A Little Diddy and the Saturday Blog Hop

Fiona and Zappa and the singing Daddy

(Please excuse our camera)

No Daddy, not that song again.

Let me stop you right there...

Kisses  Zappa, get his mouth real good.

Let me tell you a little secret, try singing some Clapton.

He won't stop.  Yawn, Zappa, Yawn!

Sorry Mom, we gave it our best shot, but he just keeps making the words up as he goes.

 

Chance, My Working Dog

As the weather gets cooler, the dogs get friskier and it becomes a chore to walk them.  This is the time I start incorporating pulling into their routines. 

Yesterday I had Chance pull me on the bike.  I decided to take him by himself, because one dog is easier than two and I wanted him to show me what he had.  He took off into a strong run with no problem for the first quarter mile.  When we got to the next road he went between a run and a strong trot.  I encouraged the trot because running through the neighborhood there is the possibility of another dog out running loose.  We lucked out, no dogs.  Turning him around was difficult, but easier with one dog.  Now came the real test, was he going to get back in the groove of pulling after the turn around?  He did.  He began to pick up speed and continued running and trotting.  My goal, other than hanging on for dear life, was teaching him to slow down, stop and go.  All of which he did fine.  We turned down another road where we had to turn around and he did even better on the turn around.  It helped that I didn't come to a complete stop for our U-turn, and it began to click in what I was asking him to do.  He only stopped a few times and he brought me home safe and sound. 

I really let him run the show by encouraging what he was already doing.  If he was trotting I would praise him for what he was doing.  If he was feeling comfortable running I would encourage that as well in the same way.  I haven't used much in the way of commands, except for stop.  He knows what "Stop" means walking and he is beginning to make a connection what it means while pulling.  All in all it was a good, safe ride and one I would like to continue working with him on. 

I'm learning right along with him.  This is all still very new to me as well.  Chance's work attitude helps in completing a task with him.  He takes all his jobs very seriously and is a great student, making me want to be a better teacher for him.  Even with one dog it is amazing how fast they can run and I find being pulled a little scary. The speed makes me feel out of control and it doesn't help going through the neighborhood either as I find myself concentrating on Chance more than what's going on around me.  This is why I try to encourage trotting because it makes it easier to scope the area and keep an eye on Chance.  I'm beginning to see real potential with Chance.  I am amazed with his commitment to his mission and how he takes his responsibilities seriously.  He is like that with everything.  The boy is dedicated which makes him a real joy to work with.      

A sweet award from Roo

We received an award from Roo that says:

Because you do so many heart warming things for others...

I made this award to give to you.

XOX

Roo

Thank you Roo for such a sweet and thoughtful award.  We appreciate all that you do.  Thank you for thinking of us.

24 Paws of Love

The Miracle of Clicker Training

Clicker training has got to be one of the most brilliant training techniques I have ever used.  Brut was still very young, hyper and driven with fear when I found this ad on the computer, telling me I could control and train any problem dog.  The ad didn't reveal anything about the method used, just that it could solve any dog problem.  I was quite desperate at the time and order it.  It was clicker training and it has been a life saver.

Chance is quite high strung and panics when there is a change in routine or something new.  Riding in the truck or car is high anxiety for Chance.  My truck is a single cab with a bench seat and Chance will whine and pace which can be dangerous.  We were taking a longer ride then normal the other day, I happened to have treats in my pocket and told him to sit,  then I clicked (I click with my tongue), and gave him a treat.  He instantly calmed down and focused.  I did this a few more times, he began to relax, sticking his nose out the window and watching the scenery go by.  Every so often on our trip whenever he was sitting or laying down, I would give him a treat for reinforcement for his good behavior.  The whole ride was like magic.  Just like that his fears and anxiety were taken care of.  Clicker training gave him the security he was looking for and he could rest assured there was nothing to fear.  I have heard of a book called, "Click to Calm," and even though I've never read it, I believe it is along these same principles.

Chance calm and chewing his bone

If I had any doubts and needed more confirmation on this wonderful technique.  Daddy came home and took Blaze with him for a ride.  Chance was bouncing all over the place and was an anxious mess, because he watched Daddy take Blaze and left him.  Chance has strong abandonment issues.  The whole house was actually in a raucous because they were all hoping for a ride with Daddy.  Normally when Blaze leaves with Daddy, Chance paces and races around outside and in the house, until he emotionally crashes. Remembering my success in the truck, I ask Chance to sit, then clicked and reward.  He was instantly at my feet.  He went from panic to calm in seconds.  I did this a few more times and then he grabbed a bone, laid at my feet and we watched TV.  Calm, relaxed and secure, it gave him a sense a of knowing what to expect.  I watched his fear and anxiety melt away and he became centered.  The wonders of this simple, effective technique are endless as I have begun to use them with Fiona and Zappa to stop harassing our cat, Boxer.  Just a couple of times in the last couple of days and the results have been fabulous.

Clicker training is more than just a treat.  It comes down to when you ask your dog to do something and they get it right, there is a reinforcement of understanding what they are suppose to do.  I have used it on all the dogs for basic training and when I'm teaching something new.  I am just starting to learn how to resource it in other areas, like anxiety and correcting bad behavior.  I'm beginning the learn how valuable this tool is and the possibilities that exist. My mind is already reeling on how it can be incorporated with bringing the two packs together.  Wouldn't that be something?  It is amazing to me how powerful and beneficial this approach is yet so kind and gentle.  I am simply impressed and would recommend it to anyone. 

What are your feelings on clicker training and have you ever used it before?

**24 Paws Favorites:  Paul Owens, "The Dog Whisperer" teaches clicker training and breaks it down into bite size pieces, making it even easier to learn. 

DOGS ARE THERE

One thing I love about the dogs is that they are there for us.  They are truly there.  I am usually home all day with them while Daddy works and I can go through a wide variety of emotions through the day.  I am still in awe by their generosity and unconditional love.  How they want to be so much a part of our worlds and into everything I do.  Their silly and touching moments to make me smile.  Their ingenious games that test my wits and make me laugh.  They cuddle when I need someone to hold, even at times when I may not realize I need it.  They soak up my tears and always, always understand.

Each dog has many unique qualities they have taught me how to help express my feelings.  Here are some of my favorites:  When I'm feeling angry, Brut and I play fight, challenging each other.  When I need to be nurtured, Silver suddenly appears.  Fiona bumps the palm of my hand or thigh with her nose when I have done something that really makes her happy.  Chance always plops down right next to me when I need someone close.  Blaze lets me nurture her by giving her kisses on the forehead.  Zappa makes me feel special when he claims my lap, because he's Daddy's dog. 

I am still amazed by how they respond to me and how they always seem to know what I am feeling and what I need.  They are in tune with me and usually know my needs before I do.  My list of favorite things about each dog, doesn't begin to slice the surface of the many things they do and mean to me.  The gifts they give are endless, that's why it's called unconditional love.     



     

SMILE!

Hope everyone is having a great day!

The Best Part About Having Dogs...(besides the Sat. Blog Hop)

NEVER HAVING TO DO DISHES AGAIN!!

Yum!  Yum!  Ready for the plates Mom!

The Strangest thing happened today

                       We already know we are strange and now we've an award to prove it!

Thanks to Roo and Hound Girl, for this awesome award!  How fitting to receive it from two of the strangest dog bloggers out there! 

Strange always knows it's own.

 

Here are the rules:
1. Add the logo of the award to your blog post
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3. Nominate seven other blogs telling us why you think the recipient is strange enough to deserve the award.

If you've ever owned a Sibe, you know your strange!  Here are 5 of our favorite strange Sibe blogs:

The Thundering Herd
The Chronicles of Woo
The Painter Pack
Team Husky
Five Sibes

Large breed dogs are a favorite around here. (can you tell?)  There's definitely something strange enough about these smaller breeds that enhance our strangeness:

Nico and Bandit
Busy, Busy Buttons

4. Leave a message for those nominated on their blogs.  Considered yourselves warned. 

We dig being strange!