Sorry, have to brag about my baby!

Share your experience and tell us how using positive reinforcement training methods has changed yours and your dogs' lives.

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ScarletSci
Posts: 463
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:44 pm

Sorry, have to brag about my baby!

Post by ScarletSci »

Pixie is still shy of five months old, but I'm so proud of how well shes doing! I was already a positive method trainer, but having this forum to turn to when things get rough or I find myself frustrated and looking for tips has made a world of difference. I can now ignore it when someone questions the way I'm doing things (happens more than I care to think about) and get some encouragement and try new techniques if ones I'm trying aren't working.

We still have a long way to go, obviously, but since Pixie is very smart and very high energy, I'm proud that the work we're putting in is paying off so well, and it's a delight to take her out and see how well she's doing. I'm glad I waited until now to get such a high energy dog, because I have the time, maturity and patience to take on all that work and really enjoy how bright and bouncy she is. Had she gone to a home who wanted a dog that would be content to sit by the fire... she wouldn't have fared well. She needs a lot of patience as well, but that pays off tenfold when I see how bright and confident she is. She's a sensitive soul, so I think an owner who became frustrated with her or didn't use positive methods would soon lose that bond with her that I adore.

She had a vet trip the other day to get her microchip and so many people commented on how great she looks and how well behaved and friendly she is. The vet is happy with her health and fitness, and although she's small for a Springer (vet agrees that the way her weight and frame has changed since she was nine weeks old, it's likely that her breeders stunted her growth by not worming her - but doesn't think we have to worry about her health long term, she might just remain a small Springer girl.)

The most noticeable positives in her behaviour are in her off the lead work. She adores being off lead and getting muddy! Being a natural worrier, I obviously still have my concerns about her being off lead so much at her age, and I know that there will come a time when she starts to rebel, but I'm hoping that by putting in such good groundwork we'll be able to ride that out as well. Her recall is fantastic, when I call her she belts over to me as fast as her little legs will carry her! Spaniel ears flapping in the wind. Even if she's distracted by things like chasing birds. Others are always surprised by how good she is at her age. She often checks in with me even when I don't call her, because she knows she gets a praise party and some treats! Since I'm not pushing my luck there, she often goes back on lead for brief periods of time if we're passing a hedge that has gaps in, or I see a dog we don't know in the distance, and she's as good as gold about that. I think it's helped in that she doesn't associate the lead going on with going home.

She's also started to chew up sticks, a habit which I think she's picked up from my parents older dog. Since she was trying to swallow the bits, I need to stop this habit before it becomes ingrained. Today I decided to start carrying a squeaky toy. Her 'leave it' is already good, but it really helped to have something really fun to give her and distract her when she went for a stick, something different from yet more treats.

She had been in a fear period recently which worried me, but I think we're coming through that just fine. I've been hugely reinforcing the idea to come to me if something worries her, and now if something startles her she shakes it off much more quickly, and looks to me to see what to do. I feel much more in-tune with her moods and behaviour. Yesterday we were doing some LLW work on a cycle path nearby, and she was doing so well about passing cyclists and joggers. But at one point we got kinda trapped when a huge group of about twenty guys on bikes and in fancy dress were coming towards us! Was obviously a stag do trip. One of the guys crashed his bike about twenty yards in front of us, and the others stopped to make fun of him and laugh. Pixie couldn't take her eyes of them and was worried, but not panicked... had this been my parents dog, he would have freaked out! We couldn't keep going and pass them, because they were blocking most of the path, and I was reluctant to turn and go the other way because then they'd be approaching from behind. So we stopped and went as far to the side as we could, and I kept myself between Pixie and the path and did some basic training with her until the group got themselves together and passed us. A few of the guys said thank you as they passed - but I wasn't doing it for them, I was doing it for my dog! I was really proud of her, and glad that I'm more attuned to her behaviour. I had planned to take her to the outside of a nearby supermarket for a brief socialisation session just before this happened, but decided after the boys on bikes incident that that was enough for one trip!

We do still have a lot to do - her LLW isn't great yet, she is still chewing furniture and chases the cats (even though when she gets to them, she just asks them to play!) we're still getting the hang of clicker training together, and I want to teach her how to follow hand signals to work on my left or right side ready for when she's old enough to do agility, but we're both enjoying the process, and I know that there will always be more things we need to work on! But we had such a great walk this morning, I just had to post and brag about my girl and how happy I am with her.

It was really chilly this morning, but we both enjoyed our walk so much. I've only just found a harness for her that fits well, it was her second trip out using it, and she acted like she'd worn a harness all of her life. Not the least bit bothered. We have some work to do it getting her used to having it put on, but she doesn't seem to object to it, she just isn't sure what she's meant to do as I'm trying to get it over her legs! Once it's on, she doesn't react to it at all. So we went for a walk/training session, and for LLW I've started doing the turn rather than the dead tree thing, which wasn't working, and was raising my stress and frustration levels! She did so much better with the turning thing, and it was much more fun that doing the dead tree. Once we got to the park she could go off lead for a while since there is no one else about that time of the morning, and it stuck me just how good and how happy she was. She just looked so bouncy, happy and content, and was so responsive to my every word and move. Even the little bits of training we do in between walking and exploring she thinks are a brilliant game, and I love seeing her so happy and stimulated, and seeing how all the work is not only fun, but pays off when I call her away from a gap in the hedge and she comes belting towards me without even stopping to think about it.

She's now having a snooze on the sofa, and I had to write and share how proud of her I am, and to thank all of you for not only reading all this waffling, but for all the help and advice you've posted - not just to me, but in all of the threads that I've read over the last few months. If Pixie could thank you, I know she would as well! :D
ScarletSci
Posts: 463
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:44 pm

Re: Sorry, have to brag about my baby!

Post by ScarletSci »

Sorry, but just to add to that - My puppy Pixie and my parents 7 year old Sproker, Jack, are also getting along much much better. There was some jealousy and naughtiness going on before, but that has calmed down so much, and they've been enjoying playing zoomie games together recently. It worried me at first, because it seems to consist of Jack barking A LOT, and bowling her over quite a bit! It sounded a bit ferocious at first. But after some careful observations, it's clear that it's just a game, and one they're both enjoying! They take turns to chase each other, and there are plenty of ways they could escape from each other if they'd had enough, or humans they could go to, but they both go back for more. Jack is just very vocal about it while Pixie quietly leaps at his head!

Just so good to see that they can have fun together. Even if they never become best buddies, if they can live together happily and play together now and then, then I'm happy!
JudyN
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Re: Sorry, have to brag about my baby!

Post by JudyN »

Well done both of you - you're so in tune with each other! :D It's so important to appreciate all the things your dog does well, and all the things that are working, rather than only noticing when your dog does something undesirable (which so many people would label 'naughty').

Have we still not seen any pics of the lovely Pixie? :shock:
Jasper, lurcher, born December 2009
ScarletSci
Posts: 463
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:44 pm

Re: Sorry, have to brag about my baby!

Post by ScarletSci »

Thanks! That's part of the reason I wanted to write it all down - if I just focused on the chewing, the few accidents she had in the house.. all of the things we still need to work on, not only would I feel like I haven't done very well with her, but it would be hard to train her positively! Focusing on how well she's doing in many areas keeps us both happy :D

Nope, still no pictures I'm afraid! I have quite a lot on my camera now, but still haven't found the cables to connect it to my computer. But I'm having a deep clean today now that I'm on a break from uni, so keep your fingers crossed that I find them today! Can't wait to show her off, she's so adorable! :D
Suzette
Posts: 1518
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2011 6:45 am

Re: Sorry, have to brag about my baby!

Post by Suzette »

I love how much joy comes through in your posts for your pup! You have certainly done well and I can't wait to see some pictures of your little cutie!! :D
My avatar is Piper, my sweet Pembroke Corgi. b. 5/11/11
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