Not my best video, but too funny not to share. π We have been working on targeting the muzzle and then I throw his jolly ball for him to herd/ retrieve. Needless to say, I think he's got the pattern down. π
Sometimes, it really is helpful to know what breeds your dog is made up of. There have always been some very unique behaviors that Crew has displayed. Turns out my tiny foster pit is part cattle dog. My dogs both know how to push a large ball, but it took time and practice to get them to push it even 10 feet. Well....I showed him the ball... Gave it a small push, and off he went!!! Unfortunately, the ball got caught on the fence and it popped, but we have some new herding toys on the way now!
While he was out less today than he typically is, he has slept and been so quiet all evening. I think he really needed an outlet for his natural instincts, and I can't wait to help further our training skills now that we know how strong his drive to herd is! β€οΈπΎ
Lucciβs House Bully Rescue
IACS Rescue
I am dying with laughter at 6 am on a Saturday.
This moment of joy is also a magical training moment and where the decisions I make will affect how the dog responds to the situation now as well as in the future.
I took off a pair of socks outside yesterday and he was very excited about his finding! Never has he ever played with a sock in the house, even when left on the floor, but outside, I guess it suddenly became a toy. ππ€£
If I chase him down to get the sock back, I've engaged in active confrontation with him, and dogs tend to avoid confrontation at all costs. Plus, we want what we don't have...so next time, you better believe if I tried to chase him again, he is going to run for the hills...and it will either be a fun game of keep away for him...or a stressful and confrontational situation that could lead to resource guarding and aggressive behavior.
Here, I chose to just let him play and be a dog. He was having so much fun, and he has never eaten or torn up a toy of any sort. I prepared his breakfast and called him in. He came flying in, leaving the sock behind. You see, mornings are his favorite because he not only gets to eat, but he also has free run upstairs in the mornings. He runs all his toys into bed and snuggles with my husband. For him, there is no better reinforcement. He's a playful and social boy.
There really is not a need to panic when a dog has something it should not except for something that is a DIE item. And honestly, if the dog has those kinds of things, it means I should have done better management and should have put those things out of reach. And in those moments, I can make an easy trade because the dog isn't anticipating me taking it away.
D- dangerous (like it could kill the dog)
I- invaluable/ irreplaceable (ie family heirloom)
E- expensive
Choose joy and laughter when training your dog. Don't fret the small stuff. Have fun!!
Btw...This Crew boy is so full of joy and whoever adopts him will be so lucky!!