eskieservant
Posted : 5/31/2006 12:07:20 PM
Yesterday our 2 year Eskimo was evaluated by non-treat based trainer. As expected he did not want to let her into the house. I took it as a very good sign that he did let in the lady who boards him the first time she came to the house to pick him up. He sees her every Thurs. at socialization and adores her, but entering puppy's house is sometimes different. So of course when trainer arrived he barked and we all know how Eskies can bark - and jump about. I had him harnessed and on his leash. While you could see his glorious, huge teeth as he barked, he did not snarl or growl - actually I have never seen him sneer or show his gum line. Just gets worried. He wouldn't stop so we put him in living room behind baby gate which is a joke because he could jump it at 13 weeks - 11 lbs. - but he somehow understood he needed to be good. Silence as long as he couldn't see trainer. When she leaned back in chair he barked. So out came her selection of choke chains and I put it on and brought him around. He did not bark. We went out to yard and she took him around in circles starting with Heel command and then Sit when they stopped. She had to pull only twice - he is very sensitive to him own pain - ouch means nothing to him, the little devil - and she did so only lightly. But our Eskie is a very smart dog - fortunately I had a Dachshund that was super brilliant so am one step ahead. So then I started taking him around - hard for me to hold the leash right but am getting there - and he was absolutely EXCELLENT! So redeemed himself. She realized he was a very quick study - the hardest to train. So last night I made my husband use the choke chain for after dinner walk. After 45 minutes - usually they are gone 2 minutes - I was beginning to worry. Apparently they had taken a different route just in case Eskie acted up and had walked for several blocks as strangers pointed out what a beautiful "girl" he is (he is a very girly looking guy) and how WELL BEHAVED. He didn't bark at anyone or even at other dogs - or lunge. Of course kind of hard to lunge when you have only 2 feet of loose leash! He was equally good at bedtime walk and during our 3 walks so far today. Of course he glanced wistfully at his harness. Tomorrow is his socialization day, so we will use choke chain to get from car to groomer's and then I will put him in his harness as it has all of his ID attached and he goes for a walk with the dog walker in the ravine for an hour - he wears his orange vest on these occasions. So all in all a miracle. Next step is the Martingale collar and then a rolled leather - although I will probably keep using his harnesses - he has 3 of the same - perhaps I will add the choke chain as a decorative "reminder". A lady I know with a Beagle does this otherwise it is business as usual once harness is on. So for just 1/2 hour of practice with the trainer he is doing very well. During his treat based training he was the star pupil - I wanted a video cam for home. Our next appointment is scheduled for 2 weeks. Trainer will bring one of her dogs and we will do meet and greet on the streets. Our guy has to do well since this lady has trained more than half of his friends at socialization - including his groomer's dogs. Andi, no dog of mine would ever go to the pound. Actually it is a wonder I haven't been bumped off for our insurance money as our wills have been updated insuring that Eskie is well taken care of - was very careful to pick the lucky new Mom, with a backup plan, since in Canada - as in many places in the US - a dog is a chattel. Makes me sick that so many adult children/grandchildren will pick up their inheritances and then drop dog off at pound or a rescue. No way! My vet gets our angel. Will update as training continues but boy, what a change in the little guy. Actually he is very good-natured - my vet said the best natured Spitz she has come across in 30 years of practice. He sure is good natured at socialization as the other dogs hang over his back and pull him by his very hot looking, tantalizing tush! Even turns him on.