Counter Conditioning ... yes, training with a baby cat.
As some of you know, we found a very young (probably around 5 weeks old) kitten that we're currently looking for a home for. So of course, I have to work with him. In this video, I'm using objects for play as a reward. This is to keep him occupied while rewarding him as well as to give him a positive association with the big dogs who were sitting behind me. It seems like such a silly thing were doing (and it is), but it is also a teaching moment. After just a few minutes, little Squidgey is much more relaxed and understanding that the dogs aren't a threat.
Meet the newest member of our Double Dew 'Doption Crew, Sadie Loo aka Sassy Sadie. She's a young girl that is going into her teenage time. She is very sweet, but she can be a little sassy with younger, smaller, more submissive dogs. We're going to dive into this for the next couple of weeks and see if we can get her back on track. She's gorgeous and appears to be a purebred Pyr. She's house trained, loves her crate, and although polite, she's starting to learn her basic manners. Her ideal family right now would either have no dogs or a confident mentor dog. She has been cat tested. She loves the wading pool, and while she's still young and active, I'm seeing signs of her developing that chill adult Pyr personality.
She is available for adoption through TGPR. Please feel free to share to your friends.
On today's episode of being "loved" by a Bloodhound, I present the song of their people. What ails her, you might ask. Well today the tea kettle and subsequent scream blorking is a result of the extremely sad fact that she must potty and play outside where it's warm when she'd rather be inside where it's cool. Note that she's voicing this mild inconvenience right in front of the door and about 18 inches from my face. This is the reason I'll be saying "huh?" a lot this week. You've been warned.
From scared to death, panic running away from danger, ie me, to running towards me despite distractions just to say "hey" ... all in a matter of a few weeks. This is what patience and love and confidence look like ... oh and a halfway decent flying lead change which I didn't teach him. 🤣
I get a lot, I mean A LOT, of flack about the way I handle behavior issues. My way is slow, methodical, non-linear, and accommodating. I don't tell or push a dog to do something they don't want to. I ask and encourage them to overcome their fears (and the vast majority of behavior issues come from a place of fear and insecurity).
Through a bit pf patience and understanding, Griffin now has the confidence to try new things and a new trust in people. Those life skills will help him for the rest of his life. Good boy, Griff.
These two are very excited about this cooler weather.
Griffin (the solid white) and Meiling (the lady with the mask) are both available for adoption from Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue.
Another great example that size has very little to do with dog friendships. Play style and your dog's individual level of involvement is what matters. TGPR foster Griffin is literally twice Lilou's size, but you can see how careful and gentle he is. He does this so he doesn't frighten her and to keep her engaged in the game.
And this gentleman has quite the moves for being 6.5 yrs old.
I find myself amusing ... 🤣🤣🤣
For your Smiley Saturday, if you ever wanted to know what owning a chocolate Lab was like, this pretty much sums it up. Sound up and enjoy Sher's antics.
Sound up for my terrible singing for your Friday funny.
Find something you love as much as Georgia likes playing with the water sprayer. 🤣🥰
In case you ever wondered what "I hear ya but I ain't listenin" looked like in Husky .....
Make no mistake, these big pools are a PITA.
They take forever to fill up, and they're dirty in 2.5 seconds. Dumping and cleaning them is a big messy chore. Someone will create a hole at some point, and they're a pain to try to fix.
But this is one of the many reasons why we do it. Enjoy "Lab puppy scuba diving" ....