It's a long drive and I always feel rushed. I leave work early because we need to allow at least an hour to get there because of the evening peak hour traffic.
Initially Benny whined in the car all the way but he is much better now as he has realised that the car takes him to good places.
He loves the trainer (who is also the breeder) and greets her like nothing I have ever seen. She is a tough as nails and doesn't acknowledge him until he sits.
Last night we worked on call and recall. It is all about the correct hand signals and body language. I hate to say it but I think I do a better job than my husband. He tends to wave his hands about a bit much and Benny gets all confused or distracted.
We discussed the issue in the car and then when we got home I demonstrated what the trainer and I do and what K does. Then he got it.
I felt like a bit of a pain in the arse. I mean, we are talking about a dog here. Not a child. But I want to do agility training with Benny one day and I need to get it right at the beginning. Dogs are into body language and the slightest change means the intention gets mixed up.
K and I also had a discussion about Benny being off lead. He thinks we could let Benny off lead when we go to a dog park but unless there is a fence around the entire perimeter I am not letting a four month old puppy off lead. Not until he is under voice control. You wouldn't let an 18month old walk randomly down the street with you. It's the same with a dog.
Anyway, on the way home I said something about going to the dog park later and K said "and let Benny off lead" to which I replied "are you for real?". This response from me led to K being offended. He thinks I am over the top and I think he is very casual. We want the same result but he works from a different book I think. But we resolved that thing. He understood why Benny can not go off lead yet unless he comes when called every single time.
The other week I was walking Benny and his collar slipped over his head. He darted onto the road which, thankfully, was car free. I freaked but called out to him in that happy high voice and he came over, albeit slowly. In my head I was thinking "fuckity fuck Benny come here pleeeeease" but my voice said "Benny come, good boy". However, had there been another dog over the road or even another person he would have run over to them. It was just lucky.
So, off lead ain't happening yet.
Sometimes I hate that I am a bit bossy. Or like things my way in regards to certain things. It is very controlling and I do try hard to not be like that too often. K assures me that I am not as bad as I think. But I do know that there are some days where I am a pain. Guess we all are sometimes.
After last night's training with Benny I realised I need to put more into it each and every day. So this morning I spent ten minutes going over it all and he was great. I then took him for a twenty minute walk before heading off to work.
He can only go for short walks like that. It works out 5 minutes per month of age up until 12 months and then there is no limit. I am busting to get up to an hour of walking with him. Can't wait to walk him down to the beach. Or use a frisbee with him.
Until then there is lots of training and playing fetch. Meeting new dogs and going to the dog beach to hump other dogs....
This Saturday he is coming with me to the Farmer's Market. Meet and greet the local dogs. Get some specially made healthy dog food. Hang out with me while I drink coffee.
Then a walk down to the beach.
It's a doggy life isn't it.
Ciao
LC
My partner James, who is almost scarily good with dogs, always says that it's VERY important to keep a dog "on-lead" (we say "on-leash") when they are being trained.
ReplyDeleteThis is especially true for puppies, but applies to all dogs that need training.
Many people apply human characteristics to dogs, which is a mistake; they are NOT human! They thrive on structure, consistent discipline and want to please.
We have a neighbor who lets her beautiful yellow lab/Golden retriever mix run free here in The Woods, because she thinks that the dog should be able to go where and when it wants. This is NOT good!
When "Eddy" finds his way to our barn, James immediately puts him on-leash and it's amazing how the dog's behavior changes for the better! No more barking, no more whining to fetch, etc.
So please stick to your conviction to keep Benny on-lead until he is thoroughly trained. Even then, it's always best to keep them on-lead in public situations.
Cameron: The dog trainer says the same thing about dogs being on a lead. She never takes hers off lead unless they are in competition mode or in a fenced area. Never when walking down the street.
ReplyDeleteA dog is a dog and has to learn to fit in with humans. Putting human values on a dog is trouble in the making.
Whenever Benny whines we ignore him. I try really hard to give him structure and routine. He likes it and I like it.
My hubby is a bit like yours, but with words! "Down" "Off" and "Sit" seem to mean the same thing to him, but gets the dogs (and me) confused. What to do, what to do....
ReplyDeleteDD: I am hearing you on that one. And all of those three words are said at a loud pitch. Usually followed by the dog's name. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteThe other day K encouraged Benny to jump on the couch and gave him a cuddle. Then the next day when it happened he got into trouble. Mixed messages. K got into trouble from me.
I wouldn't let that precious doggy off his leash out in the world until he is voice trained either. He's still a baby!! There's nothing like a leash to keep him safe and protected, and they really do behave better when they are on them. Which is what they want, after all. They WANT to please those they love by being good. Here we have dog parks that are fenced in, and you can let the dogs off the leash and into a gated fenced area to run with other dogs. But an open park? I'd never let Pippa off a leash. Not only is she untrainable, but she'd be gone in a flash, possibly to get hit by a car. Unless the dog is fully trained and stays by your side at all times, I'd say it's not a good idea. They really are like toddlers, and will wander off very quickly on those four legs of theirs. Good for you for standing your ground. Can't wait till you can take Benny to the beach and coffee shop.
ReplyDeleteKaren: K did concede that it was right to keep Benny on lead. When we went to the dog beach yesterday he said we should not follow Benny around too closely otherwise how would Benny learn to keep us in his line of sight. Then Benny ran off like a bullet to the other end of the beach and K had to go and catch him because Benny would not listen to us.
ReplyDeleteThis just confirmed my argument and now there is no discussion.
Benny is very keen to please. But as a puppy he is more keen to please himself.