Pathway ~ B &W Sunday

Sometimes he really does pay attention...

I'm still working on getting reliability of behaviors from Skipper. The hardest thing with training right now is the fact that he has no wait period with his behaviors. Stay has been a challenge, but once he really gets it I know it will save our training. Right now he thinks every behavior I ask for only needs to be performed or held for a millisecond. Sit is a butt-bounce off the floor unless I add a stay at the end of it. Same for down. Spin is a lightening-quick whirl my eyes can barely follow. Shake is a violent outburst of one paw, quickly repeated if I don't click fast enough.

Funny and fortunate thing is I've finally gotten to a point where I enjoy this. Once I was able to finally let go of how I'd expected his learning process to go and learned how to flow with his behavior training became a lot of fun.

Quenya is so easy to train, and she is really one of those dogs that works with her human in a "Mom, I'm going to pay the closest attention possible to make sure I do this absolutely right and the way you want me to!" kind of way.

Skipper is more along the lines of "Woo, this is awesome! Give me a treat for this! No? What do you mean no? What if I do it again, and faster? What if I do it this way? Or that way? Okay how about this way AND even faster??! UGH. Human, what do you mean this isn't what you want? Fine, I'm just going to sit here and stare at you until you realize how worthy of treats that behavior I just offered was."

I can't really dictate our training sessions, I have to let him show me what he's in the mood to do. I thought that would mean we'd have to skip some behaviors, but with time I've realized that he'll eventually be in the mood to learn both the slow behaviors and the fast ones. The behaviors that require prolonged mental focus and the ones that can be performed in total ditz-mode.

After talking to some other terrier owners, both of the Rat and other varieties they have all confirmed that the one-year age mark is particularly difficult. I've been assured he'll mature into a much more confident, partnership-oriented dog than I'm seeing now. And for now I've learned to notice when Skipper is really trying to work with me. While rarer than I'd hoped, seeing them there now assures me that we can build on those moments to create a successful future.

I know I update this in every post, but I'm just so excited: Skipper and I start nosework this Sunday!! In three days! Superduper exciting!

 

Motion ~ Sepia Saturday

Wordless Wednesday ~Still Sibling Stances

Quenya's CGC Treat for Tasty Tuesday + Loving life and #FuelTheCure

Quenya got a very special treat for passing her Canine Good Citizen test on Sunday - a small recreational raw marrow bone from Primal! While I don't feed my dogs a raw diet for personal reasons (I see absolutely nothing wrong with it for most people) I'm not against the occasional raw treat, and as long as I leave a few hours between the treat and their meals, they do just fine tummy-wise! Quenya licked the marrow out and decided the bone itself wasn't worth bothering with. I gave it to Skipper to gnaw for an hour, and then Victoria. After it had been out about three hours I threw it away. The packaging says it's safe for quite a bit longer than that, but I wasn't comfortable having it out any longer--although at that point it was quite a clean looking bone!
A healthy diet is the first step to a healthy dog.

 

The second step to a healthy dog is exercise! Teach your dog to love the outdoors, and to love life. Quenya loves hiking. Our favorite trail is behind a local park where there is a winding path through the woods with interesting landmarks like this giant dirt wall, created by tree roots holding the earth upright.

 You come out of the winding path to a huge clearing, with grass the park personnel keep mowed short enough that I don't worry about snakes or ticks. Here I can let Quenya run free. It's a great place to play fetch with our ChuckIt and/or to practice our off-leash work in a non-home environment.

No, there isn't a dog in this one. It just shows a piece of the park's beauty!

 After the field, the path leads to a large creek. It varies in depth from quite a shallow wading area to an area deep enough for most dogs to swim. Quenya's favorite depth is above her chest, but still shallow enough for her feet to touch the bottom. We always play fetch in the creek--it's one of her favorite things in life!

Somehow I haven't gotten a good photo of her in the water here yet. I usually take her off leash and play fetch, and forget to use the camera!

We're also joining the Tasty Tuesday Blog hop!

Monday Mischief (or lack of it!)

SHE GOT IT! I'm so happy and proud of her! While the test instructor was incredibly nice and allowed everyone to do one item over at the end if we needed to, Quenya didn't need to redo any of the test options and she was just sososososoSO amazing. I really enjoyed watching the other dogs go through the test as well--one of them, a pittie-type named Olivia is actually in tricks class with us. She earned her CGC too! I always feel a little awkward around other dog people because there are just so many things about dogs to disagree on...haha. I really enjoyed the company of the other testers though, and for all that they were strangers to me save for Olivia's owner, I felt comfortable testing in front of them. There wasn't any kind of competitive vibe going on, which I was concerned about.

I've wanted to get Quenya's CGC certificate since I got her--I knew prior to acquiring her it was something I wanted to do with my next dog. Quenya is the first dog I've gotten "real" titles/awards on (I had 4-H agility titles on my dogs during high school, but they don't fall under any of the national organizations when I was doing it). She now has her NTD (soon to be ITD!) and her CGC. She's so amazing!

Skipper was not impressed with his sister's accomplishment.

Skipper is still a bit of  struggle. He isn't very food/toy motivated, and that means building a high-reliability recall continues to be a challenge. There are honestly days I wonder if we'll ever get there. He's only 10 months old, and I know part of it is just him being young and the world still being so new and interesting, but I've bought ten different kinds of treats in the past week and a half alone (no, I am not kidding) in an attempt to find something that he really will work for, with no luck. If we're not in our own yard, he's not motivated enough to leave whatever's distracting him. I'm sure it's just a matter of plugging away, enrolling in classes, and doing lots of research like we have been since the beginning. I have to remember I DID buy a terrier, and he is honestly what I want--he's just going to be a bit more work than my friends' Papillons, Corgis, and Shelties. It's so hard for me not to compare my own puppy's progress to other peoples! There was a 8 month old Golden Retriever that got her CGC today.

I'm proud of how far Skipper has come--most of my work thus far has been building and keeping a solid sociability, comfort in new environments, and self-confidence. We've gotten there, attained those goals. We'll get the rest of our obedience basics eventually.

Having a dog not motivated by food, fetch, or tug is DEFINITELY stretching me as a trainer/handler. I'll count that as a plus for experience gained :)

Going in for the CGC

Quenya will be going to CGC practice later this morning. While technically we don't have to take the test while we're there, I am really, really hoping I'm feeling good enough to try. I have a pretty stable outlook on life with my dogs and I'm really not obsessive about our official accomplishments, but Quenya is an amazing dog and honestly deserves this title. She's my superstar who is good in the city, at fairs, at events, when we're eating out...she's already an amazing canine citizen--let's hope after today it's official!

I've been a dog owner long enough though to know that Anything-Can-Happen is a real thing. She could throw up in the middle of our Down-Stay. She could develop a sudden intense interest in squirrel poop during her Come. She could have a serious ADHD moment during our Loose Leash Walk (she is definitely known to have these at the worst possible time) and forget everything I've ever taught her.

So I'm going into it with the whole hoping for the best/prepared for the worst attitude.

The Pupcrew's Post

It's not particularly dog-related, but I have to start off with: I GRADUATED! Hallelujah, I have my Bachelor's of Science in Psychology.  Hopefully this means I'll actually start writing more posts for this blog--I'll no longer have my creative tendencies sucked out of me by 14 page academic papers.

Inspired by several of the May blog prompts on BlogPaws, I'm sharing a little bit about what's going on in each of the dog's lives right now, and what's coming up over Summer.

From our vacation to the beach last year!

Ah, Quenya. She is, honestly, the perfect dog. She loves people, she's great with other dogs, she's a good listener and wants to please her people. She's slightly higher in the energy department than the "average" dog, but for me that's a plus. Truly, her only real behavioral downside is her dumpster diving tendencies if left unsupervised in the house for too long. The toughest problem with her is her allergies. They'll flare up for seemingly no reason at all, until I discover whatever new thing is in her diet or environment that is causing her fur to fall out, leaving behind red, oily patches of irritated skin. Spring is awful for her, poor itchy thing. She's lost a strip of hair along the backside of each of her hind legs. She's on a couple topical ointments/sprays, and I'll be switching her back to a Salmon based kibble, which always seems to help her get back on track.

Quenya has her Novice Trick Dog title, and we're currently in a class preparing us for her Intermediate Trick Dog title. We have 10 intermediate-level tricks prepared so far. We need a total of 12 in all and have two class sessions left, so I'm confident we'll be sending in our title submission soon! This Sunday we're also going to a practice session to see how far along Quenya is in Canine Good Citizen preparation. Loose leash walking is my only concern--I'm not 100% sure we're quite there yet. However I know within a month or so we'll be ready to take the test, as long as I'm diligent with our training! (I readily admit we aren't there with loose leash walking because it's one of my least-favorite things to practice).

My bicycle has been broken for several months now, and our bikejoring has been put on an indefinite hold :'(. Everything else is great, though!

Victoria has recovered amazingly well. It's hard to believe that building up to New Year's day she was immobile, full of pills, lying on a pillow after a visit to the veterinarian. Her pelvis fractured in several places, a corneal scratch and serious damage in one eye due to a prolapse at the time of accident, and, scariest of all, spinal nerve damage of uncertain severity. We weren't even sure she'd be able to walk again.
Five months later Victoria is running, jumping and playing almost as though the accident never happened. I've nixed our longer hikes as she does become weary on those--rather we walk in the city, sit in front of Starbucks together, and take the occasional visit to a well-groomed park. At home we play with tunnels, dog-walks, and small jumps (with full vet-okay) and love every minute of it! Agility and/or parkour type activities are the only training situations Victoria really enjoys--she's more of a "let's just go somewhere, explore, and then hang out" kind of girl--so it's wonderful that we can still do some of those things. I am so, so thankful.

Skipper has been doing great! He seems to finally be reaching the end of the darkest period of adolescence, and has started to show real interest in training once more. Recall still isn't perfect, but our stays are getting better and he's once again reliable with all the other behaviors I've taught him. We start Nose Work classes two weeks from this Sunday, and I'm so excited! I've been taking him out in the world more frequently lately, and bought an "I need space" button for his leash/collar at a local dog boutique. While it hasn't stopped every unwanted approach-n-pet, I do believe it has helped slow the rush. It also gives me something to point at to help clarify what I mean when I ask people not to pet him. Skipper definitely seems much more comfortable on walks and trips now that every person that passes us doesn't stop to coo at him.

Because I'm not sure I've ever discussed the issue I'll explain here: Skipper has anxiety about being petted by strange people. He doesn't care if they're around him, and if he's off-leash at the park he'll even go up to people sometimes, but he hates being approached by other people when he's on his leash. He'll cower away from them and try to move away. He isn't reactive or aggressive, but his anxiety is severe enough that I'll take very assertive steps to keep people from petting him if I have to. I've actually had to move someone else's reaching arms out of the way, pick him up and walk away because they didn't listen to my "he needs space, please don't pet him" request.

It's common for Rat Terriers to be one-person and/or one-family dogs, and I really have no desire to turn Skipper into a dog who loves everyone. All I want is for him to be completely comfortable in busy places, and for him to trust that I'll keep unwanted attention off his back. We're really getting there and I'm so glad of that!

I also took Skipper for his first swimming lesson at the river. He isn't scared of the water, but he doesn't particularly like it. I have a feeling that will change for him once he realized the full extent of Florida's Summer heat. It took Quenya four to five river visits before she fully embraced it, and I imagine the same thing will happen with Skipper.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Make Mementos

I do need to add a few words today. I'm posting this after another blogger reminded me of the fact that I'm going to want these photos some day, 10 or 15 years down the road, when this slick little ball of taupe, tan and white isn't around.I won't care then that my hair's messed up, or my arm looks weird. I'll care about the reminder of the precious moments we spent together.

Take pictures with your dogs.

52 Snapshots ~ Teach

"Wait" for Quenya loosely translates to "hold your current position". It's useful for hiking, obedience, and photography!

This year I've revamped my dedication relating to this concept (teaching) and my dogs. Quenya is currently enrolled in a class to earn her intermediate trick dog title, and (IT'S HAPPENING FOLKS!!!!) starting May 31st Skipper will be starting Nosework class! Also, Victoria's leg has healed well enough that we can do a modified sort of agility in our yard. We'll never compete, even at fun days like we used to--I won't put that kind of stress on her. But to be able to play a fun game in our yard...it's exciting that she's recovered so well! I can't wait to share our journeys as we continue on.

In the mean time, enjoy a look at Quenya's video from training class when she passed her Novice Trick Dog!

Skipper's Many Mischievous Faces

I know its picture time but...there something moving over there! Maybe if I just move my eyes she won't notice...

Ooh, now there's something moving up there!

Okay, okay, NOW I'll smile for the camera!

Black & White Sunday: Happy Mother's Day!

One of the reasons I'm able to be a good "mom" to the pupcrew is because I have an incredibly amazing mom myself; love you mom!

Wordless Wednesday

.

Tasty Tuesday ~ Treats on a Budget!

Through the course of dog ownership I'm very willing to admit I've done some terrible things. Most in ignorance, I admit and often to do with what I put inside my dogs' bodies.

Through awesome websites like Dogforum.com and through Google I discovered the problems with by-products, corn and certain grains. When I got Quenya a little over two years ago I had to re-think my doggy diet plans dramatically due to her rapid onset of allergy symptoms.

So, I then switched to Pet Botanics Mini Training Rewards and WOW, they were GREAT. Only 1 1/2 calories per treat, and meat was the first ingredient! Then...I found out that Pet Botanics sources from CHINA. I died a little on the inside.

Fortunately, a local discounted merchandise stores sells wonderful name-brand treats at even more wonderfully discounted prices. I have three dogs and I train all of them regularly. Two of my dogs have trouble keeping weight on and honestly benefit from the "supplement" of a generous amount of treats during training (Victoria not so much, so we have to be careful with her). I regularly seek out places to buy discounted treats. We buy mid-level dog food from a local farm supply (usually we alternate between Diamond Naturals and 4Health) and expensive chews from our local earth pet stores. Even working 5 days a week I rarely have a massive cash influx that allows me to buy treats online in bulk as some dog owners do. Catching a break with treats, which we use so frequently, is a huge relief. Usually I try to grab Zukes or Nutrisource treats, and then a freeze-dried or dehydrated super meaty larger treat to use as a jackpot reward. Most recently the store started carrying Nutrisca* Freeze Dried Raw bites in Beef and Chicken. My dogs go CRAZY over these things!

Ingredients: Beef w/Ground Bone, Beef Heart, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Apples, Chickpeas, Peas, Flaxseed, Chicory Root Extract, Cranberries, Salmon Oil, Dried Kelp, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Tocopherols, Vitamin D3 Supplement.

  The package advertises it's contents as having added vitamins and minerals, antioxidants to support immunity, natural enzymes to support digestion, natural fiber and prebiotics. Of course, made in the USA (and according to their website, if any of their package ingredients are sourced outside the USA they leave a statement on the package).

They make an amazing jackpot treat for the dogs. They come in large cubes so just one is enough to create that high level reward that otherwise would take several training treats. I've definitely noticed a sharper interest in training since I introduced them.

Another way I treat-on-a-budget is by using either free samples or the cheaper sample bags of high-quality kibble with proteins different from the proteins I'm currently feeding my dogs in their meal-kibble. We have three local earth pets stores and between them they are always offering samples for a trivial price, or often free. Because of my picky kibble-eaters I have a very strict meal schedule to ensure they eat their complete requirement for kibble each day. It helps them see eating as a "task" they have to complete in order to continue on to the rest of the day's activities. So I needed something easy, healthy, and cheap to be my lowest value treats. Sample kibble has been our staple in this area for several years. We often use the Orijin trial bags if there are no free samples.

One of our current sample kibbles

 So there you have it, how our household treats on a budget!


*I don't get anything from Dogswell on a regular basis due to their refusal to boycott Chinese manufacturing of dog food, but I'm reasonably comfortable with the contents of this package, and my dogs are absolutely bonkers for them.

A Secret Garden/ B&W Sunday

As a child I loved The Secret Garden by Frances H. Burnett. It was a book that enthralled me, chilled me and inspired my adventurous spirit simultaneously. Skipper and I were walking in a local garden recently and came across a low-walled "secret garden". I could see over the top easily, but for Skipper were were in a completely different world from the people around us. I'm not sure he found that concept as thrilling as I might have.