Bailey and Friends

Susan,

We just finished our 4 week pup class. Some of the tricks for walking (which I agree my patience doesn't last long) were to put peanut butter on a wooden stick so you don't have to bend down so far to get it in front of their face--I am lucky Ella is almost tall enough I don't have to bend much. Other's in class have treats that are Natural Balance logs of different flavors of meat. I just got the lamb flavor yesterday (a small log to try out); Ella is working with me with these. In class today she was the award winner for walking next to me and making the turns.

The instructor had us practice left turns with the dog at our left side so they had to turn with us. Right hand today just that they can change direction on this one--that is why you practice on the left first and walk against a fence on the left also helps because there isn't anything to get distracted with.

She showed us a way to walk with the leash wrapped around their middle--she called it the luggage walk system because the leash is still hooked to the collar, but you now have a large handle to use so it distracts them with the leash around their belly and they don't pull as much on the neck (I hope I explained this one so it makes sense).

It is frustrasting because we know what it was like to have a trained dog. We forget it was a process before so it will be a process again. I keep telling myself this as I start to yell at Ella or the s... word comes out of my mouth.

Yesterday and today a challenge in the car--she has thrown up both days--not sure what that is all about....I talked about yesterday's adventure on Ella's thread...

I am a day before packer usually because I don't have time to get it done before. There are rare occassions when I start ahead of time.
Have a wonderful time and sounds like it will be exciting to see all the sites.

Happy Rest of the Weekend!!

Susan,

I think I said this before...it sounds like you need to start all over with Bailey :) The fact that she won't even sit to put her harness on, that she is all over visitors,etc are all signs she wasnt taught some boundaries. And if you don't start to teach them, nothing you wil do will change anything in her behaviour. I'm not sure if you saw the video's of "little Viktor", the Welsh Springer pup? At 7 weeks old, the first things I taught him were to sit before he got his meals, to sit and wait when I went through a door, etc...all things/actions that will tell a dog you are the boss. It teaches them boundaries...and without those, it's virtual imposible to teach dog anything.

So, my first advice would be...stop chasing her, trying to catch her. That's about the worst thing you can do. If she won't sit still so you can put her harness on, then simply walk away and put away the harness...no sitting still, no walk. Try again in 10 minutes...she won't sit? You walk away nd put away the harness. If you start chasing her, you give her all the power....succesfully so even :) So, no more chasing miss Bailey, okay?! From now on,make her sit before you give her her meals. She won't sit? Walk away and put her bowl away as well. Try again in 5 minutes orso. She wants to sit in your lap? Make her sit. She won't? Too bad, no laptime for Bailey. From no on, d not let her go thrugh doorsfirst, she needs to sit and wait till you (and every other human) went through the door. She won't? Everytime she tries to get through the door before you, pick her up, sit her down again. If needed, leave a leash on her so you can grab her more easily. If you do this, consistently, every time with everything, she will understand these new rules within 2 or 3 days...if she is smart it will take less then 24 hours :D Once these new rules are clear, you have established some sort of leadership and she will begin to understand boundaries. And then, and only then, can you start teaching her things like walking on a leash etc. It's not Bailey, it's not the method you use for training walking on a leash, it's the lack of leadership why you are not succesfull in training her. So using a different method to train how to walk on a leash, won't be the solution. Start from zero, set boundaries, teach her the new rules and once she understands those, everything else will come automatically :)

Google for NILIF, Nothing in Life is Free. Read id and start acting and behaving accordingly...that's how you teach Bailey how to walk on a leash :) Not with leash training but with respect, boundaries and clear and consistent rules...

This may not be the reply you hoped for, but in my opinion, the only honest and the best answer I can give you.

Good luck and remember, look for the fun, not for the frustrating bits ;)

Saskia and Yunah :)

I wonder if my husband read that Nothing in Life for Free because he has been making me wait at the door while he goes out first, I am always having to say "please" before everything and I am doing at lot of sitting:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

I kid you all:D:D:D:D:D

Actually, we did the NILFF with Zoe when she first came home.

Hey Sus,

are you packed yet???????????

On the road again, can't wait to get on the road again:p:p:p:p:p

Why is it so hard to leave our pups? I know you will miss Bailey.
Just think of the great reunion when you get back;)

Love ya,
Addy

Addy-
Nope-not packed....but car is gassed up, tires will get pumped up tomorrow.....bills are all in order......I'm getting there!:)

Don't tell her I said so, but it will be nice not to have to deal with poop, tinkles or bites for one week. :D

Back to stepping stones..........these are really going to be cool! :cool::cool:

Love,
Sus

Susan,

Happy Trip!!!
I know what you mean about not having to.....for a whole week!!:D:D

Do we get any new sweaters on this trip?????:p :) What color this time???

Hey, Marie, don't go and think you are gonna hog the window seat again. Oh wait, Mom got a new van, we all have a window now:D:D

DIBS ON THE LEFT SIDE!!!

hey, are we taking the DVR?

Can we make some popcorn to take along, huh, can we?

OMG they're back.........the Bobsie twins....:eek:
It's not a van-it's an SUV.....but there are 8 windows in all.....although you wouldn't be able to see much out of the teeny rear side ones.:p:p
The temperatures look like they'll be in the low 70s for most of our trip.....so sweaters are in order and maybe jackets-at night. Don't forget your flannel pjs......the ones with the feet!!! ;) Fall sweaters perhaps. How about orange? Maybe brown? Neither of those colors look good on me....I'm a "winter."
I will bring along BIG tubs of Fisher's popcorn.....one with cheese, one with caramel and peanuts and one plain caramel. If we run out, they do mail order!:D:cool:
This trip won't be 2600 miles....only about 2000. Now go get your naps. The "bus" leaves early Saturday morning.

Hi-Miss Bailey had her stitches removed today and all looks very good. I gave her a bath and she looks SO fluffy....and is SO soft. She looks like a pre-winter caterpillar...those black and brown ones.
Sas-thank you for your reply....I'm working on it.:D
-Love,
Susan

Are we there yet? How many more miles? What do you mean we have only been in the car 10 minutes? I forgot to use the bathroom before we left. Hey Bob, can we stop at that MCDonalds?

Oh Boy, CANADA, CANADA. Can we get some Canada Dry Ginger Ale in Canada?

OH NO I FORGOT MY SWEATER.

MOMMMMMMMMMMMM:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p Marie is looking at me just like Carrol used to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Have a great trip dear Sus,

Love,Addy

You're certifiably CRAZY!! :D

COULD NOT SLEEP...not even one little wink.:(

Looks like the weather will be about the same as it has been here. Bummer. Hot. :(:(

I'll try to keep you posted as we go.:)

Love,
Susan