AGILITY TRAINING



the long tunnel

jumping barrel

stackable jump or go around

the short tunnel

ramp

jumping bar





This is the Back Dogs agility equipment.  This has always been a fun activity for us.  I started when Zappa and Fiona were about four or five months old.  They loved it and it was hilarious to watch.  They are all excellent at it.  Although Silver will only do it if Brut isn't there.  She loves to jump.  

When Zappa and Fiona were young, I trained them separately from Brut and Silver.  Then I did them all as a group.  I always used treats, until Brut's possessiveness kicked in full tilt.  Then I started to do Brut separately from the others.  If you read my post Why Didn't I Think of That, you'll remember that I use treats for much of my training, but Brut's food possession was getting out of hand and then a light bulb went off and I realized that I didn't need the use of treats. Brut's demeanor stays happy, which meant everyone was happy.

So I tried today doing the agility training without the use of treats.  Nothing formal, just weaving it in during play.  I made sure I gave Brut the first couple of commands, so he would know I had no food and my reward was a happy voice and scratching the side of his head. It worked.  I didn't click so that meant there was no food.  He may have been confused for a minute, but he stayed happy and relaxed.  It was great.  The pressure was off.

Usually the other dogs stay away when we do the agility course with Brut.  Sometimes Zappa or Fiona will tag behind Brut at a distance doing it on their own.  Today Fiona was being the brave one.  So I had Brut and her jump the barrel.  What I discovered was amazing.

Brut jumped...

Then Fiona jumped...with Brut right there!

Then they went down for play...

And Brut POUNCED!!

They chased each other around the yard and had a blast.  I am still blown away by the success of not using treats and the clicker training.  It is like watching a drug addict get clean and sober.  I can not begin to explain the feeling of watching Brut turn into a monster over food.  Or the complete difference in his body language that is now engaged with fun and positive energy.  Even Fiona was relaxed.  It is going to take some time for Zappa, Fiona and Silver to begin to trust Brut's actions again, but I believe we are on the right path.  Once the Back Dogs are in harmony the possibilities are endless in reuniting the Front Dogs with them.  Each day brings that chance even closer.  What a journey this has been and we are just getting started!

        



"Four on the Floor" by Daddy

Brut's "Four on the Floor"

Just a little more to the left, then I think I've got it!

I was accompanied by Brut today for my ride to work.  When he comes with me in the car, he always trying to tell me what to do for the first ten or fifteen miles.  Then he finally realizes that it doesn't matter what he says, I'm the one who's driving. 

When we stopped at the gas station, Brut did what we call his "Four on the Floor," (leaving his scent mark by scraping the ground with his paws)  and they were pretty forceful.  Each time we stop at this particular gas station he really puts his heart into changing the landscaping, kicking the mulch all over the place.   

Maybe he is hoping to get a job doing the mulch work at the gas station.  So far the owner hasn't seen his fancy foot work but then that's probably a good thing. :)   

Can you guess what we're doing?

We're sharing ice cream with Mommy!

From a spoon! BOL

We love our special Front Dog treats with Mommy.

Brut Trust

Look at this perfect pose!

FOCUS, MOM, FOCUS!!

Brut and I have this incredible bond.  Daddy says it is because we are so much alike! Our strongest bonding time is during our solitude walks.  We'd both been lacking in them because I wasn't feeling well last week and we were both getting rather grouchy about it.  :)

So today we took off for our favorite park.  Brut was full of pent up energy and frustration and I planned for that.  I threw on his harness and grabbed a piece of firewood for him to pull.  The wood weighed seven pounds.  It worked out perfect for him to pull.  It was enough to slow him down, but not so much that it is a strain.

You really can't expect TWO perfect poses!

 

We went around the park once without the wood then circled back so I could hook him to it.  He definitely needed the extra weight and I needed a steady pace!  We took the very back trails that are usually empty as the front trails had a visitor with their dog.  As soon as we were alone in the woods, we fell in sync with each other.  Literally and spiritually.  Brut's anxious eyes began to calm with mine.  There was an overall sense of content and connection, like we were the only two beings on Earth.  There was little said vocally, but our communication was immense. 

I have found through many walks by following Brut's body language to know what is going on around me.  This is key for knowing if there is something ahead.  It is also how we unify through the leash.  We were in harmony with each other and became one being with a fluid movement.  All of our anxieties melted into the forest ground.  We were in tune with each other.  This trust would be significant when we came to our fork in the road.

The Chosen Path

Brut and I are at our best when we are alone.  Remember I mention another visitor with their dog?  I know the trails inside and outside.  So does Brut.  We had a choice to make: take trail A which heads straight through the park and the front paths, with the possibility of running into the dog or take trail B that leads around the park thus avoiding the possibility.  So I asked Brut and he lead me down trail A.  A little ways down the trail, I was getting worried, I didn't want to run into the other dog.  I told Brut we needed to turn around.  He insisted continuing on.  I gave in to the trust and all knowing.  We have made these decisions before together.  There are times he needs to trust me and there are times when I need to trust him.  I chose to believe, so I followed him.

We hiked the rest of the trail and when we came to the end, we found the visitors were gone.  It was an incredible feeling.  To be able to let go and let him take the lead.  That's how in tune we were.  If he would have sensed something and his demeanor changed, I would have turned around, but we stayed in complete sync and balance with each other.  Our walk was like a cleansing of our souls while we listened to each other with our hearts.  Each synchronizing with other.  We were at peace as we aliened.  It is a spiritual high that will carry me for a long time.  It isn't the first, it won't be the last and that is the beauty of it.    

Monday Memories- Blaze's goodbye story

Here's Grumpy singing his heart of for Blaze.  Blaze ducked down to hide her tears as she knows this is her last day here and doesn't want to leave her family.  Everyone is sad and Grumpy just needed to belt out his sorrow. 

Maybe she knew then, what we didn't. She was never meant to leave in the first place.

Thank goodness our baby girl is home now. 

You can read Blaze's story here.

Blogging Thanks and the Sat Blog Hop

We at 24 Paws of Love would like to shout out a big THANKS for all of the wonderful animal bloggers out there making a difference in our lives. 

We started this blog for the love of our dogs only to find many others doing the same.  What a wonderful gift finding other crazy animal lovers like ourselves to share in our passion for animals.

We are enjoying the blogging journey and all the great Paws of Love that are out there.

And now let's meet old friends and new at:

AND THE WINNER IS...

We'd like to thank those that gave their comments on the latest Front Dogs vs. the Back Dogs.  We would say it's close, but the Back Dogs seemed to made a bigger impression.  It seems to be what pushed it over the edge was Silver being Daddy's heating pad.  As you can see, she took on that job at a very young age. 

Silver at three months old.

And the challenge continues...

Stay tuned for the next battle of

the Front Dogs vs. the Back Dogs

The Back Dogs-Daddy's Little Helpers

The Front Dogs put us Back Dogs to the challenge of who's the better helper for Mommy and Daddy.

(see previous post or go here)

Well, anyone can eat and wash dishes and lay around.

 We are helping Daddy with REAL work. BOL

Check this out Front Dogs!!

Mr. Brut, the Handy Dog is a hammering fool for Daddy...

Working as a team to keep the squirrels out of the woodshed...

Zappa's Excavating Services...

Fiona helps with Back Seat Navigating...

And we can do one better than just warming the bed...

Silver is keeping Daddy warm!

Take that Front Dogs!!!  BOL