First Doggy Blog
We just completed our 2nd week of dog training 101 and with no exaggeration, the class is an eye-opener and at times, depressing. It's mind-numbing to realize how many things you can have done...
View ArticleArticle 18
Play time turned into an opportunity to practice a few more commands. Perhaps commands is too strong a word. Associations is better. I had just stumbled across the Dog Training Homework section on...
View ArticleArticle 17
An unusual dynamic at play with Gunnar. He gets TONS more affection from Mary, yet he is snapping at her, biting the leash, rolling over. I guess these are signs that he's trying to be the dominant...
View ArticleDay 2 -The Battle Continues
Today's walk was better than yesterday's, but Gunnar still spent a fair amount of time resisting the leash. Progress, but no overnight miracles here. We spent a good amount of time playing in the...
View ArticleWalking Adventures
Day 3 of controlled walking, and progress is being seen. That's not to say that Gunnar didn't challenge the control thing. In fact, he tried a new tactic today; trying to walk on my right side...
View ArticleDog Training, No. People Training, Yes.
I can't say that I've ever watched any of those Dog Whisperer shows, or others of that ilk, but I guess I thought "training" a dog would be sort of straight forward. After all, I grew up with lots of...
View ArticleIs Puppy Training Exhausting?
I wonder if others in the class are experiencing the same thing we are. Gunnar is exhausted after the class. Kinda' nice! Right now he wandered off into the bedroom and is sacked out, away from the...
View ArticleFirst Attempt at "Down"
Mary gave the command a shot. On the first attempt, he fought for about 3 minutes before giving in. Biting, jumping, turning, the whole range of tricks. The second attempt took only about 20...
View ArticleThe Stocking Thief
We lost a few socks this week. Gunnar is an opportunistic shredder. So, I put out a penny bottle setup for him. Sure enough, it didn't take more than a minute for him to spy the sock, and drag the...
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The Storm Before the Calm
I have to wonder what behaviours are hard-wired and which are just that, a particular behaviour. Gunnar continues to give strong resistance to Mary. I'm including a pic of tonight's work through the...
View ArticleWeather & Other Phenomenon
We had a VERY uneventful walk this afternoon, with virtually no pulling or straining at the leash. I'd like to chalk that one up to diligence in training regimen and consistent rewarding of positive...
View ArticleThrow-Fetch-Drop
Well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad! In Gunnar's case, the throw and fetch thing works well. In his case, the game becomes throw-fetch-chew. The goal seems to be to shred the tennis balls or devour the...
View ArticleTesting .....
Today we worked on leash management. Or, dog management via leash. Whatever! Through trial and error, I think I've concluded that for OUR dog at least, a series of short corrections works better...
View ArticleGunnar Goes to College
After some change of heart, we decided that Gunnar would accompany us to his sister, Bailey's graduation ceremony at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. There was a bit of anxiety being crated up on...
View ArticleThe Little Squirt
Legend holds that a spray bottle can be a useful tool in discouraging certain undesirable behavioiurs in dogs. Finding myself in the local Menard's store's garden section, I spied a spray bottle for...
View ArticleIt's all About Pacing Yourself
We had a few other dogs join the group for morning run on Saturday. Gunnar decided that he couldn't abide being BEHIND any other dogs, so he took off. That was fine and I was willing to let him run a...
View ArticleThe Shredder
I'm wondering if anyone else is having issues with their dog destroying stuff. We're not having so much of a problem with him trashing the house, but he'll tear the bedding in his crate into little...
View ArticleTaking the Dog Camping
For over 30 years our group of Wisconsin friends has been going for a week of camping at Rock Island State Park off the tip of Door County. With our children all grown or working, it looks as though...
View ArticleThe Dog is a Climber
Now over 40 pounds, Gunnar has developed a new bad habit, reaching up on to the kitchen counters. We've laid land mines for him in the form of socks or such tied to penny bottles, but he has learned...
View ArticleDriving Miss Doggy
I've been wondering what the best way to transport your little doggy might be. It has become apparent that an unrestrained pup in the car can be a distraction to the driver, or in the case of an...
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