Dog Community

Feeling REAL good and wanted to share

Posted : 4/20/2007 9:04:28 PM

I've been reading "For the Love of a Dog". I hadn't realized until I read it that "happy dogs" have their mouths open. Prancers mouth is NEVER opened - EVER - until tonight. We were playing - not vigorously enough to tire her out and make her hot - but afterward she pranced around ... well ... smiling. No teeth but a wide open mouth. I feel so good about that - I feel like she's now REALLY feeling that this is home (we adopted her Jan 20th).

On other notes - I bought more groceries for the next round of homecooking - and that's made me feel real good also

And finally - she's actually learned *heel* - and very quickly - all from what I've learned from this forum. We had to drop out of basic obedience due to scheduling conflicts, but I've kept up her training by learning through this forum. Someone had said they taught their dog to heel by starting with the *touch* command. I taught Prancer "touch" which she learned very quickly - then taught "dance" by holding my hand above her head. About 2 wks ago I thought it was time to move on to a "real" command so I tried "heel" - first indoors, with lots of practice. Then outside - just a few steps at a time - then a few steps and one turn - then two turns. Tonight she did a PERFECT heel out front. It was right in front of the house but my husband was there (he's a distraction LOL). Then he REALLY distracted her by making funny sounds - and she stayed in the heel ! I cannot tell you how proud I am of that little fluffernutter of mine.

I just had to share with people who understand the feelings I have [

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Jewlieee

Posted : 4/20/2007 9:38:11 PM

Congrats on the heel! That command was super HARD for my husky. She just wanted to PULL! All the time haha.

Also, I know what you mean about the doggy smile. I always get a little mood boost when I see my pups smiling

To me, it means that you're doing something right and providing a good home with enough activity to keep them happy. So, good job

I'm glad to hear that your pup is finally feeling at home.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/20/2007 9:59:26 PM

I just LOVE grinning dogs! Emma smiles, a lot, and it's very obvious that's what she's doing. Her whole face lights up.

Hopefully, you have lots of years of Prancer grins, ahead[

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Ixas_girl

Posted : 4/21/2007 1:18:31 AM

Mmmm! Smiling pupper. [

] 'Tis a goodie goodie thing!

I didn't see Ixa smile for almost 2 months after adopting her, and McConnell's book enlightened me, too!

Atta girl's for the great care you are taking with the food and the training!

Jeanne Gilda

Posted : 4/21/2007 4:15:55 AM

ORIGINAL: JoAnnDe

I've been reading "For the Love of a Dog". I hadn't realized until I read it that "happy dogs" have their mouths open.

Wow can learn so many things from this forum! I always wondered what people meant then they talked about their dog smiling...now I know! Thanks[

] I have also learned that Bogey smiles a lot and that makes me smile[

] Congrats on the "heel" as well, Bog and I are still working on that....out in public perfect heel, walking at home, way to dog park constant pulling....too much excitement???[8D]

spiritdogs

Posted : 4/21/2007 5:48:27 AM

Congratulations on your success. Keep up the good work - and the "smiles". [

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JoAnnDe

Posted : 4/21/2007 7:53:24 AM

I really love Pat McConnell's books. I read "The Other End of the Leash" in two days - I was practically glued to that book ! She's very witty also, which adds some fun into the reading. I can't really read alot of Prancers expressions - she's pretty fluffy, but I've gotten more attuned to her body language. And I've used some of the expressions myself on Prancer.
I taught Prancer "Quiet" using the trick from The Other End of the Leash
And I got her to stop humping my leg by using the same "quick glare then ignore" that dogs use on each other to say "stop that - its annoying and I'm NOT happy with you". - It worked like a charm ! I only had to do it twice (3 nights apart) before Prancer realized I wasn't kidding.

When I first taught Prancer "touch" my husband thought I was wasting my time with impractical commands - he's eating his words now LOL. His jaw literally dropped open during that heel last night.

Ixas_girl

Posted : 4/21/2007 10:58:16 AM

Please do give us an update when you decide to start using your new training skills on DH [

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JoAnnDe

Posted : 4/21/2007 12:18:14 PM

Please do give us an update when you decide to start using your new training skills on DH

ROFL - indeed ! However he may be the one REAL example of "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". But he's pretty handy to have around, so I'll keep him LOL

chewbecca

Posted : 4/21/2007 12:23:17 PM

my dog must be REAL unhappy because she only gives me bully smiles if we're playing or if she's just gotten done exercising.[

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JoAnnDe

Posted : 4/21/2007 2:56:21 PM

my dog must be REAL unhappy because she only gives me bully smiles if we're playing or if she's just gotten done exercising

YOUR dog unhappy ??? LOL - I seriously doubt it. Some dogs just simply don't smile. Today was another closed mouthed day - some dogs just don't do that happy pant that alot of dogs do.

chewbecca

Posted : 4/21/2007 3:58:09 PM

ORIGINAL: JoAnnDe

my dog must be REAL unhappy because she only gives me bully smiles if we're playing or if she's just gotten done exercising

YOUR dog unhappy ??? LOL - I seriously doubt it. Some dogs just simply don't smile. Today was another closed mouthed day - some dogs just don't do that happy pant that alot of dogs do.

aw! Thanks! I think...hahahaha, if that was a compliment![

]

Speaking of dogs that SHOULD be happy, or if their happiness can be partly based on food, Ella should be REAL happy here in a couple of days. I'm thawing chicken leg quarters, half a beef heart, some kidney and liver, and I've got some yams, rice, and carrots all ready to go into the crockpot! She'll be a happy dog!
er...or at least healthy![

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JoAnnDe

Posted : 4/21/2007 4:12:14 PM

Yes it was a BIG compliment ! Between the food, the care and the collars - I'm sure she's happy

willowchow

Posted : 4/21/2007 4:15:46 PM

Hi guys. Becca--Sorry, I wasn't going to post but then thought maybe I should. I just wanted to let you know in case you didn't know already. The organ meats should only make up a small portion of the diet, 5% I believe.

And, I also wanted to let you know they can cause some loose stool (especially when you use more than one at a time) which I know you've been battling.

Anyway, just wanted to let know know, sorry if you already do.

And, I think both Prancer and Bella are very lucky and happy.

chewbecca

Posted : 4/21/2007 4:24:06 PM

Thanks, JoannDe!

Lori-
Ella does battle with loose stools (so, of course, I do, too [

] ) so I will probably not be using but a few-four pieces (they're cut up into 1 ounce pieces) in this crockpot batch. The beef heart she LOVES. My boyfriend asked me today if I ever plan on crockpotting for our family and not just the dog! haha. I cook for us everyday, I just rarely use the crockpot for us.

I'm just trying to use up some of the meat I have in the freezer from when I fed her raw. I have two 10 lb. bags of chicken leg quarters to use up and about 30 more pounds of beef heart! That's A LOT of food.