My new rescue pooch - Page 5 - Orchid Board

Lagoon · #41 06-08-2010, 10:32 PM

OMG!! He's gotta have one of the cutest faces I've ever seen!! That lil dude is priceless!! what a cutie pie

I'm glad you have him now Tracy - you have given that boy a second chance at life - You are his hero

I wish you both many years together, Have a happy life

LinhT · #42 07-01-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagoon

I wish you both many years together, Have a happy life

Thanks, Gloria!

Just an update on my hyper little guy. We go out for walks at least once a day and that really helps him calm down. I think I'll need to put up a fence in the backyard though. He doesn't just want to walk, he wants to RUN. Every time he sees some furry rodent outside he wants to chase after it. He went from 13 pounds a month ago to 16.2 pounds today at the vet office and looks quite muscular compared to when I first got him.

I've been reading up on proper dog walking and how they should walk behind you or next to you. I just can't get him to do that. He wants to walk quickly and is sooo happy to be outside walking or running. Being locked up in a bathroom most of his days by his previous owner and being able to go outside to play and walk at least once a day now, I guess, is a really big change for him. I'm trying hard to get him to calm down and be more obedient outside but I think it's gonna take some time.
017 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
020 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

jkofferdahl · #43 07-01-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinhT

Thanks, Gloria!

Just an update on my hyper little guy. We go out for walks at least once a day and that really helps him calm down. I think I'll need to put up a fence in the backyard though. He doesn't just want to walk, he wants to RUN. Every time he sees some furry rodent outside he wants to chase after it. He went from 13 pounds a month ago to 16.2 pounds today at the vet office and looks quite muscular compared to when I first got him.

I've been reading up on proper dog walking and how they should walk behind you or next to you. I just can't get him to do that. He wants to walk quickly and is sooo happy to be outside walking or running. Being locked up in a bathroom most of his days by his previous owner and being able to go outside to play and walk at least once a day now, I guess, is a really big change for him. I'm trying hard to get him to calm down and be more obedient outside but I think it's gonna take some time.
017 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
020 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Some dogs are easier to completely train than others. My old dog, Cody, was a charm. He's docile and easy-going. Really, with him it was a matter of gaining his trust, and once I had that he was eager to do anything I asked. After a couple of training lessons he began to get excited and happy when he knew it was work time, and now, 12 years later, he still will do whatever I ask (when he can hear me, that is, poor old fellow!).

Sully (my avatar picture) is quite different. He's a large, agressive, territorial animal who wants to be the alpha of the household. Thus, when he first came to my house, at the age of about a year, both the other dogs and I were in for a challenge. Whereas with Cody it took maybe a 15-minute training session each day, with Sully I was pretty much in a full-time dog training position when not at work. It also necessitated me being both more agressive and more domineering with him (which, with a dog, is very counter to my normal behavior).

The end result, however, has been excellent. When Sully and I first start on our walks he can be a bit excited, and so I have to remind him a few times of who is walking whom. But he quickly calms down and walks at my side with slack in the leash - a feat my wife once declared would never happen! And he no longer tries to be alpha with either Juli or me, though he does want to be alpha among the dogs and with visitors to the house. He responds to both my hand gestures and my spoken commands, and I can honestly say that he is a happier pet now that he has learned the rules. Dog training is more about the animal learning who is in charge than about the specific commands - they are vastly intelligent animals and can quickly pick up the commands, but will only obey when they learn that they are never the one in charge (yeah, just like with our children).

I'm not suggesting harsh, stiff-armed dominance of the dog, just assertive behavior. If you give an animal a command with a question in your voice, or even a thought that they might not obey, they won't obey. If they know that you simply expect obedience a dog will always and quickly obey you.

You have a beauty, and I have no doubt that he will soon be walking on the leash with all of the manners you expect of him!

WhiteRabbit · #44 07-01-2010, 02:14 PM

I expect your dog is just excited to go for a walk, and as you said he has a lot of energy, so he wants "to go!"
He lived in a bathroom previously, so it's understandable. Head collars work well if walks are problematic. Also - you can frequently and suddenly turn around and walk in the opposite direction. Remember to praise and reward when he walks with a slack leash.

phearamedusa · #45 07-02-2010, 11:37 PM

He's a cute little guy. You're a wonderful person for rescuing him, and he will repay you in many wonderful ways. Good luck with everything.

peggypugsmom · #46 07-03-2010, 10:27 AM

Yukki is an incredibly lucky little guy; and his face is amazing! I just watched your wonderful videos of him. I think the 2 of you will have very happy together!... Another little soul saved!.. (Watching him just standing there with his harness on in the one picture...listening to the sounds, looking around; after living in a bathroom must think he's on another planet!...new sounds and smells and so much to look at...and of course, LOVE!)

LinhT · #47 07-07-2010, 09:25 PM

Thanks for the advice and encouragement, everyone! The walking situation has gotten significantly better. He gets very excited at the beginning of the walk so I have to stop a couple times and tell him "wait". After that, he walks next to me for the rest of the walk. That is, until he sees furry rodents or other dogs. He still whines a bit when he sees other people but he keeps walking. When he sees squirrels and rabbits his 'prey drive' takes over and he's ready for the chase. So I have to pull on the leash harder and he keeps walking. When he sees other dogs he wants to go meet and sniff them.

He's never growled or been mean to any other dogs but some of the dogs we've met don't like him and show their teeth. He seems to have a really good memory and is very sensitive to the tone of my voice. He's chewed on some to the NOID orchids in the living room when I'm not home. Thank goodness I keep the neos in my bedroom. All things have gradually improved more and more each day. The separation anxiety is no longer an issue. He still gets excited when I come home from work but doesn't go nuts and "talk loudly" the way he did before. I would appreciate any other advice on training. He's definitely a "full time" training little guy.

WhiteRabbit · #48 07-07-2010, 09:35 PM

aww - I'm so glad he's settling in

My training advice is mainly - dogs are always learning, so make sure they learn what you want, and not what you don't lol
and also - that you are never "done" training since they are always learning

Mostly - reinforce good behaviour even after he has "learned" it, and try not to reinforce bad behaviour, cos he'll remember

Hedge · #49 07-08-2010, 05:32 AM

I agree with White Rabbit - good behaviours need constant reinforcing and even "good" dogs who always behave like to be appreciated!

On the prey response thing, my whippet cross likes to chase hares and rabbits, and even pheasants, and it is impossible to stop her doing this when she is off lead, but she has never caught anything, as she comes back as soon as I call. We find chasing a tennis ball to be a good way of tiring her out and dulling the response down, and some one told me that if you can distract a dog before they go "alert" then you can avoid the chasing but your timing has to be very good (and it can make you stressed out, watching all the time.)

Remembering the other dogs that sound off when you pass them on the lead is a common experience also, it's like some dogs just hate yours on sight, and make sure that you know, and then your dog remembers and gets anxious about that dog if they pass too close. Cooperative people tend to cross the street if they know their dog is the one that triggers the behaviour, which in some ways doesn't help their dog overcome its fear. I have found that some so called aggressive dogs are much better behaved in an off lead situation where both dogs can assess each other and back off if they want to.

I am glad your rescue dog is giving you so much pleasure and I hope you have many years together