So, been doing the find it game. He loves it. He’s getting faster and I can actually hear his jowls slap his gums with intensity when he searches. He’s a natural, only problem is that he gets so excited when he reaches the goal that I have to shut him down. This exercise was supposed to be something I could do indoors while his leg heals and we’re actually at more risk of causing complications than if we don’t. Shame he loves it so much. Maybe an airport in his future. I think a neuter is in his future. He’s sitting erect and panting because I said good boy for finding a treat. If I don’t work with him he licks the floor and or himself. Too smart for his own good.
Can I add that after we stopped playing he calmed down, looked satisfied and behaved brilliant for the rest of the night. Is mental stimulation and praise really the ticket? Was he that happy to achieve a goal and what he perceives to have pleased me what he seeks ?
I’ve also noticed that before his surgery we were working on walking nice with a slack lead and a crude version of heel. Now that he’s not well he needs to be on lead as per doctors orders, but when I take him out for a wee and feeling bad for him I decided to let him lead and follow him around. He stands by my side and waits for me to lead him( except when he really needs to go). So there we are waiting for each other to make a move. The reason I’m posting this is because I’m wondering how easy is it to confuse or send mixed signals? Am I making progress dealing with a wounded dependent animal or am I confusing the hell out of him??
Mental stimulation really does help them, Harley loves it when I say 'let's do some training' and it tires them out a lot. As for being on lead, he might be getting confused as he's not used to leading, only walking by your side. I don't know the answer to what to do though, sorry.
I suppose you could use this opportunity to train a relaxed lead walk, where Duggan can go ahead on his lead. Then when you get it on cue, he definitely won't get mixed up. That's more fun for you, training & tiring him.
