Maggie's Training
Even though Maggie already knew all of the commands taught in beginner obedience, it was interesting to see how the classroom dynamic affected her. It was like she knew that she was in class and needed to be on her best behavior. She did really well but she was always the class clown trying to get the other puppies to play. It was funny to see a 6 month old cattle dog acting more mature and serious than Maggie. But she did everything asked of her. In the outside "Around Town" training, it was the complete opposite. She just completely shut down. She would not interact. She sat behind me and refused to look a me or the other dogs. Did not want to play. Would not take any treats. People who knew her from the beginner class were so surprised. It was really clear that she is fearful. I think maybe the street noise was hard to ignore. The class was practicing leave it but for Maggie, I was trying hard to get her to take it. I think this will be a really good class for her. Or at least, she really does seem to need it. She only regained her composure at the end of class when we let them into a fenced area to play offleash. Then she was once again a happy, playful girl. I took her to the dog park after as a reward for enduring a very stressful class. With the private lessons, our first strategy was to try and get her to go away from the door to get a treat. Being away from the door seemed to increase her drive and desperation. Maybe with months and months of slow practice, we would have progress but it was really frustrating for both of us. She is just way too amped. The second strategy though seems to be working. When she greets someone at the door, as soon as she goes to jump up, she gets whisked outside and the door is shut with her leash in it. Suddenly she is on the wrong side of the action. A couple times of that happening and you could see her stop herself from jumping up. Then she actually started leaving the front door area, like she did not want to risk it. On leash, she is getting pretty good at loose leash walking even without a gentle leader head collar. The two big problem areas are squirrels and cats but I have been able to lure her attention back using really yummy treats. I thought she wasn't treat motivated but I have learned she just did not love my treats (or sometimes she is afraid). So tonight I was able to loose leash walk Chum, Maggie and Baggins because I had a bag filled with good treats and whomever stuck with me got plenty. It was fun. So this whole training process has really been an education far beyond just the teaching of various commands. I feel like I am developing a better understanding of my dog. |
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| Good job Val! And Maggie too!
We had the front door issue with Mopsy and I never entirely worked it out but it was mainly barking and not jumping. Still unpleasant though. 
Harry and I are still working on the pulling issue but he is far better than he was. Some days I am not in the mood for training and that is the wrong attitude.  |
| Wow. Sounds like you and Maggie are really going through some great bonding and understanding here. Good stuff. I love it.
And the strategy for the door....Ha ha ha...It is negative punishment in the best form. Any form of punishment should always be consistent and meaningfull. Looks like both are at work here, and Maggie is not one to be left out...LOL...That is very important to a nosey social butterfly..I can jsut see her all alone outside..."What just happened?"  |
Wonderful to hear you and maggie progressing with the training. Love the fact you are also doing the "Around Town" aspect too.  That is just the best to get them use to different situations and learn to listen to your commands & training you are both learning.
When a youngster is in our house, after all the innoculations, that is the first thing I do. "Around Town" all situations from busy streets with lots of people to lots of cars whizzing past, new sounds, noises, situations. I even have them sit in the car while I popped into a shop just to let them sit and watch all going on in a busy car park. The more you do things like this, wether a youngster or older, takes time to get them use to all the different noises and situations going on around them, but well worth it as it makes them so adaptable to all surroundings, noises and situations
Well done Val and Maggie you are getting there and so wonderful to hear how she is progressing to advance to being an out and about Town girl, sitting nicely & happy, watching the world go by, while mom has her latte.  |
| this is great that you and Maggie are doing so well Val. perhaps I should try that leash in the door trick, Dutch just wants to jump all over anyone that comes to the door. when I'm having company come in I just put her in her crate for about 5 min. untill she settles but it would be nice if she could greet people with me |
| That's just great, Val! Kinda surprised me that social butterfly Maggie was intimidated by the great outdoors. It always amazes me how we think we know our dogs SO well, they something happens and we just scratch our heads.
Keep up the good work, Maggie! And kudos, Val, for helping her get through the next hurdle! |
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