The Dalmatian Diaries Blog

Widget and I trekked across Austin today to meet with a new trainer. It's not that Widget hasn't been making progress - she has - it's just that I didn't feel that she and I were "understanding" each other like we should. I know she reads me like a book so I wanted to learn a) what she was seeing/learning from me, and b) how to better respond to her during training.

One thing that the trainer confirmed was something we already suspected: Widget doesn't do well when left to make too many decisions on her own. We encountered this when she was a puppy and we were trying to housebreak her (I posted about this I think somewhere WAY back in the early days of the blog). When we removed some decisions from her daily routine we found that she was housebroken in no time!

I think Widget's biggest problem is that she feels that she is supposed to take control of all situations. She doesn't have the confidence to do so (as Tara the trainer pointed out) so that's when the crazies come in to play. Tara taught me how to respond to Widget (to remove some of the decision making from her list of responsibilities) and some great exercises to work on to help build Widget's confidence.

I don't expect overnight miracles but I will say that just after today's lesson Widget was looking at me differently. She did what I asked (and she got rewarded) and I think understanding the rules of the game a little better made her feel better.

She's such a cool dog, I really want everyone to see the Widget I know. Hopefully someday they will!

Yep, you read right. Widget went to the mall today. Her Paw Trek class met at the Arboretum. It didn't start off very well. Not awful, but Widget was pulling a lot on the leash and really fired up. I think part of it was my fault. We were running late and I was disorganized. She reads me like a book so I think she sensed my tension. After a little exercise she settled down a bit. We also worked on "ignore" when she spotted something "scary". I'd say "ignore" and give her a big bite of treat if she focused on me instead of the scary thing/person/noise. The mall started off very quiet but by the time class was nearly over there were more people and kids around. At first she didn't like all the new people she was seeing but with "ignore" and treats by the end of class she was actually taking treats from strangers... AND KIDS!!!! Yep, you read that right!

In her Thursday class she did fantastic up until the last few minutes. She didn't have problems with people or anything... until the last few minutes. Then she decided that she had been quiet long enough and barked at a woman (who is actually in her Saturday class too) approaching her.

I have to say though she's really making amazing improvements. It's frustrating when she'll be doing well and then take a step backwards, but we're taking way more steps forwards these days. I'm proud of her. It's exhausting for me but it's necessary.

It's been so hectic I didn't get a chance to update after Widget's first Paw Trek class. I thought she did great! She was a bit wary of the other dogs in class as she'd never met them before. She was SO much better with humans than I expected her to be though! I was so impressed! She didn't didn't walk all that nicely on leash for me (pulled a lot) but I think it was mostly because we were WAY at the back of the pack and she wanted to be up where the other dogs where. On the way back from our trek (we went to a park) she was at the front of the pack and at first was great but then she realized all the dogs were BEHIND her so she kept turning around to look at them!

Today I went to daycare to be there while Widget had a massage. Christina from Skillful Paws is awesome! The reason I went was because we wanted to see how Widget would be with a massage while I was around - would she be protective? would she relax? The answers are no and yes! She didn't really seem bothered or concerned by my presence. She kept her eye on me and if I moved she looked to see if I was going to take her home But she did indeed relax. A couple of big sighs and definitely fought off falling asleep (if I hadn't been there I'm sure she would have been napping during the massage!). There were even two active GSDs there which I thought would be more distracting but she didn't really seem bothered by them. At least not like she would have been previously!

I think everything we're doing for her is really working. It's not an overnight fix of course, but she's slowly learning to accept that life isn't so scary. People are nice and if you let them they'll pet you and give you tasty treats. She still needs some work on her dog-dog interactions. She loves some dogs and others she's not happy about. But I think she'll get there!

Another Gameskills (CGC) class tonight then on Saturday the Paw Trek class is going to the Arboretum (it's a shopping area for those of you not in Austin). She'll get to check out Amy's Ice Cream and Barnes and Noble. It should be interesting to say the least.

So Widget is back in school. Since Browser finished his CGC it was definitely her turn for some "learnin'".

This is the first time since she started on the amitriptyline that she's been in a class. I signed her up for not only the same Game Skills/CGC class that Browser just completed, but also the Paw Trek class that goes out and about to dog-friendly places. I have to admit that the thought of going to TWO classes a week with her was a bit daunting.

I went into tonight's class with very low expectations. All I wanted to do was have her get through a course without being psychotic. I have to say, she amazed me tonight. She barked a little, mostly at first, but nothing, NOTHING like she did in previous classes. In fact she got very relaxed a few times in class. I came fully prepared though. I had bubbles, peaceful paws (the calming oil), a DAP collar, and really tasty treats. We started out with a slathering of Peaceful Paws and wearing the DAP collar. I blew bubbles as soon as we got inside. I was floored that she didn't seem as apprehensive towards people as she used to. She didn't lunge like she has in the past. And the barking she did? Really was directed at the dogs. And it wasn't her "I'm really mad" bark, it was more like "HEY, who ARE you?".

I don't have expectations that Widget will get her CGC out of this. I do hope though that it will bring her a little closer to understanding that the whole world isn't a scary place. She's a really smart girl. And sweet (when she wants to be). I wish more people could see the Widget I do. I guess that is really my goal.

Next report: Paw Trek on Saturday. Oh man.

(p.s. Browser cried the whole time we were gone. He missed Momma and Widget)

Browser is back in school. This time we're working on getting his Canine Good Citizen certification. Yay! It's a no-brainer for him - he's SUCH a good boy, but just being back in class is even better for him. He loves it. He loves the people, the dogs, the attention...and of course, the treats

We also measured him last week at class. He's 23 3/4" (he needs to be under 24" for conformation). I'm going to measure him at the end of the CGC class and go from there. I'm not going to go nuts trying to show him if he's going to go over the standard. I think he has amazing potential, however.

When Browser is done with this class, I want to get Widget back into agility.

I had to bring my car in for service this week which means I won't have a car to shuttle the pups around in. So, the true test is going to be how much work I get done with them home all week (or however long it takes to fix the endgate of my SUV). So far, so good. It's mid-day and puppy nap time. They pretty much crash the same time each day now which gives me about 2 hours of good computer time in my office (as opposed to interrupted computer time on the laptop outside with them!) I'm hopeful that I can start to reduce their daycare days per week and still maintain my work output. Browser LOVES playing with the other dogs so I know they'll still need to go a couple of days a week. He and Widget play of course, but she gets tired of his brute force style play. He's a rough and tough boy! Widget will still need to work on her people skills as well, so I won't be ruling out daycare entirely anytime soon!

It's been a challenge in the past to get any work done with them both at home during the day. These are high energy dogs - and slightly devious. They've required supervision while outside (and inside!) during puppyhood which makes for a serious distraction in my work day. But, as they've matured they've become more trustworthy (of course) and take more naps than they did as babies. They also don't require human interaction during play as much (they play with each other quite well now). So, working from home has become a little easier.

Sorry I haven't had any pictures lately - I will try to remedy that soon!

Browser started obedience class last night. He got to see all his favorite people (the trainers). He wouldn't sit still though in class because he wanted to play so badly with the other dogs. He's one of the youngest in the class (there is one younger puppy who is being trained to be an assistance dog). He did most the exercises well - but of course we've been working ahead since Widget had already taken that class. He knows sit very well and "attention to name" he does about 90%. We've started working ahead on "down", "leave it", and "wait".

Widget starts agility next Saturday. I'm really hoping she has fun with it. It seems right up her alley!

Widget, my spring-loaded pup, learned a new trick yesterday. I mean, she already loves to jump, so why not into my arms? All I did was say, "Widget, jump up!" and into my arms she went. That was the first time. She also did it the second, third and fourth times.

Now what was hilarious was when Brent tried it today. He wanted Widget to jump into HIS arms. So he said the command and patted his chest... and into MY arms she went!! She knew what was supposed to be done, she just didn't realize it had moved venues. I swear, she's too smart.