Adventures in Dog Behavior Training – Part 1

Moms invited a dog behavior trainer to come visit us this week because they are trying to figure out why I’ve become so dominant and sometimes aggressive toward other dogs who challenge me in my own household. I really didn’t see this coming since I’ve done nothing wrong. It all started a few weeks ago when I got into a fight with Romeo, our latest rescue Chihuahua. Romeo is recovering nicely now but Moms got upset about the whole thing. I was just doing what the Alpha dog was supposed to be doing. I was making the rules, claiming everything to be mine and pretty much calling the shots around the house.

Paying attention to the lesson.

When the trainer stopped by after moms got home from work one day, I quickly took a liking to him. He was tall, strong and barely paid any attention to me at first. He talked to my moms for awhile before finally acknowledging me. I really wanted to play frisbee with him and kept dropping frisbees at his feet and barking at him when he didn’t pay attention to me. He didn’t like that and quickly put me in my place or just ignored me. I will get it eventually.

So the trainer put a chain necklace on me and attached a leash to it. Mom has used this kind before but it’s been awhile. Lately she’s been using the Gentle Leader which is my least favorite. We all went around to the front of the house and began walking up and down the street. The trainer man gave me direction and taught me how I’m supposed to walk next to him. I liked what he was doing.

The trainer told Moms that I was seeking discipline and to be told what to do. I needed directions to follow and when I have them I am a good dog. I’m not supposed to be the one making the decisions in this family but since Moms weren’t doing it, I stepped in. Moms could tell I was happier walking with the trainer since he was the one in charge.

Overall, the trainer said I was a well behaved dog I just need to step down from the Alpha position and let my Mom stand there instead. We’ve been working on a few techniques which are helping to conquer “the walk” which is an important part of a dog’s life. The walk isn’t just about peeing and chasing squirrels. It’s actually more like a training session when done right.

I don’t know for a fact but I can sense something different with my Moms. We all seem happier with this new knowledge. Our next adventure will be an outing with the trainer to see how well I can behave in a setting populated with people and other dogs. I’m looking forward to it! Hopefully he’ll let me show him my frisbee skills next time!

All smiles!

**Trainer Paul Pipitone from Dog’s Best Friend of central Florida
http://www.dogsbestfriendofcentralflorida.com/

Beautiful Sunday

Having some pool time while Moms do their thing around the house. Today is the kind of day where you just have to hang out outside, even if it means doing chores two days in a row. The sun is shining so big and bright, nothing but blue skies up above, the air is crisp and cool; this is the end of our Florida Winter season. I’m loving it.

Frisbee and Pool. Wake me up ’cause I must be dreaming.

This is too much fun.

A little bit of Frisbee? Why, yes, thank you.

Romeo basking in the sun.

 

My weekend on the ranch

 

I’m ready to go.

Are we there yet?

This was my first trip to River Ranch, a dude ranch resort out in the middle of Florida. Although the drive was pretty long for my short attention span (about an hour and a half from Orlando), I enjoyed as many new scents as I could along the way. I’ve never been to a ranch before. There were all of these animals I’ve never seen except perhaps on Animal Planet. Some of the animals were smaller than me, but then there were these huge furry things that seemed to like me even though I barked at them when I first saw them. My bark was more from excitement than anything.

OMG!

Whoa.

We went for walks, I sniffed so many blades of grass and tree trunks. We played lots of frisbee outside and I found a few mud puddles I just had to roll around in. Even the mud was different here. It was so much fun getting dirty. It wasn’t as much fun when Mom bathed me three times in one weekend.

Having lots of fun here.

More frisbee.

I love this cowboy ranch life!

Overall my first trip to the ranch was successful. I had a lot of fun with my moms and their family. I suggest you experience the wild west of Florida at River Ranch when you get a chance. And don’t forget you can bring your canine children with you when you come visit.

So much fun!

 

Ranch dog in the house.

Our Newest Little Addition: Welcome to the family Romeo

This little guy followed Mom and I home from our morning walk last week. Of course Mom let him inside the yard and then eventually inside the house. He’s been to the doggie doctor a couple of times already and smells a lot better now. He’s not scratching any more either. ( I was going to get upset if I started getting bitten by fleas.)

He’s kinda cute I guess.

 

That’s a serious look there Romeo!

We don’t know much about this guy except he likes dogs a lot, humans take a little longer for him to warm up to, he’s a typical boy dog excited by the females, he’s a little underweight but that is changing now that he gets two meals a day and doesn’t have hookworm anymore, he has no microchip or collar and nobody in the area has responded to the internet postings or the newspaper ads. Moms are pretty sure he’s been abandoned and have decided to take him in as long as we get along together. So far so good. He’s not so bad when he’s not up my butt or trying to mount me. I just shake my head at this little guy and politely growl to let him know that nothing is going to happen like that. I overheard Moms talking about another doggie doctor visit for him soon that will curb his natural urges to mate with me. Which is a good thing because I’m not interested in him like that.

Mom Too named him Romeo since he’s sweet and likes to give the ladies kisses. I feel bad for the little bugger having lost his family and all. We can be his family now, and he will be taken care of well. I will try to learn how to share. I really do enjoy being an only dog but Mom’s are always trying to help homeless dogs and I suppose it wouldn’t hurt me to join them. 

It’s my Mini-Me!

It’s Gonna Be a Happy New Year

Goodbye 2013. It’s been quite a year. We had some gains and we has some losses but we lived each day to it’s fullest. My foster sister Dixie has found a great home not so far from us, we moved into a new house where moms say we’re going to be staying in for the next 30 years, I won first place in a disc catching competition, I won fifth place in another one, we were followed home by two lost dogs and Mom brought them into my yard and home which didn’t make me very happy but then she eventually found the owners thanks to Facebook posts and was able to reunite them, a month later they were running around in our neighborhood and wound up on our doorstep and mom and I walked them back to their owners house, Moms through me the best birthday party and I got so many presents during the whole month, I went on lots and lots of walks almost every day, I played lots and lots of Frisbee pretty much every day (we have a bit of a routine and Frisbee is part of my daily diet) um….I discovered the grunting pig toy and then I discovered the squawking bird, I cuddled A LOT, let me think…I’m sure there is a lot more I’m leaving out. Like how Moms dressed me in two costumes and took millions of pictures of me because they are obsessed. Okay, my point is I’ve had a great year and I’m looking forward to 2014. Let’s keep educating people to punish the deed not the breed, continue to rid Breed Specific Legislation and the discrimination against certain breeds, continue to set examples of responsible dog ownership, and build our voices for the homeless pet population. Those are just some of my resolutions and goals.

 Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year! Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014

Hamming it up as usual

I love my new blanket.

Want to cuddle with me?

Yes, I can be silly at times.

Happy Birthday to Me, Merry Christmas Eve to You

Today is my birthday. I turned 5 today and I must say, I feel another year mature. Our next door neighbor Harper, another Pit Bull like me only still a puppy, decided to jump over the fence tonight. We usually race each other up and down the fence but this time she wanted to come over and play. I can be grumpy sometimes and Moms get a little concerned but I didn’t care. We ran around and into the house and back out again until her Dad came to get her. I even let her play with my bone and squawky toy bird. I was a good girl. Now we’re waiting for the rest of Moms’ family to come over and celebrate my birthday. At least that’s what Mom told me. I feel so special that everybody is coming over, listening to holiday music, eating yummy food like mashed potatoes and I’m pretty sure I smelled ham coming from the oven. There are so many presents for me under the tree too. Moms really should go to all of this trouble for my birthday. But I’m not going to complain about it one bit. It’s a special day for all of us.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Holidays wear me out!

Lazy winter mornings

I don’t know about you, but it’s hard to get out of bed on a cold winter morning. It’s not even winter yet, and we live in Florida, but I’m still practicing for those chilly mornings.

As soon as mom gets up, I’m all over her spot. It’s so warm and comfortable and has her scent there. I act like I’m just keeping it warm for when she wants to come back and snuggle.

It’s a lot better (and warmer) when the whole family is in bed snuggling but I’m not going to complain too much.

 

Me and the Christmas Bears

They aren’t really much company. They never want to go outside and play, they never want to look out the window. They just sit there looking cute and fluffy.