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Demoting Digit!
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:lol: love it
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D-Day +5
I have spent the past 2 days working hard on heel work – follow the finger time (fft!) But adding in right and left turns for a bit of variety. I’d got myself a bit confused and have been doing this off the lead up and down the corridor, whereas Jan recommends that this happen with a lead on. Lesson in not leaving your dog whispering book at your ex’s house and having to wait for it to be returned: learned and noted! Still, he’s coping well – right turns easier than left, and JUST KEEP FOLLOWING THE FINGER! At the minute, Dij’s attention span/tolerance for learning commands seems to be around 20 minutes – so I’m doing short sessions repeatedly throughout the evenings!
One mealtime around 6ish is working much better, and it means I don’t have to keep taking uneaten breakfast away. Jan (she feels like my friend now, I spend so much of my time thinking about her!) suggests 2 meal times in the early stages as it increases the opportunities to reinforce dominance through the order in which the pack eat. But thinking about it, I don’t think Dij’s ever eaten in the mornings – sure, I’ve given him the food then, but my guess is he’s helped himself to at some point during the day.
One unwelcome possible side effect of all this demoting on this side of the garden wall, is that he has turned into Sir Humpalot next door. Poor Audrey is bearing up with stoicism. It’s not helped by the irresistible smells from the bitch frequenting the park behind the flat. She’s in season and half the neighbourhood dogs are constantly pathering, poor boys! I think the mix of frustration and asserting his dominance over his friend is probably to blame – am hoping it burns itself out soon!
Two days of finger following in a row – BORING! But puffed jerky makes up for it (wish it was cheeeeeeese). But Anty keeps playing Flingo yaaaaay! I like Flingo you can pick him up and swing him by his legs then Anty catches him and squeezey-squeaks him and then I get him and I shake him and nibble his toes then Anty takes him away and PUTS HIM ON THE SHELF. Then there’s LAYDEEEEEZ mmmm pretty laydeez in the park, lovely lovely laydeez. Wonder if she’ll come to tea???
I have spent the past 2 days working hard on heel work – follow the finger time (fft!) But adding in right and left turns for a bit of variety. I’d got myself a bit confused and have been doing this off the lead up and down the corridor, whereas Jan recommends that this happen with a lead on. Lesson in not leaving your dog whispering book at your ex’s house and having to wait for it to be returned: learned and noted! Still, he’s coping well – right turns easier than left, and JUST KEEP FOLLOWING THE FINGER! At the minute, Dij’s attention span/tolerance for learning commands seems to be around 20 minutes – so I’m doing short sessions repeatedly throughout the evenings!
One mealtime around 6ish is working much better, and it means I don’t have to keep taking uneaten breakfast away. Jan (she feels like my friend now, I spend so much of my time thinking about her!) suggests 2 meal times in the early stages as it increases the opportunities to reinforce dominance through the order in which the pack eat. But thinking about it, I don’t think Dij’s ever eaten in the mornings – sure, I’ve given him the food then, but my guess is he’s helped himself to at some point during the day.
One unwelcome possible side effect of all this demoting on this side of the garden wall, is that he has turned into Sir Humpalot next door. Poor Audrey is bearing up with stoicism. It’s not helped by the irresistible smells from the bitch frequenting the park behind the flat. She’s in season and half the neighbourhood dogs are constantly pathering, poor boys! I think the mix of frustration and asserting his dominance over his friend is probably to blame – am hoping it burns itself out soon!
Two days of finger following in a row – BORING! But puffed jerky makes up for it (wish it was cheeeeeeese). But Anty keeps playing Flingo yaaaaay! I like Flingo you can pick him up and swing him by his legs then Anty catches him and squeezey-squeaks him and then I get him and I shake him and nibble his toes then Anty takes him away and PUTS HIM ON THE SHELF. Then there’s LAYDEEEEEZ mmmm pretty laydeez in the park, lovely lovely laydeez. Wonder if she’ll come to tea???
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D-Day +6
Am preparing for our first walk tomorrow – and it can’t come soon enough for either of us. It’s at times when you can’t take your dog out that you’re reminded why it was you got one in the first place. I love walking, but have felt too disloyal to go without him and come back smelling like a park-infused infidel! Besides, it seems important that I devote as much of my free time to Digit as I can right now – both in teaching him the new rules, but also playing and having general fun so it doesn’t feel awful for him.
Today we’ve worked further on heel work and turns, and also stay and recalls. I’ve managed to get up to a 20 second stay, 10 or so paces away and with my back turned. This feels like a great achievement. Although Jan teaches this from the sit position, I’ve noticed that Dij often drops down to wait it out. I’m not sure whether to correct this or not. What I’m trying to teach is stay (which he does), but if I let him get away with this, it might take some unlearning if I ever need him to know the difference between a sit stay and a down stay. Then I’m wondering wonder if it’s a distinction he needs to understand at all, unless I start entering him in obedience events.
Had to take that walk sooner than planned – my ex was in the garden this evening, so didn’t feel I should post the wee man through. We went out for a street walk (music festival in full swing in the park – thought best to avoid!) people must have thought I was nuts as I kept switching directions to stop the Dijmeister thinking he’s leading the walk. I noticed (well, couldn’t fail to notice) that he’s still scent marking frequently, so am thinking he’s not really surrendered his authority yet. Will go back a stage.
Odd kinda day – Anty couldn’t make her mind up what we were doing or where we were going. This way, that way….wait there, come on. In the flat, out the flat yaaaaay we went OUT! Not the park but there were still sniffs and messages to leave! Saw another dog, had a bit of a whine – Anty ignored it so I followed, don’t think she was bothered.
Chicken for tea Wooooo-Hoooo! Roasted chickens Mmmmmmm
Am preparing for our first walk tomorrow – and it can’t come soon enough for either of us. It’s at times when you can’t take your dog out that you’re reminded why it was you got one in the first place. I love walking, but have felt too disloyal to go without him and come back smelling like a park-infused infidel! Besides, it seems important that I devote as much of my free time to Digit as I can right now – both in teaching him the new rules, but also playing and having general fun so it doesn’t feel awful for him.
Today we’ve worked further on heel work and turns, and also stay and recalls. I’ve managed to get up to a 20 second stay, 10 or so paces away and with my back turned. This feels like a great achievement. Although Jan teaches this from the sit position, I’ve noticed that Dij often drops down to wait it out. I’m not sure whether to correct this or not. What I’m trying to teach is stay (which he does), but if I let him get away with this, it might take some unlearning if I ever need him to know the difference between a sit stay and a down stay. Then I’m wondering wonder if it’s a distinction he needs to understand at all, unless I start entering him in obedience events.
Had to take that walk sooner than planned – my ex was in the garden this evening, so didn’t feel I should post the wee man through. We went out for a street walk (music festival in full swing in the park – thought best to avoid!) people must have thought I was nuts as I kept switching directions to stop the Dijmeister thinking he’s leading the walk. I noticed (well, couldn’t fail to notice) that he’s still scent marking frequently, so am thinking he’s not really surrendered his authority yet. Will go back a stage.
Odd kinda day – Anty couldn’t make her mind up what we were doing or where we were going. This way, that way….wait there, come on. In the flat, out the flat yaaaaay we went OUT! Not the park but there were still sniffs and messages to leave! Saw another dog, had a bit of a whine – Anty ignored it so I followed, don’t think she was bothered.
Chicken for tea Wooooo-Hoooo! Roasted chickens Mmmmmmm
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Been away working for a couple of days
the good (or bad?) news, is that the story will resume shortly!
the good (or bad?) news, is that the story will resume shortly!
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Glad you're back as I have been missing the updates. It is so funny :lol:
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I’ve been away working for a couple of days, so returned with trepidation – Dij has been staying next door with my friend and (by default) my ex. Was greeted on return by the news that he’s been scent marking (ex’s sofa and laundry!) If my life were a sitcom (which I’m beginning to suspect) this may well be funny, however….!
He was an angel all evening, no repeat of the behaviour at home. I’m interpreting this as a bit of a rebellion – ie I’m insisting on being the BIG DOGGY at home, so when he’s next door he’s asserting himself. I decided to reassert the rules at home by spending the evening going over his heelwork and basic commands – am sure he was thrilled!
After work today I thought I’d get some road walking in – had an hour & half between getting in and heading out for a meeting, so after rigorously ignoring Dij for 5 mins I put his lead on and set off. True to my mentor, each time he set off left I gave him a ‘close’ and turned right, when he thought right was a good way to turn ‘back’ and left we went. We’d been at this for half an hour, making slow progress around the locality (to the amusement of passing motorists) when THE HEAVENS OPENED! Oh yes, a Monsoon in Brum! Suddenly all of Dij’s evasions evaporated – if I gave the left instruction, he turned left, likewise with the right! No need for the Finger of Following, Dij was instantly transformed into a paragon of behavitude! I swear he decided to cut the c*** just so we’d get home quicker. But the rain was so extreme there was no avoiding a soaking for eithe of us, so we arrived home no wetter than if we’d stood together in the shower for 10 minutes. Thankfully, wolves have no fluffy white towels, so I improvised a drying ritual that saw me stripped naked and dripping while Dij got a stiff towelling.
Anty gone! Not here today, or today or even this today! So I weed up Audrey’s sofa. Ha! Who’s the boss now? Then she came back and we did walking lots – all night, you’d think she’d get bored.
Next day we went out yaaaaaay! Sniffin stuff an leaving messages and people and cars and dogs and … hold on! CLOSE and BACK and BACK BACK and CLOSE and this way and that way and Anty couldn’t make up her mind an I was like Yeah Yeah WHATEVER! In no rush Anty…..then it rained and it was big rain and Anty wouldn’t hurry up and I thought I’d best just do what she said an then maybe we’d get home quicker. Home for a big towel and tea and Anty looked sooooo funny with her drippy clothes and taking em off and hiding under the windows! I got a big fluffy towel …JOY!
He was an angel all evening, no repeat of the behaviour at home. I’m interpreting this as a bit of a rebellion – ie I’m insisting on being the BIG DOGGY at home, so when he’s next door he’s asserting himself. I decided to reassert the rules at home by spending the evening going over his heelwork and basic commands – am sure he was thrilled!
After work today I thought I’d get some road walking in – had an hour & half between getting in and heading out for a meeting, so after rigorously ignoring Dij for 5 mins I put his lead on and set off. True to my mentor, each time he set off left I gave him a ‘close’ and turned right, when he thought right was a good way to turn ‘back’ and left we went. We’d been at this for half an hour, making slow progress around the locality (to the amusement of passing motorists) when THE HEAVENS OPENED! Oh yes, a Monsoon in Brum! Suddenly all of Dij’s evasions evaporated – if I gave the left instruction, he turned left, likewise with the right! No need for the Finger of Following, Dij was instantly transformed into a paragon of behavitude! I swear he decided to cut the c*** just so we’d get home quicker. But the rain was so extreme there was no avoiding a soaking for eithe of us, so we arrived home no wetter than if we’d stood together in the shower for 10 minutes. Thankfully, wolves have no fluffy white towels, so I improvised a drying ritual that saw me stripped naked and dripping while Dij got a stiff towelling.
Anty gone! Not here today, or today or even this today! So I weed up Audrey’s sofa. Ha! Who’s the boss now? Then she came back and we did walking lots – all night, you’d think she’d get bored.
Next day we went out yaaaaaay! Sniffin stuff an leaving messages and people and cars and dogs and … hold on! CLOSE and BACK and BACK BACK and CLOSE and this way and that way and Anty couldn’t make up her mind an I was like Yeah Yeah WHATEVER! In no rush Anty…..then it rained and it was big rain and Anty wouldn’t hurry up and I thought I’d best just do what she said an then maybe we’d get home quicker. Home for a big towel and tea and Anty looked sooooo funny with her drippy clothes and taking em off and hiding under the windows! I got a big fluffy towel …JOY!
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Oh poor u Dig. (Hang on, I am I really replying to a DOG?!)
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LMAO!!! Urchin this thread is priceless hun. Keep up the good work :thumbsup: and you too Digit!!! (w00t)
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Nooooo -we don't condone sofa weeee-age!
ok - heres' the next installment:
Home from work tonight, looking nervously at the sky – decide that the chances of getting caught in a freak downpour twice in as many nights is remote…so collars and leads on! Dij demonstrated his excellent memory for BACK and CLOSE when we were turning towards where he wanted to go – less impressive otherwise. So it has taken us an hour and a half to do a circuit of the local streets, which on a straight run would probably have been a scant half hour – still, the lesson for today was ‘this is Aunty’s walk, not yours!’ I purposely chose streets he doesn’t know to stop him anticipating my moves but we still got into a bit of a battle of wills over one particular stretch of pavement. Although Digit knows by now what ‘close’ means, each time I used that to turn him away from the dirtection we had been travelling in, he was reluctant to comply – turning back again – no problems. So I decided that however long it took, we would keep trotting up and down the same patch of pavement until he was as responsive one way as the other…..20 minutes! Oh yes! But, I am considerably more stubborn than a whippet so eventually he capitulated and turned gamely with me. Twice in a row – very good boy, beef jerky and the praise he deserves! Called in at our local on the way past for a pint in the beer garden – Dij melted hearts as is his want x x then home for tea. I feel like we’re starting to make some progress and will capitalise on this over the weekend.
Took Dij back to the pub with me later – trying to check out how he and the pub dog Honey get on. They are looking for a new home for her as the pub has been sold and she can’t move with them. Future looking grim for her – heartstrings twanging like twangy things. Need to make a decision pronto about whether she can come here to see if it works out ok.
Out cruisin this evenin, but by eck does Anty make a meal of it BACK and CLOSE and CLOSE and BACK! I am blummin close, I’m on a lead you pillock! Why she can’t just decide where she’s going and pick a reasonably straightforward rout is beyond me! Went to the pub but honey wasn’t playing – a man tried to give me crisps but I didn’t want to sit for them cause I was hungry and I wanted my tea and Anty took me home and I DID HAVE TEA!
Back to the pub (worried that Anty might have a problem!) there was a PUPPY! And he wanted to PLAY and we was cowboys and we ran around with our six shooters and all the people were outlaws and we rounded em up and….they HONEY CAME OUT TO PLAY AND SHE WAS SOOOOO EXCITED TO SEE ME and she shivered and I quivered and we went all mincey and dancey and she SMELLED WHERE I WEE’D
ok - heres' the next installment:
Home from work tonight, looking nervously at the sky – decide that the chances of getting caught in a freak downpour twice in as many nights is remote…so collars and leads on! Dij demonstrated his excellent memory for BACK and CLOSE when we were turning towards where he wanted to go – less impressive otherwise. So it has taken us an hour and a half to do a circuit of the local streets, which on a straight run would probably have been a scant half hour – still, the lesson for today was ‘this is Aunty’s walk, not yours!’ I purposely chose streets he doesn’t know to stop him anticipating my moves but we still got into a bit of a battle of wills over one particular stretch of pavement. Although Digit knows by now what ‘close’ means, each time I used that to turn him away from the dirtection we had been travelling in, he was reluctant to comply – turning back again – no problems. So I decided that however long it took, we would keep trotting up and down the same patch of pavement until he was as responsive one way as the other…..20 minutes! Oh yes! But, I am considerably more stubborn than a whippet so eventually he capitulated and turned gamely with me. Twice in a row – very good boy, beef jerky and the praise he deserves! Called in at our local on the way past for a pint in the beer garden – Dij melted hearts as is his want x x then home for tea. I feel like we’re starting to make some progress and will capitalise on this over the weekend.
Took Dij back to the pub with me later – trying to check out how he and the pub dog Honey get on. They are looking for a new home for her as the pub has been sold and she can’t move with them. Future looking grim for her – heartstrings twanging like twangy things. Need to make a decision pronto about whether she can come here to see if it works out ok.
Out cruisin this evenin, but by eck does Anty make a meal of it BACK and CLOSE and CLOSE and BACK! I am blummin close, I’m on a lead you pillock! Why she can’t just decide where she’s going and pick a reasonably straightforward rout is beyond me! Went to the pub but honey wasn’t playing – a man tried to give me crisps but I didn’t want to sit for them cause I was hungry and I wanted my tea and Anty took me home and I DID HAVE TEA!
Back to the pub (worried that Anty might have a problem!) there was a PUPPY! And he wanted to PLAY and we was cowboys and we ran around with our six shooters and all the people were outlaws and we rounded em up and….they HONEY CAME OUT TO PLAY AND SHE WAS SOOOOO EXCITED TO SEE ME and she shivered and I quivered and we went all mincey and dancey and she SMELLED WHERE I WEE’D
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Zephyr said:
Couldn't agree more :thumbsup:
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Brilliant as usual, good luck with Honey :luck:
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It really sounds like you're having a lot of fun despite the hard work.
Your story telling is fabulous.
)
Your story telling is fabulous.
)
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Lovin it and just to prove to you that i do read it :cheers: or did you have too many of them in the beer garden LOL :thumbsup:
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