Snarlfest 2010 update

We talked to the trainer about their little "affectionate" spat and he doesn't seem to be too concerned. He told us that we did the right thing by letting the dogs sniff outside first and that this is something they will grow out of. Right now, they are still getting used to living together.

We had guests over for dinner on Saturday night following their spat. Our friends brough two dogs with them - a shitzu and a shitzu-cairn terrier. We were prepared for this. Before our guests arrived, I walked Guinniess and Basil a couple of times around the block. Keith had Basil while I had Guinness on leashes. We kept them several feet apart.

Our guests rolled up. The dogs Dante and Comang arrivead and hopped out of the car. Basil and Guinness did the usual pulling on the leash to go towards the new arrivals. We reminded them to sit and tried to get them calm. Basil was fine. Basil got to go sniff the dogs first. Guinness was really jumpy and whining. After he was calm, he got to go sniff the dogs. We walked all of them into the open space of our back yard and one by one, we let the dogs off the leash.

Guinness was last to be let off the leash, but it didn't take long before he lost all interest and wanted to sniff and eat grass instead. I let him off the leash. He paid no mind to the other dogs. He and Basil sniffed and greeted the other dogs and there were no incidents for the whole night!

In addition, I'm training the boys to "Stay" reliable. Guinn knows "stay" but Basil doesn't so much. However Basil is better at staying once he sits while Guinn can't seem to focus on it. I'm training them to go sit in their "Spot" (in the corner away from the front door) so that I can approach the front door without crowding. I'm training them to not bark or jump at the front door when the doorbell rings as well.

Basil is really starting to get it. YAY! I ring the door bell. Basil barks "bark bark bark". I signal him to "go to your spot" and sit. Gets treat. I command him to "stay". I walk away, walk out, come back in. Basil is still sitting in his spot. I tell him "good boy! come!" He comes. He gets a treat. BOY, it's a lot of work! It's a constant process. I have to maintain that "I'm boss" all the time!

After 3 days of doing this repeatedly (15-20 times), Basil's "bark bark bark" became "bark". Once, he didn't bark at all!!! I was so proud. He even stayed put in his spot!

Going to the Park

Yay! Mom and dad are taking us to the park today!

Getting ready to go.

Come on Guinn catch up before some other dog sniffs all our spots!

The teacher at Wonder Dogs instructed mom to take us to the playground so we get exposure to different surfaces, but this was an anti-shmushy face park! How rude!

What should we do now Guinn? Let's lick this joint and bounce Baz.

It's more fun at home anyway. Thanks for the walk pawrents!

Wonder Dogs: Orientation

Today was orientation for the pawrents at Wonder Dogs, where we enrolled Guinness in a basic obedience class for dogs older than 12 months. It was very informative.

Homework:

• Practice "sit" with Guinness....check
• Use words "yes", "too bad" and "okay"...check
• Call Guinness' name, draw the treat from his nose to your eye, when you have his attention and he's looking you in the eyes, say "yes" and give him the treat....check.
• Feed him dinner from your hands.
• Don't play tug of war with him...too late.
• Don't wrastle with him...EVER...too late.
• Socialize socialize socialize...check.
• Praise him with love and "good boy" when he's laying around quietly doing nothing.

To be consistent and share leadership, we take turns working with Guinness and we've set up a schedule to do it at the same time each evening. Guinness already knows "sit", but the focus on our eyes was something we needed to work on. He's so smart. He picked it up right away and by the evening, I was able to hold his attention without a treat.

No alpha rolls

From our experience with Basil, we just don't think alpha rolls are effective or necessary. We won't be doing it anymore. We love Cesar Millan, but some of his tactics include domination (while being the pack leader) and that really isn't something we feel is necessary with our frenchies. Basil knows we're the leaders. I have read mixed reviews on alpha rolls and most people say they are not effective in the long term. We agree. If we're still not seeing the results we want, then maybe it's time to try something else to achieve the behavior we want.