Socialization

In Kobe's class, we worked on socialization and being aware of your dog's signs. I've noticed that Kobe can be reserved around several dogs. He was very shy when on his own and looked towards me for reassurance. Because of his submissiveness, the other dogs ganged up on him. Nothing aggressive but it stressed Kobe out and he pooped in the classroom. That's my boy!

Here's a picture of him in class.

Kobe's night was not a bust. We spent some quality cuddling time at home. At one point, Kobe was napping using Sage's back legs as a pillow as she curled up around him.

Here's a video of the dogs hanging out on the deck. The weather is getting warmer and the snow is melting in the yard. Mud season is about to start.

Beginning of Spring

This weekend was beautiful. Jeremy took Kobe running on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was a quick run, but Sunday was a little longer. Kobe took a nap after the run on Sunday.

Fun to be Home

My computer crashed at work from a virus. The IT guy already has a long to do list, including re-building one of the other computers so I'm working from home. I just checked to see what the dogs were up to while I'm working and this what I found.




I've heard that you shouldn't get a dog to be companion for another dog, but some dogs are meant for multi-dog families.

Deck Loungin'

At lunch, it was sunny and about 40 degrees and the dogs were sitting on the deck. I grabbed my camera to take a picture and they move. The pictures always load backward, so look from the bottom to the top. It will make more sense.

The neighbor dog is barking.
Kobe in begging mode, "Please play with me!"
Kobe is too young to appreciate loungin'; he's all about play, play, play!
The queen on her throne, while her jester plays in the yard.
Hey suckas!

Naughty Boy

I started the morning with Kobe barfing on me. Not my favorite way to start the morning. I adore my little man, but some days he tries my patience. Everything is a toy to him. You think he's chewing on one of his toys instead he's chewing on a sock or a shoe.

In class this week, we worked on sit-stay and lay down-stay. He needs a lot of work on lay down -stay and I think I have a better understanding on how to encourage him. We worked on leave it and I can't wait to practice that more. We've decided to use "okay" instead "stand" as the command to release them from their previous command. Sage has a difficult time understanding it. I worked with Sage and Barkley on sit, lay down, stay. Of course, she wants her treat and responds with one of those responses. When she follows through on the command, I give her a treat, tell her "Good Girl" and "Okay" then coax her out of her position with treats. It's a lot easier with Kobe.

This video was taken a month ago.

Playing in the Yard

Here's a video of the dogs playing on the deck while my husband shovels snow.

Commands, Treats, Praise and Toys

Last week, we attended the Fur Rondy Mutt Show. The dogs loved the attention from other dogs and people. Kobe picked up a new tug toy.

Jere and I are working with the dogs on commands. Kobe and Sage are good at sit and lay down. They're slow with watch me and stay. We're supposed to work on the Name Game and 1-2-3 Sit, but we haven't yet. I've been trying to teach Kobe Shake; he likes to tap when he's bored so when he does I take his paw and say Shake. I think I would get a better response if I gave him treats. We both know that if a dog isn't responding to commands it's human error. When we have the dogs sit or lay down, we need a command for them to stand back up. I prefer not to use up, because I use up, up, up to have them jump into the SUV or the bed. I think we should use stand. The only difficulty is the dogs immediate go to sit or lay down when they see treats.

I bought a bunch toys for the dogs. Kobe needs a lot of stimulation and I wanted to get some toys for Sage too. She's never really responded to toys, but she does have some favorites. We also got Kobe a new cage twice the size of his kennel. He's doesn't like being caged, but I was able to get him in the room with some treats and that's progress.