OUR FRIEND HAS LEFT US

I suspect we're going to have to use a proper training lead with her - at least once or twice a day.

Clicker training isn't a bad idea. I've got some grounding in the technique.

It's been a week.

I'm not feeling despairing yet

We got a dog who apparently peed and marked non-stop in the home she just came from - that was why they basically never let her out of the crate after the rescue. She's been really good with that. Uses the pee pads inside once or twice a day - maximum - and makes it outside for the rest of her needs.

She didn't have a collar when we got her - had really never been on a walk. She likes having the leash put on - likes to walk. Now she has to learn walk manners.

Given the nutty dogs Bailey and Cleo were when they each came to leave with me, I think we're going to make it with Bella. It's just an adjustment.

Yes yes yes about the name.

Bella is NOT food-motivated and doesn't really understand getting treats. Definitely have to determine what her big motivator is - other than love.

I trained Bailey to the AKC CGC level and did some agility training with him as well. The skills are here (dog and human), it's remembering that the humans need to be 100% consistent.

I've been quiet, but I don't like it that you two get to be lectured about dog care. I listen to both of you.
On the other hand, I don't think firefly knew all that and was describing help to a newbie.

That Set was new or not, I dunno, surely she has noticed Set.

firefly doesn't know the history here - rescue dogs R us

training will happen as the dogs are able and capable

Set and I will disagree on some aspects of training and agree on others. As long as we're both 100% consistent on the parts we agree on, I think this will all work out to the pack's benefit.

I suspect Bella will be easier to train than Cleo was and more difficult than Bailey - she is a stubborn little woman.

How 'bout doggie yoga class. Downward facing dog?

hahaha that is one of Bella's favourite poses - a combination of puppy play posture and something that comes from too much time in a crate

you guys deserve a big hug for taking these dogs that were not living their previous lives in a loving home. Ive never taken in a pound dog but we have taken in a few strays and have found them to be amazingly loving (they are sometimes a real PITA with their "pet me, love me, feed me" attitude.
We had a rotty that someone dumped off on us and it turned out to be the biggest friendly doofus ever. We kept it a year or so and hen our neighbor wanted a pre trained family dog we relented and gave him up to our hoss raising neighbor. They named him Boris and then got a Jack Russell they named Natasha. They are a happy team and we see them often and Boris still loves us up whenever we go down there but hes a bit aloof with Cable TV guys and UPS /Fed Ex vans.
All this talk is making Mrs F begin to soften her resolve to getting another dog . Shes still in a bit of mourning over Ernie. This AM the Lancaster paper had a feature editorial about the reporters family dog who developed diabetes and went south rapidly. Mrs F had lots of tears welling up and we started remembering Ernie and his ADD

Keep the training journal going, Its interesting reading, even the asides and misunderstandings.

The most important thing is that. My parents always had dogs and my mom and dad always called em by different names. The dogs were schizo

Consistency and love go a long way in training.

Bella has clearly been subject to punishment over the months/years. She runs away and hides after using the pee pads. I've been trying to spot her when she's using them so I can praise her for that as well as praising her for going out.

We don't want her to be a frightened girl.

We want her to be a confident dog - proud to behave in a way that will gets her lots of praise.

I thought all pet dogs were schizoid. Don't they want to eat their owners but chase cats instead because they are smaller?

What's in pet foods? Do they have "e" numbers on the labels?

I have a pot dog sat on the fireplace hearth. The bugger has never once looked at me as if I am the greatest gift to creation. The upside is that it never farts.

I have no idea how it got there. It's a midget black and white hound of some sort.

That's what I was thinking.....especially coming to the part of "dogs can learn at any age....and I've only trained puppies 2-3 months old.

I seriously can't believe anyone would think you are ehbeth are novices at training a pooch, of any age.

Time takes time.

num nums,

tonight I'm simmering carrots in a broth based on home-made lamb meatballs

the 'juice' drained from a can of tuna is in there too

stinky eh

tomorrow's kibble will be served in a tuna/carrot/lamb meatball soup

Sympathy from me to Mrs. Farmer; I can hardly type, farmer, it's just that I will type before I eat.

That sounds all about me (it was), but I hope you two gettapooch.

The little girl dog is lying on the floor, smiling up at me. Walks make her very happy. She's beginning to understand "no," and to stop at the end of the sidewalk, but she still wants to suddenly dart out in the street as the notion moves her. She forgets between street corners that she's not supposed to go into the street until she is told she must. It really does resemble ADD . . . "Waling along, not going in the street, walking along, not going into the street, walking al . . . Hey! Look! There's some guy walking a dog on the other side of the street ! ! !"

And now, a half hour later, I think that is all none of my business.
Mrs. Farmer gets to choose what she needs.

jeezus, stop your worrying. I wouldna posted it if I didn't want to share the info.

I'm not worrying. I am trying not to tell her what to do - which I seem to have been, and caught myself.