Weekly Training Update (May 16)
I totally cried at the end of our class on Sunday. And, not from happiness. I was shook up and exhausted. I ranted Sunday about the final straw, but here’s the rest of the tale. …
-
-
Adventures in Dog Biscotti
As a special treat, I attempted some dog-friendly biscotti this weekend. It’s mostly peanut butter and whole wheat, and it looked pretty easy. I ended up making 2 batches because the
first one didn’t turn out so hot, and I’m pretty good in the kitchen, so here is my advice. … -
Weekly Training Update (May 9)
Lilly had two run-ins with dogs this week, but I’m happy to say that her responses were somewhat measured and appropriate. …
-
Weekly Training Update (April 25)
So that I don’t offend any readers with delicate sensibilities, just take a moment to pretend I’m cussing up a blue streak. Go ahead … I’ll wait. …
-
A new treat vendor we like
One of the problems with boutique dog bakeries is that the food, while super wholesome, rarely comes in training treat sizes. So, imagine my joy at meeting Judy Strickland at the pet
expo over the weekend. Her treats do some in tiny pieces suitable for near-constant rewards … like what I need for Lilly. I usually make my own training food, but sometimes I get busy.
… -
Weekly Training Update (April 18)
Two words sum up this week’s class: Total Overload
Last Sunday, Lilly and I went with Gigi and our classmates to a busy area in Boulder. The crowded commercial streetscape overflowed with people, dogs (some loose, some not), kids, strollers,
skateboards, bongo players, traffic (loud diesel trucks, louder motorcycles) and all manner of other nutty things.Lilly coped the best she could, but it was a tough, tough day. …
-
Weekly Training Update (April 11)
I’m beginning to wonder if Lilly’s current incarnation of shutdown, which is a slow response, is a true shutdown. …
-
More on Calming Music for Dogs
So, we’ve had our CD of special dog-calming music (Through a Dog’s Ear: Music to Calm Your Canine Companion) for a couple weeks now. It’s about an hour long, and I often put it on
repeat while I work and the dogs hang out. I think it’s found a happy home in their brains because I can turn it on and see nearly instant results. … -
Weekly Training Update (April 4)
I have a HUGE play training break-through to report. Last Saturday, Lilly’s new friend Katie (a baby Borzoi) came over to play. It’s only their second meeting, but Lilly actually played
and was SUPER sweet to Katie, with only the tiniest hint of the usual border-collie bossy thing. It felt like a miracle. … -
One for Lilly, One for Ginko
I experimented this week with Lilly’s play training. As I’ve mentioned, she usually does not play in front of other dogs, including Ginko at times. She has, however, learned that some
things simply do not interest him. And, in those cases, she’ll play fetch (or whatever) in front of Ginko. Sticks, for example, allude him. He does not get the point, so if he steals the ball, which
he often does, then Lilly finds a stick to play with instead. To see if I could combine a toy in which Ginko heretofore hasn’t shown interest with Give Me a Break …