February - the beginning of work
February - the beginning of work
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26.02.2006
Another day full of new experience. Beti went to another dog show, but still only to watch. She supported Amber at a Champions Dog Show in Leszno. She was able to smell an amazing amount of dogs’ noses and tails, met her “cousin”, Queen, (she was really surprised to learn that Wolfdogs smaller than her exist.;) She fell in love with Swiss Shepherds, especially with a beautiful Viki, from the firs sight and was dead tired on the way back home. Amber and Beti are temporarily “unavailable.;)
25.02.2006
Beti saw a pack of Wolfdogs for the second time in her life! This time they came to her house.:))) We have guests – Peronówka visited us before the show in Leszno, as usually in February.:) Alistair was the first one to play. Amber was astonishingly happy and Beti finally found her spiritual leader.;) Of course Alistair liked it very much so she showed everybody how important she was, rooooaarr. Camio came to help a while later. He came in really happy and started picking Beti up since she was almost his age. My doggie decided to watch the new ones from a safe distance. Maybe there will be more of them?
She couldn’t make it too long, though and a minute later Camio and she played as if they were best friends. But the real fun started when we went for a walk. Beti was already Camio’s best friend. They were unseparable. If you saw something moving in the bushes you knew right away who it was.:) But Alistair remained the guru. She let the other dogs lick her form time to time. She was simply like a queen. Barlog was also with us, but he, Amber and (you wouldn’t believe!) Ali raced who pees on the biggest number of trees in the forest. They kept peeing in the same place one after another…Alistair was always the last one.:)))
In the morning, before the guests came we went for a long obedience class. Beti and Zuzia worked together beautifully. The girls apparently got to like each other. Training, playing with other dogs, playing with Zuzia and training again. One and a half hour! Oh, yes Beti had a lot of running today. When we came back home after the walk she simply went to sleep.:)
23.02.2006
Beti still keeps revolting.;) when we are on a walk she is close to me, eats a lot of food and then…runs away to her buddies.;))) But I use simple tricks to call her back. But this is not the case. Although she is treated a little more leniently because she is still a puppy she has to know that she must come when I call her! Even if she is playing at that moment.:) There is no point calling the dog or (what is even worse) running after it. If I call my dogs the second time and they still don’t want to come I simply turn around and go away from them. Of course they come back right away.
Screaming and chasing a dog is the first basic mistake people do when they teach their dog “come”. Another mistake is scolding it when it finally comes. You cannot scold your dog if it comes when you called it, even if you are really angry;) and the dog came an hour after you called…
I am happy I already went through that twice with my older dogs. I know that the difficult age will soon be over if only I am consequential.
Beti now works at home really well. I know why – food! Now she opens the drawer door so fast that sometimes she bangs her head.;) She also knows how to give her bowl although she sometimes doesn’t give it directly to my hand.
I can see that some tricks don’t really suit her, for example “ask”. I tried to teach her asking, but the gesture is very similar to the “jump up” gesture. Beti is confused and doesn’t know what I want.;( She stops when I try this exercise so I am thinking I will simply give it up. Training is supposed to be fun.
Our ball games in the evening are a great way to increase the bond with the dog and to improve retrieving. Amber has been very jealous lately. He wants to do everything Beti does. But this is actually great since competition helps here a lot. Both dogs race for the ball and the one who brings it to me gets a treat. Sometimes Amber uses his advantageous position and even if Beti is first he tears the ball out of her mouth and proudly brings it to me.:)
Today I bought a wooden retrieving object! Beti thought it was a stick she could chew. Amber was surprised – why is it so small?:) I tried to show Beti what it was. So I put it in her mouth, clicked with my clicker and gave her a treat. After some trials to exchange a ball with a new toy there is a success. Beti brought the retrieving object a couple of times!!! Although I could see she would rather prefer a ball. Are Wolfdogs really unable to retrieve?;)
21.02.2006
It’s amazing how Beit loves people. She adores to be hugged and loves to lick. Amber is also very friendly and likes contact with people, but Beti is 1000 times better in it! Sometimes my dogs play and chase each other and Beti goes to say hello to people passing by. Every person (if they sit or lie at the moment) has to be thoroughly licked, and my doggie is so happy that she does a big pee… Oh, how I love my little doggie.:)
Our systematic work and contact with other dogs brings effect. Beti is less and less timid and has already started playing with big pets. This afternoon she played “biting” with a Lab and a Malamute.:)
I have also noticed the first signs of independence and moodiness. I mean selective deafness when we are on walks.;) Beti has good training basis, but the rest can be worked on. Firstly, no food at home, the treats for tricks are tiny. I only take food for walks. She gets how much she can eat there.:) Additionally, apart from food I take raw chicken hearts. They are little, handy and work like magnet to her.;) I want to see the results of the “therapy” tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, the latest.:))) The greatest test for her will be in two weeks on a walk with Bast. It is really hard for Beti to leave Bast.
19.02.2006
If you want to have a dog working with pleasure, if you want it to learn willingly the things you want to teach it the dog has to work all the time. Of course not including the time when the dog sleeps or when you are not around (which also means that it sleeps.;)
A dog notices everything you do and interprets it in its own way. Let’s make it learn what we expect, then. If I want to have a dog that thinks constantly, that can do many things and that is obedient I will reward such behavior. I don’t mean only during training, but the whole time and everywhere.
I heard that the more a dog can and the more commands it knows the better relationship with the owner. But my justification is that if a dog likes to be rewarded (do you know somebody who doesn’t?) and if you like rewarding your dogs it’s ideal if you can reward your dog all day long for the things he does well.:)
This is why Beti works all the time. She keeps learning all the time. Every situation is, for me, a perfect moment to train and socialize her. When she plays with other dogs I teach her “come” and doing exercises in a place where very attractive things take place. When we are on a walk I teach her “heel”, not taking food (and other even worse things), bringing objects, etc. There are many exercises that Beti does really well at home, but I still have some new ideas. Every kind of behavior which you would like to use in the future should be rewarded. You should reward the dog every time it picks up a piece of paper or a toy, touches you with its nose or paw, licks you or even yawns or stretches. Of course, only if you want your dog to be able to do all those things.:)))
Last weekend was full of experience for me and for Beti.;) Tests begun for me, and abundant social life begun for Beti.:) She now smells interestingly for many different “boys” which irritates her and causes some undesirable behaviors while playing with other dogs.;) She had a chance to play with her sister and with children. She beautifully reacted to all commands given by my little cousin.
But Beti doesn’t always behave as I would like her to. There are some kinds of behaviors that I don’t like .For example, when somebody enters a classroom Beti jumps up and starts barking. Unfortunately, she learnt this from Amber. Now it is my job to teach her that she mustn’t do this. Not all the things that you learn from the older ones are good…;)
16.02.2006
Wolfdogs’ intelligence is almost legendary (at least in our group;) Many people write to me asking how it happens that my dogs want and can play with me, train or even take part in competitions. They also ask how it happens that my dogs are not troublesome, don’t run away, don’t cry and demolish the house when I am away. I think that you can find the answers here, in my notes, although I cannot guarantee that all I write will help. Every dog is different and we have to adjust our behavior and training to it. If I were to answer all those questions in one sentence I would say:
You have to make friends with your Wolfdog and become the leader of its Unimaginable Intelligence.
Beti’s intelligence tells her that if she opens a cupboard when I ask her to there is a chance that she gets her dinner.;) So she now opens the cupboard whenever I ask her.:)
15.02.2006
Beti has a really interesting character. She is so sweet to people; toady and charming, but she can show what she thinks to other dogs. On the one hand she lies on her back so that even her head is on the ground if a dog barks at her,;) but on the other hand none of my dogs dares to sit next to her in a car, for example. If only one of them steps on her paw she starts barking nervously! She definitely knows how to put her foot down despite being so toady.
She is very cunning just like every bitch is. From stealing Amber’s treats from just in front of him to taking his favorite toys! Amber lies down and chews his cone, Beti crawls as close as possible licking Amber’s mouth. When she gets too close Amber gets pissed off and bites her. She squeaks and screams and…comes closer to him reaching for his cone.:)))
Today we went for training with someone new. Zuzia came with us. She wants to learn how to train dogs and work with Beti. She is in love with Wolfdogs. At home it is quite easy for Zuzia to train Beti, but it is much more difficult outside. Why should Beti focus on Zuzia if there are so many other interesting things going on around? Amber and I are also here. But Zuzia is very patient and they will soon be closer.
14.02.2006
Beti met a new friend on Valentine’s Day. It was an extremely friendly Husky – Tano. Of course, he was happy that a lady visited him. They played together all evening. Amber had to stay at home, you know why.:( He simply hates when another dog plays with Beti.;) He only makes an exception for Amon whom he still regards as a puppy. He is offended with us for that reason and he doesn’t talk to us and doesn’t want to eat. During short brakes between their games Tano and Beti met my friends’ children and hoped to get something good from them.;)
During a walk we practiced changing from “come” to “heel” and regular “heel”. It was pretty well because there was a deliciously smelling chicken in my pocket…;)
Beti has been a little absent-minded lately and hasn’t trained as willingly as she usually does. So I used my secret weapon. I took her bowl. She can only get food from my hand (or of a fork if it’s meat;) and only for her work. It turned out that one day was enough. Even the cupboard somehow opened and many other commands sounded familiar again.:))) It’s a great way to make your dog more willing to work, but it takes quite a lot of time a few times a day because your dog has to eat their portion of food.
Thank you so much for your nice comments. Reading them makes me feel that there is a point in my writing. Well there are times when I don’t write. You know, there is not always a lot going on and, also, I do not always have an inspiration to write.;)))
13.02.2006
Wolfdogs often behave very spontaneously: they jump to say hello, chew people’s hands, lick, or pee when they are happy (puppies only). People don’t necessarily like some of the behaviors like jumping. Strangers definitely don’t want dogs to jump on them. I know dog owners who simply dream to find a way to teach their dogs not to do that, but are not able to. I also know ones that absolutely don’t mind it. Amber used to jump on people when he was a puppy and I was really tired of it. Suddenly he stopped. Unfortunately, I don’t remember how it happened. Then I started to make him do this and he jumps again. He usually jumps next to me, not on me.:)
Unfortunately it is completely inappropriate that Beti jumps on people, she simply has to learn not to do this. She loves jumping, of course…I was thinking about how to eliminate the behavior and I decided that the best way would be to learn her what to do instead. I taught her to sit instead of jumping when she says hello. Saying “no” will bring no effects. She will not listen to your command or will simply no longer be happy that you came back.
I began with Beti’s greeting with me. Before I greet her after I come back from work I run to the refrigerator to get some treats (some really super extra treats). Then I go to open the door to her and immediately say “sit”. She gets her treat. At the beginning she sits for a second only, but then she sits longer and longer. When she starts standing up I say “sit” again and so on…it works!!!
It is the same with chewing. Beti absolutely is not allowed to do it. It was quite easy to teach her not to do it. I guess it depends on a dog’s character. Beti leaves my hand alone if I only make a quiet noise.
It is the most difficult to do the exercises with guests because they have to cooperate. After a short break we resumed our training. Beti has already forgotten some of the things, but we don’t need to hurry. Beti does “stay” in a training course. She remains motionless for a minute and she stays even 15-20 meters from me.
We had some nice guests today. Zuzia, a Wolfdog lover, her mum and sister visited us. Amber went crazy. Three women came to look at him!;) He put his nose everywhere and didn’t let Beti play with them. They both showed their tricks. They pretended to be biting each other which looks pretty scary to those who don’t know the breed.:) They made somersaults and so on. Then we trained the dogs a little and took pictures. Zuzia turned out to be a huge dog lover and training lover especially. If she wants to we will meet on our Saturday trainings. There is always a dog that has to be trained and doesn’t have a person to do it with it.;)
12.02.2006
Amon’s life has been like a dog carnival lately.;) Playing, having fun, chasing and wonderful cooperation. He came really close to us. It will be hard to part, but we have to... I think we will soon meet again and maybe go to some dog shows together.:)
Beti has already gone through her first show! Our whole pack went to Bydgoszcz for Valentine’s Day. We go to Bydgoszcz so often this year.;) Amon and Amber were in the ring and Beti watched them. I was curious how Beti would react in the new situation and I wasn’t disappointed! Beti was a little surprised to see so many dogs in one place, but she didn’t really have time to think about it. She was temporarily given to Ewa.;) I had to take care of my gentlemen. Thanks to the help of a few people (thank you very, very much!) I was able to cope with everything with no problem. At that time Beti played with her old friends from Warsaw – her dad, Clif, and her sisters rabbits.
After we were graded we went to take pictures together. Ufff, we had a difficult time arranging everyone! Nine Wolfdogs! There were pictures with dad, sisters and of everybody. The sisters growled a little, but the pictures are beautiful.:)
We went around the hall for a short time. It was extreme – plenty of dogs and a total crowd. It turned out that it completely doesn’t impress Beti. She went through the crowd bravely, smelled all other dogs and she looked happy.:) My little brave dog!
But the best was still to come. Visit at Basta’s and a walk with almost the whole Wolfdog team.:) The dogs divided into three groups. Amber and Amon played with Nirvana (Carmen), Amber taught his son the subtle way of dealing with women in which one wins their hearts.;) Beti and Bast were in the second group. They remembered each other from earlier walks in Bydgoszcz and apparently liked each others company. Belit and Basta – the third team also played together. But, well, they are from Warsaw, so they don’t play with anybody else.;) Playing was fantastic! We already planned the next meeting hopefully soon! This time we will go to...Grudziądz.:)
08.02.2006
Another day at school. A lot of new experience for my little dog: combing, feeding, lying together, walking on a leash and all kinds of touching and patting. Everything done by children, of course.:)
It is difficult for a dog to focus on one child in a big group. The children give a lot of commands, often contradictory.;) But it turns out to be true again that „give paw” is the basis.:))) I took Beti’s favorite cones for class. The children had a lot of fun throwing them to Beti, and Beti had fun bringing them back.
A walk was awfully wet because the snow begun to melt. But my Wataha likes playing in the water too.;) It is amazing when the whole pack runs around and plays so that you have to look around all the time so that they all keep close to you… You have to watch and always try to guess what they will do next. It is very easy; there is always the moment before they start running when they stare at something. This is when it is the easiest to stop them. Luckily they have never ran anywhere so far, but I can imagine what somebody (a person or a dog) could feel if they saw such pack running in their direction.:)))
07.02.2006
I finally found something Beti brings with passion! Cheap and easy to get – regular cones.:) Beti is crazy about cones.:))) She chases after them and, what is most important, she brings them back! I try to teach her to bring it to my hand, if she drops it there is no treat, she has to run again.
I made it! I was able to call Beti when she chased a cat! It is a little success, but a very nice one.;) Today Amber taught Beti handing a bowl on command.:) He is quite a good helper. Beti was at the stage of taking a bowl into her mouth, now we are a step forward. Beti is slowly beginning to raise the bowl in her mouth.;) Of course, I had to do my best so that Amber gets as few treats as possible…
Beti has accepted staying in her kennel in the house alone around a week ago. She also sleeps in the kennel more often during the day when I am at work thanks to which my grandmother has less work.:) Until now she was very fussy when my grandmother closed her in the kennel. Unfortunately, the little one is too naughty if left alone for a second.;) When she stayed at home alone she cried at the beginning, but when I came back she slept soundly which was pretty OK, but it still didn’t satisfy me. I want her to feel comfortable when she is alone.
I found a solution completely by chance. My family told me to get Beti’s kennel out of the living room. So I put it in the hall. Since then Beti finally accepted her kennel.:) Now she only cries when I leave with another dog…
05.02.2006
The weekend began with tough training despite the fact that it was cold and windy. “Heeling” – Beti usually walks looking at me, but here she was too distracted with other dogs and we had to work on her focusing. I was glad to see how she reacted on throwing sticks. Beti brought it back although we didn’t play it quite long! We met a new friend and Beti finally found the one with whom she could chase as long as possible! The dog was also young, so we both practiced calling them when they played.
In the evening we visited some friends again. (I finally have a chance to visit them after a long time.;) It was the first time Beti met a small animal (not including the cats at home). It was a little koszatniczka. They were both surprised to see each other. Beti left her alone very quickly. What an example of a Wolfdog was she? She lay down, let people pat her and in the end turned on her back and went to sleep.:) She probably learnt from Amber that one has to pretend to be really good when one visits friends.;)
A sunny and chilly Sunday is great for a long walk. All my three Wolfdogs and I walked in the forest and watched how beautiful it was. Amber usually goes first and the kids run around. I am the last one.;) One of the dogs came to me from time to time reminding me that it was time to get a treat. This is why my pockets are full of treats.;) My little starvelings react for my calling the most. Amber usually waits to make sure if I call for real or just for fun.;) And his typical behavior, which he learnt, he first looks around to see what is going on. He presumes that if I call him there must be something interesting going on.;) Fortunately, he always comes even if there are dogs around. There is only one exception. He never comes when he meets a she dog he knows. But I forgive him.;)
Beti didn’t want to do anything after the walk. She only wanted to eat and sleep loong.:) In the evening I combed her beautifully. She already has beautiful long fur on her neck! We will have an exam in a week in front of Ewa, Beti’s breeder, and Beti’s first experience with the show world. We are going to Valentine’s Day show to Bydgoszcz. Amber will run in the ring and Beti will make an official appearance as a “Właśnie tak!” Foundation (Just Yes!) dog. I am planning to take Beti to some shows, especially around Poznań, so that she gets familiarized with the show atmosphere and to socialize her with other dogs.
03.02.2006
The more we train the faster Beti learns. Sometimes only a couple of minutes is enough to teach Beti something. Today we tried two things: waiting for a command to eat in front of a bowl full of food and handing in an empty bowl. Waiting was amazingly easy, but the teaching method was taken from a friend and already tried out.
Until now I tried to teach Beti the same method I used to teach Amber. I used to give Amber a „lie down” or „sit” command and if he wanted to stand up I immediately said „no”. But Beti is completely different than Amber and I have to use more delicate methods of training. When I used Amber’s method she got discouraged quickly and she didn’t really know what it was all about. As I look at the method now I think it was negative training, training through not letting her do something. This is what Beti doesn’t like in training.
The new method is much easier and much more clear for a dog, and it’s…positive.;) I reward her if she does what I want. I keep a bowl in the air, say „sit” and reward her (it’s easier with a clicker). I lower the bowl and if she stands up I take it higher again, tell her to sit and reward. Every time Beti stands up the bowl goes up, if she sits the bowl goes down. Beti caught up what the exercise is all about in just a minute!
It wasn’t easy, though, because Beti is crazy about food. Additionally, I used the bowl to teach her something else – barking. Giving a bowl is very complicated so we divided the learning process into parts. It is still something, though. Beti has learnt during just one day to catch her bowl in her mouth.
Beti has gone through a small shock today. We visited friends who have a downy Malamute, which, additionally, didn’t want to leave Beti alone. My little one did her best to get rid of him! She tried to explain him in different ways that she didn’t want to play with him, but he was one of the guys that don’t listen to any reasons.;) It ended up focusing their attention and eating treats.:)
01.02.2006
We are now beginning to learn what school is and with the laws that have to be obeyed there. Beti feels very well with children and she willingly lets them feed her, walk her, touch her and gives them paw, etc. We assist at a class to an older friend, a Golden Retriever, and… we learn.:)
Usually such learning should start a little later, when a dog is about half year old, but I think that the faster the better, not too much, of course. Being among children, especially ill children, is very tiring for a dog. I saw that after 20 minutes Beti gave me signals that she was tired and a few minutes later she simply went to sleep.
In a month from now, after the winter break, we will begin to visit children regularly, twice a week. When you are with children you can see what is needed and what children like – “sit”, “give paw”. It is difficult if children speak indistinctly and if their moves are uncoordinated. Such behaviors have to be taught and this is what we will be working on.
