Wednesday, May 19, 2010

whoooo hoooo!

I walk each dog separately in the morning so they get alone time with me...just a slow walk around a couple blocks each.  It's so sweet, the other ones watch in the window and wait patiently for their turn.

Each get alone time with me.  They check their peemail...we work on loose leash walking, and our obedience cues (stays, interrupted recall,  bonk, walking around them, front, goofy tricks), then after each have had their turn.... games in the backyard before I leave for work.

My little George and I were walking along and he initiated LOOKING AWAY from a dog that was... BARKING AT HIM!

George's signature snobby but effective "look away" :P


THEN very calmly and slowly looked at me without a peep :) We played the 'show me" game while dog in yard barked his head off...then slowly walked away.

A few minutes later we passed another dog (still body posture, thankfully w/owner) and we stopped to play "show me"....same relaxed tail and relaxed face! He even offered up a PLAY BOW without me cuing him to do so!!!!! No signs of stress!

YIPEEE!!!!! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HAPPY THIS MAKES MEEEEEE!

2 comments:

Cynthia said...

Awesome! The play bow is a big deal! I love his look away too.

I'm curious: how do your other dogs wait so patiently? I've recently discovered that Gustav is really attached to Dottie and whines and cries while we're gone together. When we get back, Gustav runs past me to greet Dottie. I'm not sure how to address this.

Kate and Rob said...

separation anxiety protocol, insert dog when you see human :P

it's common. one of the reasons, besides alone time with me that I take each dog out in am separately.

George and Keegan went through the same thing. Keegan worst than George. Every day even now they each spend time alone separate from the others, and alone time with me. Wags the last foster was overbonded to me, so I had him spend time each day with Darrell and alone and with other dogs...so he could develop his own identity...and confidence that he had the skills to deal with the situation independently. Always starting in really short increments (leave and come right back...then extend the time gradually) No big hello coming back into the room, ignoring them. That way their bodies don't ramp up when they see you.