his mouth) so after a few half-hearted attempts he was compliant with just walking beside me like the good dog he sometimes pretends to be. One of the other dogs though is afraid of pig ears and another one played it cool until the end and then shot toward a piece of chicken like a speeding bullet. In the end none of the dogs got any of the treats.
Last week we also started learning "down" with "head down." Chopper didn't seem to really get it - he did it a few times but sometimes he would crawl toward me instead (my hand was in the same place with the treat as when he does that so I can see the confusion). But this week I said "down" then I said "head down" and he put his head all the way on the floor. I thought it was just a coincidence that he laid down like that. Then I tried again, and he got it right again. I kept doing it and he kept putting his head down and looking up at me with his big eyes. I looked around and everyone else was on the floor trying to coax their dogs to put their heads down. Some went on their sides, some on their backs, one would make his head hover right above the ground but Chopper seemed to be the only one who could do it with a command while I was standing. Way to go Chopper!
We also practiced the supervised separation again. Normally two dogs do this at a time and since we first took the CGC class Chopper has gone with the trainer and the other dog has gone with the front desk person who helps out during this part of class. For the last few weeks Chopper has been getting treats from her every time we come to class - just for sitting. He's been so good about this (and he was in such a good mood) that I though it was time for her to supervise him and the trainer agreed. So the hand off happened and I left her with a lot of treats. At first Chopper tried to follow me (which he had stopped doing with the trainer) but I just told him he was fine and left. It took a lot of self-control to not peak in the room. When I was called back there was Chopper sitting and getting treats and giving his paw. He had somehow managed to get his Gentle Leader off without the person noticing though. He's sneaky. But there was no screaming or whining (like he does at the groomer's) or refusing to walk (like he does at the vet's). If only the vet would come to class every week.
I'm pretty sure we did more than that during class that was new but it's Monday and those were the highlights. We've signed up for Agility League after this class ends which goes almost until Christmas - so we'll be busy busy!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Therapy Dog Class Week 3
Chopper has not been in good spirits lately since the after dinner snack ban has gone into effect so he refused to write something about the last Therapy Dog Class.
We had a week off from class which was great timing as I had to pack for a trip to Orlando that night (and I never pack early). But when we came back this week all the dogs were back! There was also a visitor who stood in the waiting area the whole time. Chopper doesn't always like visitors in the waiting area - sometimes he barks, sometimes he just keeps running over to the wall to see if they will have treats but he ignored this guy the whole time so I was quite proud of him for that. (I think the fact that treats have been in low quantity lately and the fact that I had treats was enough of a incentive to keep him from being distracted.)
We practiced with all the equipment again (it had treats on it so we were good to go) and reviewed all the other skills we've been working on.
This week though we actually put a label on the dog taking treats from someone with a walker or wheelchair - "come visit." Granted Chopper was on his way to visiting already but I think this could work to my advantage in other situations and to help introduce Chopper to strangers - if he's doing a command he will pay attention to that (and the treats) and not worry about whether someone is going to do whatever he thinks in his little head strangers do to dogs. (I've explained on multiple occasions that I wouldn't ever let anyone hit him but that explanation appears to be a little higher than his language skills at the current time.)
We also worked on more distractions. This time the trainer came up behind the dog and "kicked" them. It wasn't a real kick - just a toe tap - but I guess it was to simulate someone accidentally bumping into them. Poor Chopper was facing me and concentrating really hard on his "look at me" command and didn't even turn his head when he got toe tapped but those giant ears went so far back he looked like he didn't have any at all and his eyes were as big as saucers. I was so happy he didn't jump around or bark or hide - yeah Chopper! (Although yesterday he jumped three feet in the air and did a 180 when I hit a tree with my head and the leaves rustled - apparently he thinks the attack is coming from the trees.)
Also during supervised separation he tried to start playing with his buddy Mumble (who was also practicing supervised alone time) which apparently is not what is supposed to be done during supervised separation. (I wonder how long until I can leave him with someone at Starbucks while I run inside? I'm guessing not until he is very old and has weak eyes and legs and the person smells like me - so this side of never.)
I think Chopper has been working very nicely on overcoming his fears and if the trainer ever needs a therapy dog - Chopper is his guy.
We had a week off from class which was great timing as I had to pack for a trip to Orlando that night (and I never pack early). But when we came back this week all the dogs were back! There was also a visitor who stood in the waiting area the whole time. Chopper doesn't always like visitors in the waiting area - sometimes he barks, sometimes he just keeps running over to the wall to see if they will have treats but he ignored this guy the whole time so I was quite proud of him for that. (I think the fact that treats have been in low quantity lately and the fact that I had treats was enough of a incentive to keep him from being distracted.)
We practiced with all the equipment again (it had treats on it so we were good to go) and reviewed all the other skills we've been working on.
This week though we actually put a label on the dog taking treats from someone with a walker or wheelchair - "come visit." Granted Chopper was on his way to visiting already but I think this could work to my advantage in other situations and to help introduce Chopper to strangers - if he's doing a command he will pay attention to that (and the treats) and not worry about whether someone is going to do whatever he thinks in his little head strangers do to dogs. (I've explained on multiple occasions that I wouldn't ever let anyone hit him but that explanation appears to be a little higher than his language skills at the current time.)
We also worked on more distractions. This time the trainer came up behind the dog and "kicked" them. It wasn't a real kick - just a toe tap - but I guess it was to simulate someone accidentally bumping into them. Poor Chopper was facing me and concentrating really hard on his "look at me" command and didn't even turn his head when he got toe tapped but those giant ears went so far back he looked like he didn't have any at all and his eyes were as big as saucers. I was so happy he didn't jump around or bark or hide - yeah Chopper! (Although yesterday he jumped three feet in the air and did a 180 when I hit a tree with my head and the leaves rustled - apparently he thinks the attack is coming from the trees.)
Also during supervised separation he tried to start playing with his buddy Mumble (who was also practicing supervised alone time) which apparently is not what is supposed to be done during supervised separation. (I wonder how long until I can leave him with someone at Starbucks while I run inside? I'm guessing not until he is very old and has weak eyes and legs and the person smells like me - so this side of never.)
I think Chopper has been working very nicely on overcoming his fears and if the trainer ever needs a therapy dog - Chopper is his guy.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Therapy Dog Class Week 2
So last Thursday was my second Therapy Dog Class and I was tardy. I don't like being tardy. I was mopey the whole car ride because I knew we were going to be late - something about too much traffic. When we did finally get there (we carpooled with Mumble) there were only two other dogs there. The other two were missing. I guess everyone was having a rough day. Those dogs were big German Shepards. My mom insists they were there the week before but I don't remember those dogs and coupled with my distress at being late I barked at those dogs and had a general bad attitude for about five minutes. After that I was ready to participate.
We did some review from last week and some of the new stuff we did was a little harder.
The instructor would come over and stomp his foot near us, roll around in a wheelchair real close, talk loudly, and all sorts of things we were supposed maybe be scared of BUT the point is for us to not to react. I didn't react - when it was happening to me. But I'm a sensitive guy and one of those German Shepards was not fond of all of that nonsense and was trying to get away or cry - so I would bark sometimes or cry when that happened. I don't like seeing a lady in distress.
We also worked on some stays BUT this week the instructor made our people go to the other side of the room and then RAN up and down between us and our people. I was okay with this - twice (and so were the other dogs) but right before the third time we all had a look - the look that told him we didn't want to do it again so we stopped.
I was a little naughty at one point. We were doing some down stays across the room and I was not paying attention to my mommy but only because Mumble's mom had some delicious treats that I wanted in my tummy. My mom saw me looking at her and she waved and clapped her arms to get me to look at her but I wouldn't do it (although I stayed where I was supposed to) then when she said "here" I went over there instead of "here" to get some of those treats. She was not pleased with this.
We have a week off this week which will allow me some time to gather my thoughts. Then I'm off to another staycation at the Kennel Club while my mom goes to Florida. It's too hot for me there, I did't want to go (but she could have asked).
We did some review from last week and some of the new stuff we did was a little harder.
The instructor would come over and stomp his foot near us, roll around in a wheelchair real close, talk loudly, and all sorts of things we were supposed maybe be scared of BUT the point is for us to not to react. I didn't react - when it was happening to me. But I'm a sensitive guy and one of those German Shepards was not fond of all of that nonsense and was trying to get away or cry - so I would bark sometimes or cry when that happened. I don't like seeing a lady in distress.
We also worked on some stays BUT this week the instructor made our people go to the other side of the room and then RAN up and down between us and our people. I was okay with this - twice (and so were the other dogs) but right before the third time we all had a look - the look that told him we didn't want to do it again so we stopped.
I was a little naughty at one point. We were doing some down stays across the room and I was not paying attention to my mommy but only because Mumble's mom had some delicious treats that I wanted in my tummy. My mom saw me looking at her and she waved and clapped her arms to get me to look at her but I wouldn't do it (although I stayed where I was supposed to) then when she said "here" I went over there instead of "here" to get some of those treats. She was not pleased with this.
We have a week off this week which will allow me some time to gather my thoughts. Then I'm off to another staycation at the Kennel Club while my mom goes to Florida. It's too hot for me there, I did't want to go (but she could have asked).
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Therapy Dog Class Week 1
I am now enrolled in my fourth class of the year at the Zoom Room. I think this may be a little overboard but my mom would like me to be well-educated (and well-behaved) so I endure the endless classes. Plus she says it is more interesting than American Diplomatic History or Legal Ethics (what was she thinking taking those classes anyway?).
So last week we started with Therapy Dog Class. For the record, at the current time, we have no intentions that I will actually become a therapy dog. I'm a little scared of children and some elderly citizens as well. I'm sure there are other people that need a therapy dog and maybe someday (when I take the class a fifth time) I can help those people. For now the main objective, according to my mom, is to get me conditioned to different situations. I say - bring it on!
This time there are only six dogs in the class which give me a little more breathing room - I like it. I was there early last week and only one dog was there and she wanted to be my friend. We did the sniff test and I decided she was a good apple. Next my buddy Mumble got there - I didn't know he was in that class too - we got to sit next to each other so that was good (also he didn't like his dried apple treats so I got to eat all of them - I just love that dog). Anyway then these very large German Shepards with very serious parents came in. I like serious people - they don't let a bunch of shenanigans go on. Then there is a tiny dog who seems a little skittish. There were no barking puppies.
There was a lot of talking that I wasn't interested in - something about finding out which organization you needed to be certified through to work where you wanted to do therapy dog. And that you could only have one and not the other. He did say that one thought you should never be away from your dog (I would like to be in that group please). Then we got the names of the other dogs and their people. I'm not good with names but there is always a Bella or Stella in there somewhere.
After the introductions we got down to work. We practiced some stand stays, some down stays and then the hard part - the props. The trainer brought out a wheelchair and an IV pole and we had to take treats and not bark. I did GREAT - you would think I wasn't terrified of the vet (maybe I just need a regular people doctor?).
We also practiced getting pet by the trainer and looking at our parents when the trainer went by (I went to the trainer instead on this one as he gives me yummy treats). Can't wait to see what's on the agenda for class this week.
Tonight I have to go to the vet's for a checkup and a vaccination (I am not happy about this). I keep telling my mom we need to find a belief system that doesn't believe in doctors or vaccinations so I don't have to go through with this nonsense every few months. She said I wouldn't be able to go to the Zoom Room or daycare though. I told her I could live with that if it meant no more needles.
So last week we started with Therapy Dog Class. For the record, at the current time, we have no intentions that I will actually become a therapy dog. I'm a little scared of children and some elderly citizens as well. I'm sure there are other people that need a therapy dog and maybe someday (when I take the class a fifth time) I can help those people. For now the main objective, according to my mom, is to get me conditioned to different situations. I say - bring it on!
This time there are only six dogs in the class which give me a little more breathing room - I like it. I was there early last week and only one dog was there and she wanted to be my friend. We did the sniff test and I decided she was a good apple. Next my buddy Mumble got there - I didn't know he was in that class too - we got to sit next to each other so that was good (also he didn't like his dried apple treats so I got to eat all of them - I just love that dog). Anyway then these very large German Shepards with very serious parents came in. I like serious people - they don't let a bunch of shenanigans go on. Then there is a tiny dog who seems a little skittish. There were no barking puppies.
There was a lot of talking that I wasn't interested in - something about finding out which organization you needed to be certified through to work where you wanted to do therapy dog. And that you could only have one and not the other. He did say that one thought you should never be away from your dog (I would like to be in that group please). Then we got the names of the other dogs and their people. I'm not good with names but there is always a Bella or Stella in there somewhere.
After the introductions we got down to work. We practiced some stand stays, some down stays and then the hard part - the props. The trainer brought out a wheelchair and an IV pole and we had to take treats and not bark. I did GREAT - you would think I wasn't terrified of the vet (maybe I just need a regular people doctor?).
We also practiced getting pet by the trainer and looking at our parents when the trainer went by (I went to the trainer instead on this one as he gives me yummy treats). Can't wait to see what's on the agenda for class this week.
Tonight I have to go to the vet's for a checkup and a vaccination (I am not happy about this). I keep telling my mom we need to find a belief system that doesn't believe in doctors or vaccinations so I don't have to go through with this nonsense every few months. She said I wouldn't be able to go to the Zoom Room or daycare though. I told her I could live with that if it meant no more needles.
Friday, August 26, 2011
National Dog Day
It is apparently National Dog Day. The official website for National Dog Day had a list of 50 ways to celebrate. I decided to take a look and see if Chopper and I were fulfilling our duties. (For the detailed original list with links to other organizations click here.)
1. Adopt a dog from your local shelter. Check - that's how I got into this mess.
2. Be prepared for a new dog by buying a book about new dogs. I did this before I got a dog - I got Dogs for Dummies or some such thing - if I was recommending a book for new dog owners though I would probably recommend a book by Tamar Gellar and then Marley & Me or some other book where the dog is a disaster. Just to be prepared.
3. Donate blankets, food and toys to a local shelter. We've done this before but need to do it again. I have a box full of toys that Chopper never used that could go to a good home.,
4. Organize a peaceful demonstration in front of a store that sells puppies. If Chopper showed up there would be nothing peaceful about a demonstration.
5. Write your Congressman to ask them to support a ban on puppy mills. Here's a link that will help you find out who your representative in Congress is for this and other good causes.
6. Assist an ill or elderly neighbor by walking their dog.
7. Have a National Dog Day party and invite your friends and their dogs. I like throwing parties but I think some of the other suggestions might be better. Plus Chopper already had a birthday party - I don't want him to be a party animal.
8. Join an online dog community.
9. Host a National Dog Day event/fundraiser.
10. Have a Witty Wocks made to look like your pet. I had no idea what this meant but it is apparently a rock painted like your pet. I will admit to having artwork with Chopper and wanting more but I don't think this is up our alley.
11. Have a portrait painted of your dog. This is on my list of things I want but I can't make up my mind about the style I want and they are pretty expensive - so it goes on the wish list.
12. Buy your dog a fun new dog toy. It just so happens that a Nina Ottosson dog puzzle is on its way to our house now. We already have two. I love these things.
13. Take your dog to a doggy play resort. I don't' know what this means either but Chopper goes to the Zoom Room for agility, scent discrimination, etc., so I think he's covered on this one.
14. There was no #14. Why? Is this a bad doggy luck number.
15. Brush your dog. We do this a few times a week. Since starting Chopper on fish oil though hardly any fur comes off anymore.
16. Give your dog a massage. I have read a little about the T-touch method and Chopper does enjoy a good rub down now and then.
17. Get your dog some leash training lessons. We are good on this (with the exception of garbage day). Next.
18. Buy your dog a new collar, leash or outfit. Hmm. I don't think he needs another collar but I think there is a brand new one in the cabinet so I can fake it.
19. Purchase a carrier for your dog. I bought a CR-V instead of a Mini Cooper - he's good.
20. Take your dog to the beach. Chopper's favorite place ever - we are frequent visitors.
21. Purchase natural cleaners. I will admit that I have not investigated this in any way. Something else to worry about.
22. Dog proof your home. This isn't an issue anymore but Chopper was a cord chewer, blind puller, book eating puppy mess so I was pretty adamant about things back then. Now he just seems to sleep and eat when I'm not home.
23. Buy your dog an accessory. We'll pass.
24. Install a care safety harness. Chopper rides in the cargo area and I've recently started clipping him in with a tie down to a hook in the car to prevent him from running away in a car accident.
25. Switch to a holistic brand of dog food. As I've shared before Chopper is on organic grain-free food that I really like.
26. Hire a pet photographer. Also on the top of my doggy wish list.
27. Pamper your dog by purchasing him a luxury item. Not sure what that means - Chopper would prefer a salami though.
28. Buy your dog a new bed. Yeah we don't need a fifth bed.
29. Take your dog on a pet friendly vacation. I think this requires further investigation. Chopper has traveled to San Francisco and Pennsylvania before so he has some experience in this area.
30. Buy matching t-shirts. We did this on Election Day 2008 - once is enough.
31. Create your dog a profile. Apparently a huge % of dogs have facebook pages.
32. Have a custom dog house built. We don't have anywhere to put that but if we did we may do it.
33. Buy a dog gate to keep the dog out of hazardous areas of the house. I have no hazardous areas and he jumps over dog gates. Next.
34. Dog proof your pool. I wish I had this problem.
35. Buy a canine first aid kit and put in car. We have a dog first aid book and I've put together a doggy first aid kit for the car. Then I have it if we're out and also if home.
36. Microchip and ID your dog. He's got both and a Blanket ID. I couldn't get rid of him if I tried.
37. Make sure your dog has all vaccines and regular health exams. Yes, yes, yes. Chopper sees his vet at least once a year for a check up (all sorts of samples are taken) and then when he needs to for something odd - usually involving his ears.
38. Wear a t-shirt with a dog on it. My mom bought me a coonhound t-shirt the first Christmas I had Chopper. I wear it to bed.
39. Switch to filtered water. We're a tap water family.
40. Teach your children not to pull on a dog's tail or ears. I don't have children but I wish other people would do this. Chopper's tail apparently calls out to children. He's been chased through a Pottery Barn by an infant trying to snatch it.
41. Pledge to walk your dog everyday for proper health and behavior management. I don't understand people who don't walk their dog. You shouldn't have got a dog then.
42. Teach your dog some obedience skills. Check, check, check. Chopper is over educated.
43. Take your dog to an elderly community to spread some love. Good idea if your dog would cooperate. Chopper doesn't seem to like the "elderly."
44. Buy your little dog doggie steps so he can cuddle in bed with you. No little dog, no cuddling in bed. Chopper sleeps on the floor on a dog bed.
45. Buy your dog a designer crate. We've taken down our crate but my mom had sewn a cover for it when it was up. Loved it.
46. Choose pet friendly fabrics. Fabrics came first then the dog - I am looking at new furniture and taking this into consideration but not as much so because he's not a puppy anymore.
47. Install a fence so your dog can run around. Another problem I wish I had.
48. Don't chain your dog up outside, let him live inside. Chopper is an inside dog.
49. Carpet stairs to reduce risk of slipping. We don't have stairs but never thought of this before.
50. Pledge to never hit or yell at your dog, be patient and give lots of praise. This is a biggy in our house. Chopper initially reacted a lot when you would tell him just "no" as a puppy - he was probably abused as a young puppy - and I've worked hard with him to try and get over all of this but when he does have a bad day he is separated from everyone else for a period of time. He has even learned to separate himself if he doesn't want attention.
Well I think we are pretty good and there are a few things we will have to try and be better about. I don't think Chopper has much to complain about though.
1. Adopt a dog from your local shelter. Check - that's how I got into this mess.
2. Be prepared for a new dog by buying a book about new dogs. I did this before I got a dog - I got Dogs for Dummies or some such thing - if I was recommending a book for new dog owners though I would probably recommend a book by Tamar Gellar and then Marley & Me or some other book where the dog is a disaster. Just to be prepared.
3. Donate blankets, food and toys to a local shelter. We've done this before but need to do it again. I have a box full of toys that Chopper never used that could go to a good home.,
4. Organize a peaceful demonstration in front of a store that sells puppies. If Chopper showed up there would be nothing peaceful about a demonstration.
5. Write your Congressman to ask them to support a ban on puppy mills. Here's a link that will help you find out who your representative in Congress is for this and other good causes.
6. Assist an ill or elderly neighbor by walking their dog.
7. Have a National Dog Day party and invite your friends and their dogs. I like throwing parties but I think some of the other suggestions might be better. Plus Chopper already had a birthday party - I don't want him to be a party animal.
8. Join an online dog community.
9. Host a National Dog Day event/fundraiser.
10. Have a Witty Wocks made to look like your pet. I had no idea what this meant but it is apparently a rock painted like your pet. I will admit to having artwork with Chopper and wanting more but I don't think this is up our alley.
11. Have a portrait painted of your dog. This is on my list of things I want but I can't make up my mind about the style I want and they are pretty expensive - so it goes on the wish list.
12. Buy your dog a fun new dog toy. It just so happens that a Nina Ottosson dog puzzle is on its way to our house now. We already have two. I love these things.
13. Take your dog to a doggy play resort. I don't' know what this means either but Chopper goes to the Zoom Room for agility, scent discrimination, etc., so I think he's covered on this one.
14. There was no #14. Why? Is this a bad doggy luck number.
15. Brush your dog. We do this a few times a week. Since starting Chopper on fish oil though hardly any fur comes off anymore.
16. Give your dog a massage. I have read a little about the T-touch method and Chopper does enjoy a good rub down now and then.
17. Get your dog some leash training lessons. We are good on this (with the exception of garbage day). Next.
18. Buy your dog a new collar, leash or outfit. Hmm. I don't think he needs another collar but I think there is a brand new one in the cabinet so I can fake it.
19. Purchase a carrier for your dog. I bought a CR-V instead of a Mini Cooper - he's good.
20. Take your dog to the beach. Chopper's favorite place ever - we are frequent visitors.
21. Purchase natural cleaners. I will admit that I have not investigated this in any way. Something else to worry about.
22. Dog proof your home. This isn't an issue anymore but Chopper was a cord chewer, blind puller, book eating puppy mess so I was pretty adamant about things back then. Now he just seems to sleep and eat when I'm not home.
23. Buy your dog an accessory. We'll pass.
24. Install a care safety harness. Chopper rides in the cargo area and I've recently started clipping him in with a tie down to a hook in the car to prevent him from running away in a car accident.
25. Switch to a holistic brand of dog food. As I've shared before Chopper is on organic grain-free food that I really like.
26. Hire a pet photographer. Also on the top of my doggy wish list.
27. Pamper your dog by purchasing him a luxury item. Not sure what that means - Chopper would prefer a salami though.
28. Buy your dog a new bed. Yeah we don't need a fifth bed.
29. Take your dog on a pet friendly vacation. I think this requires further investigation. Chopper has traveled to San Francisco and Pennsylvania before so he has some experience in this area.
30. Buy matching t-shirts. We did this on Election Day 2008 - once is enough.
31. Create your dog a profile. Apparently a huge % of dogs have facebook pages.
32. Have a custom dog house built. We don't have anywhere to put that but if we did we may do it.
33. Buy a dog gate to keep the dog out of hazardous areas of the house. I have no hazardous areas and he jumps over dog gates. Next.
34. Dog proof your pool. I wish I had this problem.
35. Buy a canine first aid kit and put in car. We have a dog first aid book and I've put together a doggy first aid kit for the car. Then I have it if we're out and also if home.
36. Microchip and ID your dog. He's got both and a Blanket ID. I couldn't get rid of him if I tried.
37. Make sure your dog has all vaccines and regular health exams. Yes, yes, yes. Chopper sees his vet at least once a year for a check up (all sorts of samples are taken) and then when he needs to for something odd - usually involving his ears.
38. Wear a t-shirt with a dog on it. My mom bought me a coonhound t-shirt the first Christmas I had Chopper. I wear it to bed.
39. Switch to filtered water. We're a tap water family.
40. Teach your children not to pull on a dog's tail or ears. I don't have children but I wish other people would do this. Chopper's tail apparently calls out to children. He's been chased through a Pottery Barn by an infant trying to snatch it.
41. Pledge to walk your dog everyday for proper health and behavior management. I don't understand people who don't walk their dog. You shouldn't have got a dog then.
42. Teach your dog some obedience skills. Check, check, check. Chopper is over educated.
43. Take your dog to an elderly community to spread some love. Good idea if your dog would cooperate. Chopper doesn't seem to like the "elderly."
44. Buy your little dog doggie steps so he can cuddle in bed with you. No little dog, no cuddling in bed. Chopper sleeps on the floor on a dog bed.
45. Buy your dog a designer crate. We've taken down our crate but my mom had sewn a cover for it when it was up. Loved it.
46. Choose pet friendly fabrics. Fabrics came first then the dog - I am looking at new furniture and taking this into consideration but not as much so because he's not a puppy anymore.
47. Install a fence so your dog can run around. Another problem I wish I had.
48. Don't chain your dog up outside, let him live inside. Chopper is an inside dog.
49. Carpet stairs to reduce risk of slipping. We don't have stairs but never thought of this before.
50. Pledge to never hit or yell at your dog, be patient and give lots of praise. This is a biggy in our house. Chopper initially reacted a lot when you would tell him just "no" as a puppy - he was probably abused as a young puppy - and I've worked hard with him to try and get over all of this but when he does have a bad day he is separated from everyone else for a period of time. He has even learned to separate himself if he doesn't want attention.
Well I think we are pretty good and there are a few things we will have to try and be better about. I don't think Chopper has much to complain about though.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Garbage Day
Every Tuesday I wake up with a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. It usually takes me a minute to realize why but then I hear the beeping and the slamming of garbage cans outside and I know: It's Garbage Day.
Personally I could care less - I have little trouble falling back asleep if something wakes me up and I enjoy that their is someone willing to take away all the garbage. But Chopper couldn't care more. I think the dog must have been a garbage can in a previous life or was put in a garbage truck as a young puppy. I have no idea. But ever since he came to live with me he has hated garbage trucks.
In the beginning I didn't really notice as he barked at everything that went by - garbage trucks, joggers, joggers with dogs, kids running, the UPS truck, the FedEx truck, buses - you name it he hated it. Since we live on a busy street there was almost always an opportunity to bark at something (for the amount of people that don't use public transportation in LA there a TON of buses.)
As I started to train him and he started to calm down this behavior was almost entirely extinguished. With one little exception - garbage trucks. My initial reaction was to avoid it altogether. I would take him to the dog park and then later to walk on the beach - every Tuesday morning. (I don't even want to mention what would happen if I dared to make an appointment for him to get groomed on a Tuesday.) About eighteen months ago I decided that this was ridiculous and we would have to deal with this issue.
Let me back up a second here because I'm sure by now we are thinking - so the dog barks - big deal. There is, however, not really a term for what Chopper does on garbage day but I will try and describe it. First, he hears the trucks before we even get up for the morning. He then will immediately go to the living room and get on the couch so he can monitor there whereabouts. There is usually at least one barking fit that takes place during this time period. Then once we go outside he is panting and pulling and looking for those garbage trucks. It's actually more like he is hunting. I am not sure if this dog would actually be able to tree a raccoon (what he's bred to do) but if there was a competition for tracking down a garbage truck he would be the winner. I can hear the garbage trucks when they are blocks away and they also echo off the canyons so I can only imagine what those ears of his can hear.
Then when he sees one coming he will stop and stare. The stop and stare can only be compared to that moment when a baby or child is all red and their face is scrunched up and they are taking an big intake of air so they can then let out a huge ear-piercing wail an instant later. Chopper is obviously conserving his energy for his version of a wail. Once the truck is within close proximity the show really starts. He barks his head off and jumps around from side to side. Anyone within six feet of him (the length of his leash) is in danger of getting knocked down as he flailing about. When the truck stops to pick up a garbage can this little scenario increases tenfold.
And this is why we went to the beach.
My major issue with this scenario was that I thought he could hurt me (since no one else was stupid enough to get close to him when this was happening) or his leash or collar malfunctioned and he actually got to the garbage truck. (If Chopper survived that particular confrontation I could only imagine the reaction to garbage trucks in the future.) So I decided to get serious about his garbage day training.
I gathered the necessary tools. First, got myself a treat bag that went around my waist and could stay open for easy access to treats. I couldn't get to treats fast enough if they were in my pocket. Second, Chopper had to wear his Gentle Leader - no questions about it (he hates his Gentle Leader, he has a whole face rub dance he does that drives me batty.) I couldn't control him very well with just a flat collar and he doesn't care about a choke chain or pinch collar (not to mention that to associate pain with this scenario would not work for him). The final piece of the puzzle - better treats. Chopper gets good treats to start with but we needed something better. I started buying red meat on Monday nights and grilling or browning it up for him.
Then as we would walk and we would hear the trucks I would make Chopper sit and he would get these little bits of red meat. Granted it wasn't that easy. Often times to get him to sit I would have to pull up on his Gentle Leader and repeat the command over and over again. Then I could not pause in giving him the treats - one hesitation and he would be jumping around. The garbage men started to notice and one even helped us out for a bit and would throw him treats from the truck. Over time I was able to increase the amount of time between the treats. Then we downgraded to hot dogs and regular dog treats.
In the last few weeks I have added another trick to my arsenal. In order to avoid the stalking behavior I give Chopper something else to do. I will throw a piece of kibble and tell him to go get it. This keeps him distracted from just listening for the garbage trucks and he's looking at me more to wait for the kibble. This seems to be the last piece of the puzzle as he has been doing exceptionally well the last few weeks. (I also think the conditioning in his Obedience Two class helped.) We had three weeks in a row with no outbursts (if we encounter the truck early in the walk he has more trouble). Sometimes I keep walking after the truck passes and sometimes we follow behind it and he gets treats for walking nicely.
This has been a long process - primarily because the garbage collection is only once a week - the whole neighborhood is the same day so we don't have that many opportunities to practice. And I can't control the garbage trucks. I can't make them stop next to us when he's calm or go down another street if he's having a bad day.
But he's getting better (slowly but surely). I do hope that one day he will be able to walk by garbage truck like all the other dogs in my neighborhood (with the exception of one feisty border collie) and not even notice it. Until then I will be ready with yummy treats.
Personally I could care less - I have little trouble falling back asleep if something wakes me up and I enjoy that their is someone willing to take away all the garbage. But Chopper couldn't care more. I think the dog must have been a garbage can in a previous life or was put in a garbage truck as a young puppy. I have no idea. But ever since he came to live with me he has hated garbage trucks.
In the beginning I didn't really notice as he barked at everything that went by - garbage trucks, joggers, joggers with dogs, kids running, the UPS truck, the FedEx truck, buses - you name it he hated it. Since we live on a busy street there was almost always an opportunity to bark at something (for the amount of people that don't use public transportation in LA there a TON of buses.)
As I started to train him and he started to calm down this behavior was almost entirely extinguished. With one little exception - garbage trucks. My initial reaction was to avoid it altogether. I would take him to the dog park and then later to walk on the beach - every Tuesday morning. (I don't even want to mention what would happen if I dared to make an appointment for him to get groomed on a Tuesday.) About eighteen months ago I decided that this was ridiculous and we would have to deal with this issue.
Let me back up a second here because I'm sure by now we are thinking - so the dog barks - big deal. There is, however, not really a term for what Chopper does on garbage day but I will try and describe it. First, he hears the trucks before we even get up for the morning. He then will immediately go to the living room and get on the couch so he can monitor there whereabouts. There is usually at least one barking fit that takes place during this time period. Then once we go outside he is panting and pulling and looking for those garbage trucks. It's actually more like he is hunting. I am not sure if this dog would actually be able to tree a raccoon (what he's bred to do) but if there was a competition for tracking down a garbage truck he would be the winner. I can hear the garbage trucks when they are blocks away and they also echo off the canyons so I can only imagine what those ears of his can hear.
Then when he sees one coming he will stop and stare. The stop and stare can only be compared to that moment when a baby or child is all red and their face is scrunched up and they are taking an big intake of air so they can then let out a huge ear-piercing wail an instant later. Chopper is obviously conserving his energy for his version of a wail. Once the truck is within close proximity the show really starts. He barks his head off and jumps around from side to side. Anyone within six feet of him (the length of his leash) is in danger of getting knocked down as he flailing about. When the truck stops to pick up a garbage can this little scenario increases tenfold.
And this is why we went to the beach.
My major issue with this scenario was that I thought he could hurt me (since no one else was stupid enough to get close to him when this was happening) or his leash or collar malfunctioned and he actually got to the garbage truck. (If Chopper survived that particular confrontation I could only imagine the reaction to garbage trucks in the future.) So I decided to get serious about his garbage day training.
I gathered the necessary tools. First, got myself a treat bag that went around my waist and could stay open for easy access to treats. I couldn't get to treats fast enough if they were in my pocket. Second, Chopper had to wear his Gentle Leader - no questions about it (he hates his Gentle Leader, he has a whole face rub dance he does that drives me batty.) I couldn't control him very well with just a flat collar and he doesn't care about a choke chain or pinch collar (not to mention that to associate pain with this scenario would not work for him). The final piece of the puzzle - better treats. Chopper gets good treats to start with but we needed something better. I started buying red meat on Monday nights and grilling or browning it up for him.
Then as we would walk and we would hear the trucks I would make Chopper sit and he would get these little bits of red meat. Granted it wasn't that easy. Often times to get him to sit I would have to pull up on his Gentle Leader and repeat the command over and over again. Then I could not pause in giving him the treats - one hesitation and he would be jumping around. The garbage men started to notice and one even helped us out for a bit and would throw him treats from the truck. Over time I was able to increase the amount of time between the treats. Then we downgraded to hot dogs and regular dog treats.
In the last few weeks I have added another trick to my arsenal. In order to avoid the stalking behavior I give Chopper something else to do. I will throw a piece of kibble and tell him to go get it. This keeps him distracted from just listening for the garbage trucks and he's looking at me more to wait for the kibble. This seems to be the last piece of the puzzle as he has been doing exceptionally well the last few weeks. (I also think the conditioning in his Obedience Two class helped.) We had three weeks in a row with no outbursts (if we encounter the truck early in the walk he has more trouble). Sometimes I keep walking after the truck passes and sometimes we follow behind it and he gets treats for walking nicely.
This has been a long process - primarily because the garbage collection is only once a week - the whole neighborhood is the same day so we don't have that many opportunities to practice. And I can't control the garbage trucks. I can't make them stop next to us when he's calm or go down another street if he's having a bad day.
But he's getting better (slowly but surely). I do hope that one day he will be able to walk by garbage truck like all the other dogs in my neighborhood (with the exception of one feisty border collie) and not even notice it. Until then I will be ready with yummy treats.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Agility III - Week Four
Well we are more than halfway through Agility III (for the third time) and Chopper is making some wonderful progress. Half the battle with him is always getting him to not bark at the dog he has decided he hates in every class for the entire class. This time he knew all but two of the dogs - one doesn't pay any attention to him, which is what he prefers, and the other is a giant puppy that wants to be his friend. Chopper does not want to be that poor dog's friend.
After Week 2 was spent with that dog running over and Chopper barking at it and then all the dogs barking - I decided to take Chopper for a nice walk before class. Sure he would be tired and maybe not run as fast (but speed isn't' really his thing to start with) but maybe he wouldn't be the problem child in class. The other dog went for a walk first too - so everyone was a bit calmer.
Last night was even better (we went for a walk and the dog food store). Chopper went through all his runs almost perfectly (but with some lazy jumps) and waited for his turn very nicely (albeit while eating a treat every three seconds). The other dog appeared exhausted so she stayed in her own area. All in all we had a good class.
I think Chopper is ready to go back to Agility League - he could be a contender if he would just go a bit faster. The stopping and scratching or running to the water bowl doesn't seem to happen anymore (now that I said that he will inevitably do both next week) so his time may improve just by not taking breaks. Either way he enjoyed it but I get a little competitive and wanted him to be a little faster. Chopper is whatever the opposite of competitive is and some of his medicines that help him be calm also make him slower. So looks like we are going to be slower.
After Week 2 was spent with that dog running over and Chopper barking at it and then all the dogs barking - I decided to take Chopper for a nice walk before class. Sure he would be tired and maybe not run as fast (but speed isn't' really his thing to start with) but maybe he wouldn't be the problem child in class. The other dog went for a walk first too - so everyone was a bit calmer.
Last night was even better (we went for a walk and the dog food store). Chopper went through all his runs almost perfectly (but with some lazy jumps) and waited for his turn very nicely (albeit while eating a treat every three seconds). The other dog appeared exhausted so she stayed in her own area. All in all we had a good class.
I think Chopper is ready to go back to Agility League - he could be a contender if he would just go a bit faster. The stopping and scratching or running to the water bowl doesn't seem to happen anymore (now that I said that he will inevitably do both next week) so his time may improve just by not taking breaks. Either way he enjoyed it but I get a little competitive and wanted him to be a little faster. Chopper is whatever the opposite of competitive is and some of his medicines that help him be calm also make him slower. So looks like we are going to be slower.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Chopper is a Good Citizen!
Chopper and I have been MIA for awhile over the last few weeks. First, Chopper's Grandpa was visiting from Pennsylvania so I took some much needed vacation time to hang out with my two favorite guys. I took them to the beach (they both love the beach) and took my dad fishing (Chopper stayed home for that one) and a host of other fun stuff.
We've also been practicing all of our skills from our Obedience 2 Class at the Zoom Room. Classes Four and Five were pretty much the same as the first three classes but all the dogs started to slowly improve. Chopper's main area of concern was the groom/vet check. We worked on it slowly with giving paw and leaving it at that. At the start of class Chopper was not so good with the down stay. He would stay while you walked away but as soon as I turned around he would come to me without being called. We practiced on our walk everyday and now he's an old pro.
Anyway last night was Class Six - the day the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test was being given. We had already signed up to take the class a second time as I didn't think six weeks was going to be enough time for the Chopper to be conditioned for all the distraction tasks and the body check. I actually forgot yesterday that we even had class until about an hour before (we made it in time). I was a little bummed on the way over because I thought everyone would pass except for Chopper even though I had already decided we would need extra time. But then I thought - let's see if he can do this - if not we'll try again.
I kept Chopper away from all the other dogs before we went in to prevent any pre-testing jitters and then we took a quick walk with Mumble and Carrie when they got there. Before we went in I turned to my dog and told him: "If I can pass the bar you can pass this test."
Well that seemed to the trick - that and the fact that all the other dogs seemed to be on their best behavior. The barking puppy didn't bark quite as much (and was as far away from us as possible) and all the other dogs were angels. Also the people who had moved around and clicked away for five weeks all stood quietly next to their dogs. The Zoom Room has never been so quiet before.
The test started with the examiner coming around and shaking hands and then coming around and petting. Chopper thought he had treats so tried to follow him when he left. We then did the body check. Chopper got his paws and teeth checked and acted like it was no big deal - that's when I first thought that maybe we had a shot at this.
Next it was time for the walking. Chopper is an excellent walker in real life (with the exception of garbage day) so this has been frustrating for me as he has not always been great at walking in a circle with the other dogs. So we did the parade once with the dogs on the outside and once on the inside - no problems (I was constantly telling Chopper to look forward and heel). Now I was thinking that we were going home with that certificate.
After that there were even more distractions but not quite like we had practiced (e.g., dropping a box, the tennis balls flying around, noisy toys) - no this time each dog took a turn walking down the middle of the room and the dog walking had to be good and the dogs waiting had to be good. I spent a lot of time talking to Chopper and telling him he was a good boy. When he seemed to be even just a slightly bit interested in turning around to see what was behind him I would tell him it was just Mumble and to look at me. Yes I lied to my dog but did I mention that there were NO TREATS allowed during the test. This dog will do anything for treats - if you don't have treats though you're on your own. So I would do it again.
Then it was time for the separation part of the test. Chopper knows the trainer so this has been going well - the first few weeks he was given treats but since then he's just been waiting nicely. (Some weeks he would pull when I first got back in the room to get to me with that big goofy grin on his face.) Chopper has improved a lot over the years in this skill in real-life situations. He will now go willingly with someone when being boarded and because we use the same groomer he goes with them as well (he doesn't like being groomed so there is some "screaming" that happens once in awhile in that situation). Even at the vet's office he will go with someone as soon as they take the leash.
So here are the ten tasks as listed by the AKC:
1) Accepting a friendly stranger
2) Sitting politely for petting
3) Appearance and Grooming
4) Out for a Walk
5) Walking Through a Crowd
6) Sit and Down on Command/Stay in Place
7) Coming When Called
8) Reaction to Another Dogs
9) Reaction to Distractions
10) Supervised Separation
And Mr. Chopper passed all of them!!! Five minutes after it was over he did bark at the dog who was there just to take the test and hadn't been in the class but we were off the clock and that's just Chopper.
So now we get to mail our form in and get an official Certificate!
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| Mumble and Chopper right after they passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test |
Friday, June 10, 2011
Obedience Two at the Zoom Room: Class Three
Well I wasn't too keen on going to class this week because my buddy Mumble was sick and had to stay home. But then my mom broke out the turkey hot dogs, which we haven't had in months so I mustered some energy and went to class (after Mumble came over to say hi so I could make sure he was really ok).
This week we did almost all the tasks on the CGC test. First, our instructor went around and shook all the dog parents' hands. I passed that one.
Then there was the vet inspection - as usual I was not to excited about this one. I let the instructor get one look in my ear but then I was done. All the other dogs think this is fun but I'm sure because I'm so much older than all of them that I know better. My mom does not think so and says I need to get over this and she's going to keep trying until I do. We'll see about that.
Next we practiced some distractions. Our instructor threw a tennis ball about a million times down the center of the room. He would tell the parents when to give us a treat but my mom decided to try without a treat - since that is the way you have to do it during the test - and guess what? I could have cared less about that ball. I just watched my mom every time - some times she would tell me good job and rub my head but mostly she ignored me and I ignored that ball. Next came the noisy baby toy. My ears went way back when that came out and my mom took out the turkey hot dogs again so I didn't bark.
Then we had to do the down/stay and I passed like an old pro. Then the separation and this time the instructor didn't have to give me treats (but I was very happy when my mom came back in - I ran to her - it was very cute I'm told).
Then the walking. My mom is not happy with me about this part. See she knew the vet inspection was going to be rough since I don't like the vet but she thought this was going to be a breeze because I walk great in my neighborhood on a loose leash or in a heel. And I do well in crowds. (Have you ever walked through the security line and the entrance plaza at Disneyland? Well I do all the time and I don't even care about the monorails - anymore.) But I do not like doing this activity in class. Sometimes I like to try and go up on the agility equipment (I miss that class), sometimes I like to sniff all the mom's purses (if they aren't using the lockers they must want me to smell them) and sometimes I just don't want some dog I don't know walking behind me.
The solution? My mom made me walk in a heel during our whole morning walk today. I'm thinking I maybe should get my act together on this one.
This week we did almost all the tasks on the CGC test. First, our instructor went around and shook all the dog parents' hands. I passed that one.
Then there was the vet inspection - as usual I was not to excited about this one. I let the instructor get one look in my ear but then I was done. All the other dogs think this is fun but I'm sure because I'm so much older than all of them that I know better. My mom does not think so and says I need to get over this and she's going to keep trying until I do. We'll see about that.
Next we practiced some distractions. Our instructor threw a tennis ball about a million times down the center of the room. He would tell the parents when to give us a treat but my mom decided to try without a treat - since that is the way you have to do it during the test - and guess what? I could have cared less about that ball. I just watched my mom every time - some times she would tell me good job and rub my head but mostly she ignored me and I ignored that ball. Next came the noisy baby toy. My ears went way back when that came out and my mom took out the turkey hot dogs again so I didn't bark.
Then we had to do the down/stay and I passed like an old pro. Then the separation and this time the instructor didn't have to give me treats (but I was very happy when my mom came back in - I ran to her - it was very cute I'm told).
Then the walking. My mom is not happy with me about this part. See she knew the vet inspection was going to be rough since I don't like the vet but she thought this was going to be a breeze because I walk great in my neighborhood on a loose leash or in a heel. And I do well in crowds. (Have you ever walked through the security line and the entrance plaza at Disneyland? Well I do all the time and I don't even care about the monorails - anymore.) But I do not like doing this activity in class. Sometimes I like to try and go up on the agility equipment (I miss that class), sometimes I like to sniff all the mom's purses (if they aren't using the lockers they must want me to smell them) and sometimes I just don't want some dog I don't know walking behind me.
The solution? My mom made me walk in a heel during our whole morning walk today. I'm thinking I maybe should get my act together on this one.
Friday, June 3, 2011
This is Not Underwear
I have mentioned before that I'm a big car barker in the car. My mom got me some music which helped a lot but I still like to bark at things. My vet recommended the Thunder Shirt (because we already had one) to see if that would keep me calmer in the car as it has helped with visitors and thunder. That didnt' help too much in the car though. She said if that didn't work to try the Calming Cap. So a few weeks ago my mom ordered me this contraption and when it arrived a few days ago she decided to give it a try.
This is what the website says about it:
The directions on how to get the thing on were a little hard to understand but once she figured out how it was supposed to attach to my collar in two places we got it on. I wasn't so sure about this thing but I kept getting chicken (one of my favorite) treats so I put up with it.
We tried it at home a bit and my mom made me walk around and I was able to find my food bowl and my treats. Next came the big test though - wearing it in the car.
My mom got me in the car (with my cap on) to go to class. We passed bicylists, trucks, people walking - all the stuff I usually love to bark at and nothing. While at a stop sign my mom got a quick picture of me with the cap on.
This picture caused a lot of ruckus with my mom's friends the other day. One asked if there was a calming cap for lawyers, several thought I was wearing underwear on my head and one thought I was so anxious in the car because my mom was taking pictures instead of driving (we were at a stop light).
So far so good but we'll have to see if I use my spidey sense of hearing (notice those long ears) to determine when there is a bike or big truck nearby and still bark. My mom is hoping this will retrain me to ride in the car without being agitated at everything and then I won't have to wear the underwear - I mean calming cap - all the time. We shall see.
This is what the website says about it:
The directions on how to get the thing on were a little hard to understand but once she figured out how it was supposed to attach to my collar in two places we got it on. I wasn't so sure about this thing but I kept getting chicken (one of my favorite) treats so I put up with it.
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| Just chillin at home with my Calming Cap |
My mom got me in the car (with my cap on) to go to class. We passed bicylists, trucks, people walking - all the stuff I usually love to bark at and nothing. While at a stop sign my mom got a quick picture of me with the cap on.
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| Me not barking at anything in the car. |
So far so good but we'll have to see if I use my spidey sense of hearing (notice those long ears) to determine when there is a bike or big truck nearby and still bark. My mom is hoping this will retrain me to ride in the car without being agitated at everything and then I won't have to wear the underwear - I mean calming cap - all the time. We shall see.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Obedience Two at the Zoom Room: Class Two
Last night we had our second obedience two class. Boy we had to work hard! First we all practiced our stays again with just our moms or dads. I get bored during this part of class and was trying to drink water (I like being next to the water bowl) and was barking at this puppy next to me (he kept barking at his mom so I would bark back but my mom didn't appreciate the irony of this).
After all that practice then we got to stay for real. All the dogs lined up on one side of the room and then one dog would wait on one side while his person made him wait. When it was my turn I stayed almost the whole ten seconds but when the instructor told my mom to call me I got up and went right before she did (I knew she was going to). So I need to work on that one.
Next we did our loose leash walking. I am really GOOD at this most of the time but on the first go around I wanted to smell all the treats the other people had left behind and then I kept trying to bark at that barking puppy who was behind me and my buddy Mumble thought that was a good idea and he started barking so the instructor had to stop everyone and wait for the three of us to stop barking and calm down. After that I got better (also I showed my mom this morning on our walk that I could do this no problem but she told me to do it in class instead).
Then the instructor decided he would see how we did with distractions and staying. So he pulled out some noisy pull toy and rolled it by all the dogs and we weren't supposed to get up or bark. This didnt' go over well with a lot of dogs - myself included. Imagine some weird noise making thing the size of your head following some guy making all this noise. I barked once but my mom got me to settle down. That toy got put away. Next they brought out a tennis ball and threw that down the center of the room and we were supposed to ignore that too. Being MUCH older than all the dogs (Mumble is the next oldest dog and I'm 2 1/2 years older than him) a lot of the dogs wanted to chase that ball but I just watched it roll away. We did this a bunch of times and some of those puppies kept trying to get that ball and I just kept laying there - taking a nap.
Then we had to be separated from our parents in pairs. The instructor and his lovely assistant went down the line and would take a dog and their person would go outside and wait a few minutes. The dog is supposed to be nice and quiet. Well Mumble and I were the last ones to go. The regular instructor took me and my mom slipped out the door (I didn't even know she had left because the instructor had some yummy treats). Mumble was not so willing to take part in this activity. You see the lovely assistant is new and Mumble didn't know her and Mumble thinks he is in charge at the Zoom Room since he has gone there since he was a puppy so there was a lot of ruckus before he would let his mom leave. (They thought I was going to be the problem as I don't always like someone taking me from my mom at the groomers or at the vet.)
That was about it - we'll have to see what happens next week.
After all that practice then we got to stay for real. All the dogs lined up on one side of the room and then one dog would wait on one side while his person made him wait. When it was my turn I stayed almost the whole ten seconds but when the instructor told my mom to call me I got up and went right before she did (I knew she was going to). So I need to work on that one.
Next we did our loose leash walking. I am really GOOD at this most of the time but on the first go around I wanted to smell all the treats the other people had left behind and then I kept trying to bark at that barking puppy who was behind me and my buddy Mumble thought that was a good idea and he started barking so the instructor had to stop everyone and wait for the three of us to stop barking and calm down. After that I got better (also I showed my mom this morning on our walk that I could do this no problem but she told me to do it in class instead).
Then the instructor decided he would see how we did with distractions and staying. So he pulled out some noisy pull toy and rolled it by all the dogs and we weren't supposed to get up or bark. This didnt' go over well with a lot of dogs - myself included. Imagine some weird noise making thing the size of your head following some guy making all this noise. I barked once but my mom got me to settle down. That toy got put away. Next they brought out a tennis ball and threw that down the center of the room and we were supposed to ignore that too. Being MUCH older than all the dogs (Mumble is the next oldest dog and I'm 2 1/2 years older than him) a lot of the dogs wanted to chase that ball but I just watched it roll away. We did this a bunch of times and some of those puppies kept trying to get that ball and I just kept laying there - taking a nap.
Then we had to be separated from our parents in pairs. The instructor and his lovely assistant went down the line and would take a dog and their person would go outside and wait a few minutes. The dog is supposed to be nice and quiet. Well Mumble and I were the last ones to go. The regular instructor took me and my mom slipped out the door (I didn't even know she had left because the instructor had some yummy treats). Mumble was not so willing to take part in this activity. You see the lovely assistant is new and Mumble didn't know her and Mumble thinks he is in charge at the Zoom Room since he has gone there since he was a puppy so there was a lot of ruckus before he would let his mom leave. (They thought I was going to be the problem as I don't always like someone taking me from my mom at the groomers or at the vet.)
That was about it - we'll have to see what happens next week.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Obedience Two at the Zoom Room: First Class
So I have started yet another class at the Zoom Room. Last week was the first class of Obedience 2 and I signed up to take it with my buddy Mumble. My mom thought there would only be six dogs (because that was the number of dogs in all my other classes) but turns out in obedience classes there can be ten dogs!! And it was full in due in part to a Groupon. I need my space so we weren't so sure this was going to work for us but we decided to give the first class a try anyway.
The idea is that at the end of the class you take the Canine Good Citizen Test. There are lots of things you have to perfect - staying for ten second at ten feet away, leaving a treat, walking through a crowd and letting the examiner touch your paws, your teeth and your mouth to simulate a vet examination. Since I have been taking classes almost my whole life and my mom makes me practice these things all the time I was not worried about most of it EXCEPT for the examination. I don't really like to be touched by strangers but I will tolerate it but I REALLY don't like going to the vet so looking in my ears and examining my mouth are not high on my list of fun things to do. (I had a nasty ear infection last year and I didn't even like my mom touching my ear for months.) So my mom decided I would probably take this class two times before I took the test so that I could have more time to get used to someone touch my ears and teeth.
Anyway during the first class we practiced our stay and leaving a treat and walking on a loose leash. I sometimes have a problem with stay (I want to run to my mommy) but my mom has been using the clicker this week to help remind me that I do need to stay until she calls me (and then I get lots of hugs and treats) so I have been cooperating. The leash bit is really no problem (except that when we walked around the Zoom Room I was trying to check out all the treats that people had left behind - I can't help it that I get hungry a lot).
Tomorrow is our second class so I am excited for what we do next - but I think it is being separated from our people for a few minutes (I am sometimes okay with this but other times not so much - usually at the groomers or at the vets so we'll see how it goes).
The idea is that at the end of the class you take the Canine Good Citizen Test. There are lots of things you have to perfect - staying for ten second at ten feet away, leaving a treat, walking through a crowd and letting the examiner touch your paws, your teeth and your mouth to simulate a vet examination. Since I have been taking classes almost my whole life and my mom makes me practice these things all the time I was not worried about most of it EXCEPT for the examination. I don't really like to be touched by strangers but I will tolerate it but I REALLY don't like going to the vet so looking in my ears and examining my mouth are not high on my list of fun things to do. (I had a nasty ear infection last year and I didn't even like my mom touching my ear for months.) So my mom decided I would probably take this class two times before I took the test so that I could have more time to get used to someone touch my ears and teeth.
Anyway during the first class we practiced our stay and leaving a treat and walking on a loose leash. I sometimes have a problem with stay (I want to run to my mommy) but my mom has been using the clicker this week to help remind me that I do need to stay until she calls me (and then I get lots of hugs and treats) so I have been cooperating. The leash bit is really no problem (except that when we walked around the Zoom Room I was trying to check out all the treats that people had left behind - I can't help it that I get hungry a lot).
Tomorrow is our second class so I am excited for what we do next - but I think it is being separated from our people for a few minutes (I am sometimes okay with this but other times not so much - usually at the groomers or at the vets so we'll see how it goes).
Thursday, May 5, 2011
New Class at the Zoom Room
So my mom signed me up for a class at the Zoom Room - it is just Obedience II this time (not as much fun as the Scent Class) but I just love going to the Zoom Room so I don't care. My mom thinks I need to brush up on my obedience skills and she wants to do the class just on my flat collar (instead of using my Gentle Leader which I HATE) so that we can take more of our walks without it - so I'm willing to participate if it means we can fade out the Gentle Leader.
I promise to report on my class once it starts - the first day of class is May 25th.
I promise to report on my class once it starts - the first day of class is May 25th.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Scent Practice
So yesterday my mom got home early to let the plumber in and since it was still daylight when he left she took me outside to practice sniffing - I mean "scent discrimination." I'm taking a class at the Zoom Room and my mom decided that we needed to practice at home as well. (Now I don't think I need to practice because I'm the only hound dog in class but I still LOVE to practice.) So my mom cut up some hot dogs and we went out where the Chopper-Mobile is parked (that's what I call my mom's CR-V) to practice.
She would put my leash on a pole and then put stuff in the boxes we got at the Zoom Room and then come and get me to "find it." Now we had some problems. First, the boxes came unfolded and my mom had to put them together. Well she kind of screwed up figuring out the first one and it wouldn't stay closed. She used it as the "decoy" box but it was not very effective when it kept popping open. So then we didn't have a decoy box until she kind of just smashed it together. Second, my mom did not set up my crate (even though it was in the Chopper-Mobile) and instead just put my leash over a pole, which meant as soon as she put those boxes down I thought it was time to do my stuff. That is until the pole pulled back (I never liked those poles, sometimes she puts my leash on one to brush me and I have not figured out a way to get away from her when she does that). Other than that it was fun fun fun.
My mom tried to fool me by putting the boxes near garbage cans and around corners but I found them every time and gave her the proper alert, which is sitting next to the box (and only had to be reminded to sit a few times). And I NEVER sat at the decoy box. Also I sniffed a lot more than I do at class - I think my mom didn't put as much of the smelly stuff in the box so it was a little harder and I had to use my nose more - I'm not really sure.
After that I was too tired to eat dinner right away and had to go take a nap inside - all that sniffing can sure wear a dog out.
She would put my leash on a pole and then put stuff in the boxes we got at the Zoom Room and then come and get me to "find it." Now we had some problems. First, the boxes came unfolded and my mom had to put them together. Well she kind of screwed up figuring out the first one and it wouldn't stay closed. She used it as the "decoy" box but it was not very effective when it kept popping open. So then we didn't have a decoy box until she kind of just smashed it together. Second, my mom did not set up my crate (even though it was in the Chopper-Mobile) and instead just put my leash over a pole, which meant as soon as she put those boxes down I thought it was time to do my stuff. That is until the pole pulled back (I never liked those poles, sometimes she puts my leash on one to brush me and I have not figured out a way to get away from her when she does that). Other than that it was fun fun fun.
My mom tried to fool me by putting the boxes near garbage cans and around corners but I found them every time and gave her the proper alert, which is sitting next to the box (and only had to be reminded to sit a few times). And I NEVER sat at the decoy box. Also I sniffed a lot more than I do at class - I think my mom didn't put as much of the smelly stuff in the box so it was a little harder and I had to use my nose more - I'm not really sure.
After that I was too tired to eat dinner right away and had to go take a nap inside - all that sniffing can sure wear a dog out.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Scent Discriminattion Class: Week 4
Well my mom has been busy busy busy. My friend Mumble and his mom stayed at my house a bunch of nights in the last few weeks because my mom was away for work. But we have not missed any of our Scent Classes at the Zoom Room. Weeks 2 & 3 we worked on the same things as Week 1 (and my mom had to sniff some stuff too) but this last week was really challenging.
First we had to sniff the boxes with the treats again and Birch and Anise and then just one scent. We have been learning to alert when we smell the scent. I like to paw at the box or step on in but the trainer says I have to sit - then when I sit he says I don't sniff it enough. I'm a hound dog I don't need to take big whiff like all those girl dogs.
This week he tried to fool us. First he put out two boxes with a scent/treat and then one with nothing. I didn't sit at the box with nothing - so there! Then he put a box with treats but no scent. Again I passed it without sitting (and it had turkey hot dogs in it - my favorite). My mom bought some stuff for us to practice at home with so we'll see how that goes. There is one little dog that is really good - she sniffs for a long time and then sits at the right box - I think the trainer wants me to sniff more but my big hound dog nose can smell it - I swear.
We are having tons of fun and I can't wait to take another class (I've already done Agility classes, Agility League and a Tricks Class). My mom thinks an Advance Obedience class or a Therapy Dog class would be good for me since I need to learn to calm down sometimes.
First we had to sniff the boxes with the treats again and Birch and Anise and then just one scent. We have been learning to alert when we smell the scent. I like to paw at the box or step on in but the trainer says I have to sit - then when I sit he says I don't sniff it enough. I'm a hound dog I don't need to take big whiff like all those girl dogs.
This week he tried to fool us. First he put out two boxes with a scent/treat and then one with nothing. I didn't sit at the box with nothing - so there! Then he put a box with treats but no scent. Again I passed it without sitting (and it had turkey hot dogs in it - my favorite). My mom bought some stuff for us to practice at home with so we'll see how that goes. There is one little dog that is really good - she sniffs for a long time and then sits at the right box - I think the trainer wants me to sniff more but my big hound dog nose can smell it - I swear.
We are having tons of fun and I can't wait to take another class (I've already done Agility classes, Agility League and a Tricks Class). My mom thinks an Advance Obedience class or a Therapy Dog class would be good for me since I need to learn to calm down sometimes.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Scent Discrimination Class: Week 1
Well Chopper is still recovering from all of the brain work he had to do this weekend so I will be reporting on our first week in Scent Discrimination at the Zoom Room in Culver City.
First, the class is made up of all female dogs and Chopper. Two of them are very small and two are more medium sized. Chopper is also the only hound dog and probably the biggest by a good twenty-five pounds or so. There is a 14-year old miniature pinscher, a tiny white dog (who might be our biggest competition as it turns out), and two medium-sized dogs that each bore a striking resemblance to other types of dogs but were the wrong size (and they also happened to have the same name).
I didn't tell Chopper ahead of time that during this class the dogs would be in crates when it wasn't their turn so I wasn't sure how he would fare. Chopper never had a problem being in his crate by his choice or mine if I was home (he was not to be crate-trained however and the one attempt early on resulted in him coming to work with me for a week) and we still use it occasionally but about a year ago I decided that two dog beds and the crate were taking over my house and we put the crate away. But truth be told if there is someone in the house he doesn't know and he's in his crate there is a lot of barking and carrying on. (I spent four hours one Saturday with him in there and three cable guys roaming around the house and it was one of the longest days of my life.) We happened to have his couch blanket in the car so I put that over the crate to help block his view but made the mistake of doing it before he got in the crate - why a mistake you ask - well Chopper has been trained that that blanket means he can get on the couch - so as soon as it was on the crate he jumped right up on top. He was very confused that the crate had not turned into the couch and established himself as the class clown.
So the dogs spent the better part of the class time getting used to the box that the scents would eventually be placed in. I'm not sure how they are going to learn to discriminate these scents but for now they just had to get used to the box. So Chopper's "silver" treat of choice - turkey hot dogs - were loaded up in the box and he was told to "find it" and he did. Now Chopper has been playing "find it" for some time. He is fully capable of waiting in one room while you go in the next and hide a piece of dried chicken until I yell "find it" and he will come barrelling in to, well, find it. I sometimes put the chicken in shoes so I suspect that he can actually discriminate scents. So he thought this was good fun and by the end was ever so softly whining in his crate when it wasn't his turn. Most of the dogs thought it was great except for one very shy dog who was a little freaked out by the box.
Next two of the three scents they will eventually discriminate between were placed on a paper towel and put in the box along with the treats and the dogs had to get the treats again. Now you would think - they are just going to do it again - but not quite. These oils smelled strong to us and if you're a dog and not a person they are that much stronger (and if you're a coonhound and not a regular dog - well you can just imagine). So while the dogs did get the treats they were a little more careful and slow about it, which I did not expect. We didn't purchase the at-home practice kit but I'm sure that will be coming home next week.
All in all it was a fun way to spend a Sunday morning with the Chops - now if I could only remember the people's names in addition to the dog's names.
First, the class is made up of all female dogs and Chopper. Two of them are very small and two are more medium sized. Chopper is also the only hound dog and probably the biggest by a good twenty-five pounds or so. There is a 14-year old miniature pinscher, a tiny white dog (who might be our biggest competition as it turns out), and two medium-sized dogs that each bore a striking resemblance to other types of dogs but were the wrong size (and they also happened to have the same name).
I didn't tell Chopper ahead of time that during this class the dogs would be in crates when it wasn't their turn so I wasn't sure how he would fare. Chopper never had a problem being in his crate by his choice or mine if I was home (he was not to be crate-trained however and the one attempt early on resulted in him coming to work with me for a week) and we still use it occasionally but about a year ago I decided that two dog beds and the crate were taking over my house and we put the crate away. But truth be told if there is someone in the house he doesn't know and he's in his crate there is a lot of barking and carrying on. (I spent four hours one Saturday with him in there and three cable guys roaming around the house and it was one of the longest days of my life.) We happened to have his couch blanket in the car so I put that over the crate to help block his view but made the mistake of doing it before he got in the crate - why a mistake you ask - well Chopper has been trained that that blanket means he can get on the couch - so as soon as it was on the crate he jumped right up on top. He was very confused that the crate had not turned into the couch and established himself as the class clown.
So the dogs spent the better part of the class time getting used to the box that the scents would eventually be placed in. I'm not sure how they are going to learn to discriminate these scents but for now they just had to get used to the box. So Chopper's "silver" treat of choice - turkey hot dogs - were loaded up in the box and he was told to "find it" and he did. Now Chopper has been playing "find it" for some time. He is fully capable of waiting in one room while you go in the next and hide a piece of dried chicken until I yell "find it" and he will come barrelling in to, well, find it. I sometimes put the chicken in shoes so I suspect that he can actually discriminate scents. So he thought this was good fun and by the end was ever so softly whining in his crate when it wasn't his turn. Most of the dogs thought it was great except for one very shy dog who was a little freaked out by the box.
Next two of the three scents they will eventually discriminate between were placed on a paper towel and put in the box along with the treats and the dogs had to get the treats again. Now you would think - they are just going to do it again - but not quite. These oils smelled strong to us and if you're a dog and not a person they are that much stronger (and if you're a coonhound and not a regular dog - well you can just imagine). So while the dogs did get the treats they were a little more careful and slow about it, which I did not expect. We didn't purchase the at-home practice kit but I'm sure that will be coming home next week.
All in all it was a fun way to spend a Sunday morning with the Chops - now if I could only remember the people's names in addition to the dog's names.
Monday, January 10, 2011
New Year's Improvement
Well I am pretty happy with myself so I'm not sure I really need to make a New Year's resolution. I go on walks daily, I eat organic food, and since the Three Dog Bakery closed in Santa Monica I only get desserts on special occasions. But everyone can improve a little (even me) so my mom has signed me up for Scent Discrimination Class.
I'm not sure how this is going to go - I am a coonhound so hopefully that will give me an advantage and I'm really good at finding treats so I'm hoping this won't be too hard. Class starts next Sunday morning (doesn't my mom know I need my beauty sleep?) so I will report back with just exactly is happening there.
The other area I am looking to improve on is how I treat my guests. I have gotten a lot better with having people guests over (I'm not as scared anymore) but I have been a little jealous when my buddies come over. Sometimes they want to take my treats and sleep on my beds and get petted instead of me or lick a bowl that I've had my eye on. I am ashamed to say that I don't act nice when that happens and I bark in their faces and tell them "to go home." My mom says this is not nice and I've been getting timeouts. I get separated for a few minutes in my room and then I can come out and play again. I don't respond well to getting yelled at or scolded or negatively punished in anyway so I have to be removed from the room for some "me time." Then I can choose to come out again or just stay in bed.
So those are the areas I would like to improve in - learn to smell some new things and be nicer to my friends - pretty good for a dog.
I'm not sure how this is going to go - I am a coonhound so hopefully that will give me an advantage and I'm really good at finding treats so I'm hoping this won't be too hard. Class starts next Sunday morning (doesn't my mom know I need my beauty sleep?) so I will report back with just exactly is happening there.
The other area I am looking to improve on is how I treat my guests. I have gotten a lot better with having people guests over (I'm not as scared anymore) but I have been a little jealous when my buddies come over. Sometimes they want to take my treats and sleep on my beds and get petted instead of me or lick a bowl that I've had my eye on. I am ashamed to say that I don't act nice when that happens and I bark in their faces and tell them "to go home." My mom says this is not nice and I've been getting timeouts. I get separated for a few minutes in my room and then I can come out and play again. I don't respond well to getting yelled at or scolded or negatively punished in anyway so I have to be removed from the room for some "me time." Then I can choose to come out again or just stay in bed.
So those are the areas I would like to improve in - learn to smell some new things and be nicer to my friends - pretty good for a dog.
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