So c'mon 'fess up! One habit that I have reinforced with Benson.. (oh there are sooo many!) At the end of an off lead walk, he just stops. I would walk on about 40-50 feet see him, then whistle, and he comes galloping back for a treat. Which I duly paid out. He kept doing this, to the point, if I glanced back he would assume this was a recall, and pelt back to me. For a treat. Which I paid. Sigh. So I stopped. This morning he started doing it again...only this time he had a HUGE branch in his mouth, and was sat there waiting for his recall.... Quite clever really, upping his own criteria...
There are too many to list here! One that's funny is that Ella will always lick every person in the room, just once, straight after she's eaten. We thought it was like a cute way of saying thank you so reinforced it heaps at the beginning. Now it can be a little embarrassing to explain to guests, as they dry of their leg The main one that I'll regret forever is the way that we socialised Ella. We always thought socialising meant "ooh, there's a type of person/animal that you've never met, run up and say hi so we know you're not scared". We'll spend the rest of our days together paying for that one.
Oh yes! Quite a few of us have fallen down that particular rabbit hole! That has taken me literally months to unravel...
Yep.. 100% agree with Emily! Stanley is the biggest social butterfly ever! OH's brother has an aggressive dog and I was adamant that Stanley wouldn't be. So now I've got the most over socialised, friendly dog ever. He even cries if people walk past him and don't fuss him Oh well.. still better than being aggressive I guess
Ella is the same Try doing a formal obedience 'stand for examination' with the world's friendliest dog
Oh Lord! I am desperately trying to teach a stand to Benson....he thinks it means rolly eyes and kangeroo jump!
That if we get something from the fridge that it's his God-given right to a share of it! You should see the stare! And all the plates and dishes destined for the dishwasher must first get prewashed by him. Which is okay by us, except it gets tricky when guests are around!
Yes, every time I prepare food the dogs get some. I never ever used to do that before we got Axel. But now both lie at my feet waiting for their yummies. Axel leaves pools of drool everywhere while waiting and I always cave because of how cute they look waiting
If I'm having a coffee and a biscuit Holly stick her head onto my lap and drools until she's given some biscuit. Worse still, if I cross my legs she wedges her nose between my knees to get her head onto my lap. I now live in fear of my sister visiting as she usually wears a dress.....
Oh yes ! Fell in to that one, hook, line and sinker! Despite the voice inside my head saying you know she's going to be a big dog what are you doing?
Just been enormously proud of Rory. He smelt something food probably and took off, really took off top speed He went a long way towards the park gates and then out off them it was really heart in the mouth stuff. So I called in my come here my lovely boy all excited happy voice. Waved and danced about and he turned and galloped straight back he got treats hugs and me all excited and happy to see him. He was such a good boy my fault he got that far but i was helping Moo so i just took my eyes off him for a second. For all my faults in my training he came back quickly. I do love him
Sans biggest fault is his inability to do nothing whilst I`m chatting to friends on walks . So , what do I do when he impatiently nudges me ? Give him his ball , silly woman that I am x
Oh yes - I'm very well trained! Tatze is a princess and wants her towel on her chair 'just so' she stands and stares at me until I get up and straighten it! Mollie - well, the list is LONG! I tend to distract her from barking but I've a strong feeling she barks for my actions/distractions ...
