Okay!!! Feeling better today about jumping the gun a bit yesterday!!!
Sevvy & I have come to the conclusion that more space is needed to maneuver the harness, the food, the clicker, and everything! So, after making sure all the siblings & friends are on lock-down—we proceeded!
The setup is everything. Also, I need one more hand! Tomorrow, I will have the harness set up around the bowl and somehow manage to click the clicker as I slide the harness over her head. We’ve doing clicker stuff today, rewarding Sevvy for going to the top shelf of her condo when I’m on the way to let the dogs in/out. So she’s gaining positive associations with the clicker.
Second meal with harness on.
The ability to catch treats is a SERIOUS LIFE SKILL. I have used this trick to enable (a) fun games of fetch (rather than shouting "DROP IT"--I spit a piece of string cheese that the dog catches); (b) extend lovely down/stays in the kitchen (while I toss bits of carrots or apple to the dog 10' away on his comfy bed) and (c) do the sideways toss and catch to get a totally focused "heel" while we're walking past the tree known as Squirrel Central. Some dogs get it right away. Others, it takes a while. It also takes a while for the human to master the toss and arc. This is a skill that requires two. Parker Hooper is ready for the big, wide world!
Let's call her Xanthippe (for now). 9yo, female, spayed Boston Terrier/Pug bouncing back into a rescue situation because of serious human health issues. It's Spring in this video. She gets along "okay" with other dogs but she's got that Yosemite Sam/Speedy Gonzales....um, zing about her. I'd like to place her at the end of a week with an EXCELLENT young couple who already have experience with adopting a challenging dog. Stay tuned.
Eleven years young today. Happy Birthday, Jakie!!! My heart, my soul, and the best dang business partner ever. People may have doubts about me....but Jakie always seals the deal. I couldn't have done the last 11 years without you. Thank you for teaching me so very, very much.
Pug fishing. It's a thing!
Later that same day....Ellie has learned that the pug puppy doesn't like stairs....so she's safe from serious boundary crashing. Now she's toying with baiting The PP. Ellie could still escape to the relative safety of the yard if The PP got too rambunctious. And both Jake and I are on hand to interrupt if anyone gets overwhelmed.
Jake (the big dog) was a horrible player as a puppy. I learned to choose his playmates well, and use a harness and long line (or tether) on him so when he got obnoxious, his playmate could walk away. The pug puppy (AKA Yosemite Sam-antha) is straight out of Jake's mold. A true social idiot. So, Jake and I are teaching her to play nice. She is in a harness and tethered on a long line. Jake demonstrates that gentle play (on a low plane) keeps him engaged.
Prey drive is important because....you can use it as a reward for going potty outside! (Also, please don't tell me that your 6 year old dog--that has been with you for 6 years--needs a food treat after going potty outside. Really. That's not cute.)
Building/channeling prey drive. Because (a) it's important and (b) it's so frigging cute! (11? week old pug puppy)
Did I mention there's a loaner puppy in my life? Ellie is a 10 week old Cavalier. Today she got to meet the free ranging chickens. The point at which she won't chase her ball is her threshold for fear/tolerance. So we're just going to hang there for awhile.
