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Barnyard Buddies:  Training Gingy  |
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LaLa
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Laura
Hickory
North Carolina
USA
233 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 10 2014 : 6:51:23 PM
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As part of Gingy's new routine without Georgi (insert sad face), I'm currently working to strengthen his sitting on command, and adding "sit up" to this (some people call it "sit pretty" but he's all boy, so yeah...)
I have a training book involving games to play with the dog in order to train him. DH and I are going to look at it together in the coming weeks, make a few notes, and pick out the order to teach him things.
In the meantime, I'm really struggling with something... and I could use a little help.
Gingy is very high-energy (totally not a problem for us; he gets lots of exercise) and LOVES going out for walks and above all else, playing fetch. We take his Chuckit Ball Launcher with us 3 out of the 5 times he goes outside each day. We still have him do his business out there and all, but he gets to play, too and burn off a lot of energy.
The problem we're having is that... well, I've mentioned before that Gingy hops. Practically nonstop. I love his hopping. But there is a time and a place. Someone here recommended we put a hand above his head and tell him "no"... maybe we're doing it wrong or aren't being assertive enough, because he didn't quit. He doesn't care if he hits our hands hard enough to make it sound like we slapped him or not.
Well... he does this when he's on a leash, too. The day after Georgi passed, we took Gingy for a walk. He miscalculated the length of his leash versus the height of the 2 steps leading onto our porch, leapt off the porch, and subsequently bashed his little chin into the step. I had to ice it a little because it was swelling -- it's healed now, but after everything with Georgi, believe me, I freaked. I had a "MY BABY MY BABY" moment right there. If DH hadn't been there, I probably would've cried. At any rate -- he's perfectly fine, but it would really help if I could get him to be C.A.L.M. before we walk out the door. There is a street immediately in front of our home with only about 2 feet of lawn between the porch and the road, so I'm concerned that if he does this hop thing too much, he could manage to weasle his way off the leash or whip the leash out my hands and run into oncoming vehicles... I need some assistance with this for my peace of mind and his safety.
I have a friend who is being so kind as to offer her training expertise and assistance... but she has also made some comments that make me feel uncomfortable about working so closely with her -- and I had sincerely wished to train him myself. Dog training is something I've longed to have a hand in for years, and this is a great opportunity to use the knowledge I've gleaned from previous dogs and the trainers who taught them so well and find out if it's something I'm really cut out for. So... tips and an opportunity to try on my own go a long way.
A little help?? And about the hand above his face to stop the hopping -- are we just not being assertive enough, or is he just being a stubborn little dog? Lol.
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
DH and I share a blog: http://wesubtleties.tumblr.com
Follow on Twitter: @wesubtleties |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2014 : 7:39:43 PM
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I highly recomend "Rescue Remedy",(made by Bach, and a few drops on his tounge is all you need) it is all natural stress relief, made from flower essences, it will calm him down and relax him so he will be more reseptive to your voice, I also recommend teaching him the basics of sit, stay and down before any tricks, and once hes mastered those, putting him in a sit-stay, or a down when he starts hopping will help...15 mins aday to start, and then 2 x aday after he is doing well, one command at a time...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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LaLa
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Laura
Hickory
North Carolina
USA
233 Posts |
Posted - Aug 10 2014 : 7:44:36 PM
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Very cool!! I'll look up the Rescue Remedy and get some for us. Sounds like it would help in a few areas -- he's still obviously grieving over Georgi, and I'm sure that adds a little stress as well.
Thank you for the tip!
http://lalauland.tumblr.com
http://lalauland.etsy.com
Follow me on Twitter: @lalauland
DH and I share a blog: http://wesubtleties.tumblr.com
Follow on Twitter: @wesubtleties |
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Barnyard Buddies: Training Gingy |
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Training Gingy
