And we're back! The internet out at the Farm was absolutely crawling last night and blog posts just were not happening. I feel a little bad too because this one is going to be short. But it is for a very good reason, there just isn't a lot to report. Usually by now there have been a few bad days with some interesting battles to tell about but Copper just hasn't really been much of an arguer. Sure, he can get a little too happy and bounce around the house. And yes, he might have picked up my shoe and pranced with it into the front yard (I was not wearing said shoe at the time). But if the worst behavior I get from a dog is that they celebrate too a little too boisterously I really cannot complain.
I have sung the praises before of the German dogs. I have yet to work with a breed from Germany and not been blown away by their work ethic. Be it Schnauzers, Weims, German Shepherds, Dobermans, or Poodles (yes, they come from Germany) they are all so willing and happy to work with people that training is usually very smooth and the limitations on what you can teach them are usually physical. For example, you could train a Toy Poodle in personal protection but it wouldn't be that effective unless the person the dog was protecting you from had a fit of the giggles.
The only thing copper is still struggling with is Placemat. He is getting much better but I still have to lead him there and sometimes I even help him step on the mat. But he isn't fighting as much, mostly his eyes just blow up and he looks really scared. Once he is on his mat he is staying put and can relax so that is getting much better.
Tomorrow he is getting his video and glamor shot taken for the website and I am going to really try to get him in for his field trip. It has just been one of those weeks and things keep cropping up that make it difficult to fit in his field trip. But I promised him it would happen by Monday and I haven't broken a promise to a boarder yet.
I was about to believe that Copper's halo never slipped when I caught him counter surfing this morning. He made off with a paper towel off of the counter before I could stop him but there wasn't anything very exciting in the paper towel so he didn't get much of a reward. Still, that was the first time he actually successfully stole something. He has sniffed hopefully but I was always able to convince him to rethink his thievery with a strong "NO NO NO" before today.
They make a counter surfing trap that is effective AND fun to watch. It is basically a mousetrap with a fly swatter attached and when the doggy takes the bait he gets flapped on the nose by the trap. I have often considered getting a few to keep out here just for occasions like the one that arrose today.
Enjoy a silly pic of Copper!
I have sung the praises before of the German dogs. I have yet to work with a breed from Germany and not been blown away by their work ethic. Be it Schnauzers, Weims, German Shepherds, Dobermans, or Poodles (yes, they come from Germany) they are all so willing and happy to work with people that training is usually very smooth and the limitations on what you can teach them are usually physical. For example, you could train a Toy Poodle in personal protection but it wouldn't be that effective unless the person the dog was protecting you from had a fit of the giggles.
The only thing copper is still struggling with is Placemat. He is getting much better but I still have to lead him there and sometimes I even help him step on the mat. But he isn't fighting as much, mostly his eyes just blow up and he looks really scared. Once he is on his mat he is staying put and can relax so that is getting much better.
Tomorrow he is getting his video and glamor shot taken for the website and I am going to really try to get him in for his field trip. It has just been one of those weeks and things keep cropping up that make it difficult to fit in his field trip. But I promised him it would happen by Monday and I haven't broken a promise to a boarder yet.
I was about to believe that Copper's halo never slipped when I caught him counter surfing this morning. He made off with a paper towel off of the counter before I could stop him but there wasn't anything very exciting in the paper towel so he didn't get much of a reward. Still, that was the first time he actually successfully stole something. He has sniffed hopefully but I was always able to convince him to rethink his thievery with a strong "NO NO NO" before today.
They make a counter surfing trap that is effective AND fun to watch. It is basically a mousetrap with a fly swatter attached and when the doggy takes the bait he gets flapped on the nose by the trap. I have often considered getting a few to keep out here just for occasions like the one that arrose today.
Enjoy a silly pic of Copper!
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