Buddy's such a good boy!

Spyglass Sally · 06-15-2009, 02:46 PM

My whole day has basically revolved around training with almost 6 month old, Buddy. Starting with practicing Stay, then Heel with walks throughout the day. I’ve also been “leaving” the house and then correcting him if he barks or trips the mousetraps on the couch. (He doesn't get hurt by them, he pushes the couch to make them bounce & trip so he can grab a pillow) Glad to say only one episode of that after over an hour and a half of “exits” for times up to 15 – 20 minutes. That's a real improvement from a few days ago when we couldn't really leave him alone much at all.

A few minutes ago someone knocked on the door and needed to come onto our porch because he had dripped paint from the condo unit above. I put Buddy into a Stay to answer the door, and kept him in Stay as the man entered our unit and proceeded with is work. He sat there quietly quivering, really wanting to bolt, but being such a good boy. Only after he left did I release Buddy, at which time he bounded over to the closed door to smell whatever he could. WOW! I never would have believed he could do that before Saturday, when our trainer started us with that command. The man has to come back later to finish up something, so we’ll get another practice session.

I'm so proud of him and just had to share!

whitedaisy · 06-15-2009, 03:50 PM

Wow that is really good!!! Good job Buddy!!

I know my 5 month old Poppy can't hold a stay that well, actually, neither can Daisy... that wiggle butt just doesn't stick to the floor so well when company comes!!

mgrey · 06-19-2009, 09:25 AM

that's an awesome trick - with the mousetrap! Maggie is so great when we leave except she jumps on our leather couches- so now she has to be in her crate because she scratches them... I'll have to try to this. So no possiblity that they would get hurt?

Spyglass Sally · 06-19-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgrey

that's an awesome trick - with the mousetrap! Maggie is so great when we leave except she jumps on our leather couches- so now she has to be in her crate because she scratches them... I'll have to try to this. So no possiblity that they would get hurt?

I wouldn't say "no possibility", since I don't know how big your dog is, but these particular traps are plastic and must work by just grabbing & suffocating the mouse because they don't seem to snap down hard - at least to us. We started with them when Buddy was 3 months old and I think he just hates the sound of them snapping so he stays clear.

I know some folks are opposed to any sort mousetrap, which they view as "negative" training, but with Buddy & his temperament, these have been very effective in marking "our territory" without ever hurting him. In fact, like I wrote above, the problem may be he's not respecting them enough and sometimes games them into going off. Anyway, our trainer recommended traps and we are happy with them. When we're not around they remind him of the rules and also tip us off if he's broken them.