2017/7/7
After playing outside in the rain and mud, Kodi got a bath. We played a little in the tub, I washed Kodi, and then it was time to be dried. First we played with the towel to get mostly dry, while playing with a ball. Then I turned on the hair dryer, pointed up so it wouldn't blow on him, while we continued to play with the ball. Gradually I started aiming it at him from a distance, and closer and closer, still playing with the ball. As he got comfortable with the noise and the feel of the air (and maybe because he started getting a little cold?) he settled down and seemed to really enjoy the warm air. Great first experience with the hair dryer, where at times he was a little unsure but with guidance and breaks was able to recover and realize that this was a nice, relaxing activity.
We're having a thunderstorm! When the hail stopped we went outside to play in the mud and experience thunder. The flirt pole is Kodi's favorite toy.
Kodi plays with Jasper, a 9 year old lab mix. Jasper lives next to my parents and is the "boyfriend" of our white husky Denali so we know him very well and trust him to interact appropriately with Kodi.
Kodi the puppy playing with Puddin' the Chihuahua.
Puddin' is our foster dog with Chihuahua & Small Dog Rescue, Inc.
Kodi searching for food in a snuffle mat.
Snuffle mat from Mountain Dog Fleece
Kodi at Canine Coach, Inc. for some puppy play!
Denali muzzle training session 2
Here is Denali's second session of muzzle training. I wasn't quite getting what I wanted with her holding her nose inside for longer but we figured out how to get her there. She's doing really well! Learn more about proactive muzzle training and the The Muzzle Up Project at https://muzzleupproject.com/2016/02/04/muzzle-training-a-proactive-approach/
Kaytu muzzle training, sessions 1 & 2
Denali is learning the muzzle training very quickly because she *loves* targeting games and bumping with her nose. Kaytu is catching on too but will take more sessions, and that's ok! Dogs, like humans, pick up skills at different rates. Here are Kaytu's first two sessions. She's doing great! This is honestly what I expected with muzzle training, that it would take a few sessions to have them getting their nose into the muzzle. Kaytu's first session was May 27th and second session was tonight, June 1st. I will set a timer for about 2:30 next time to make sure we don't work too long again, and will also make sure I have the little poodle Bobb as well as the cats Zebulon and Everest secured out of the way.
Check out the The Muzzle Up Project and learn more about proactive muzzle training at https://muzzleupproject.com/2016/02/04/muzzle-training-a-proactive-approach/
Muzzle Training with Denali
There are so many skills and behaviors I want to teach my dogs and one that has been pressing on my mind the most is muzzle training. I want to be as proactive and prepared as I can be, and teaching them to enjoy wearing a muzzle is an important skill. Even the sweetest, nicest, most friendly dogs need to be muzzled if they are hurt. Veterinarians need to feel (and be) safe, and that means a dog may need to be muzzled for routine procedures and definitely for assessing a traumatic injury.
In teaching them to wear it I am creating a positive association toward it. Putting on the muzzle is going to be a fun game, a trick, instead of being scary or restrictive. It is not forced upon them and does not add stress. It's fun! Ultimately we'll practice settling exercises so that wearing a muzzle is not only positive, but is associated with relaxing and being calm. Read about the proactive approach to muzzle training on the The Muzzle Up Project, https://muzzleupproject.com/2016/02/04/muzzle-training-a-proactive-approach/
Denali loves target training and caught on almost immediately. Yes, this is her first session! Our other husky, Kaytu, in the approximately the same amount of time is still at the first step of looking at the muzzle for a click and treat. Every dog will learn at a different rate and that's fine, no rush! When Kaytu begins extending her neck and wanting to interact with the muzzle then we'll encourage that, but we won't force it. This video is uncut, except for a moment when I stopped the camera to reset the other pets in their stay positions. This is a new skill for me too and it took some experimenting to find the most effective way of holding the muzzle and clicker and to be able to get treats too.
