dogsontherun.net

Received shipment of Clean Run toys. Nice rabbit tug with two handles, thought Joon might like it.

Anyway, our big session today consisted of working her on leash using handfuls of Red Barn applied as appropriate for desired behaviors. Clicker too, just for the heck of it. She was AMAZING.

Leaving her to wander and explore is obviously a loser at this time. Far more rewarding than she finds me - for now. But with the leash and frequent clicks and treats for the least good behavior, she was really ON. Read more »

The little darling has been here now a fortnight. Boy, what a mix of wild and crazy and submissive and worm-like she is (not to mention bitchy and sweet) - a study in contradictions!

We’ve been blessed with some lovely weather for November (except for two days of solid rain last week, but we won’t count them): sunny days in the 60s with cool (well, cold) nights. For the most part I cannot use crappy weather as an excuse not to train my dog(s). So I’ve been training them.

My training sessions with Joon consist mainly of taking her to our agility area, which is a totally fenced area where I can take her leash off and allow her the opportunity to interact with me or with the environment. At this point I’m at about 60%, Read more »

Joon has now been with us for a week. I’ve spent my time with her largely evaluating “how she works” (or not), or better said, what makes her work and what doesn’t.

All who meet her agree that she’s extremely sweet. She loves to jump up on everyone, very gently, for hugs and pats. And she’s so gentle about it that no one complains, but is suckered into the hugs and pats. In a group of people she’s constantly trying to catch someone’s eye so she can entrance them, like everyone else she’s captivated.

She’s a complex mixture of go go go go go and oh no I can’t go. Read more »

1. Establish short- and long-term goals. Write ‘em down!
2. Break the goals down into behaviors to teach the dog.
3. Train these behaviors, recording all steps, whether successful or not. Both successes and setbacks provide very good information.
4. Review goals regularly. They’re not set in stone! It’s probable that new mini-behaviors will need to be added in order to progress.
5. Be diligent and honest in your record-keeping.

Linda: Dontcha think you should put a link to your coolio blog on the mountainview website?

Averill: I plan to; want to get it going a bit more before I do.

Linda: Which means you need to write in it.

Averill: Yep, but first I have to do something with Joon besides walk her and feed her Red Barn.

Linda: I bet she’s loving that. That is doing something with her. You’re teaching her that Read more »

This little lady just joined our pack today. She belonged to a local cattle farmer who uses his Border collies to herd the cattle. Joon wasn’t “enough dog” for the job, apparently, and they sought a home where she could be active, understood - and have a job. Joon’s a year old, sweet as can be, and has lived outdoors all her life. Read more »