I have not been very consistent with my blogs this week but Loki has had a good couple of days. We are taking things slowly just because I have so much time with him I might as well be thorough. He has started off leash and is doing fine with it. I haven't had him off leash outside yet but in the training room he has done well.
I have also been working on his hand snapping issue. It is obvious that someone played a mouthy game with him when he was a puppy and it is also obvious that as he grew up he learned that if he snaps at someone who is reaching for him they back off. His world has been turned upside down this week because every time he snaps at me (even and especially if he actually bites my hand) I do not back away but I cuff him under the chin and give him a stern "No!" then I reach for him again and again until he allows me to grab him roughly and handle his collar. I grab him roughly on purpose because it upsets him and I want him to know that it is a good thing when I handle him roughly because we then go for a walk or play a game. Soon he won't be afraid of someone grabbing his collar quickly or even handing his scruff. Over the past few days he has cut down a lot on his hand snapping and only does it when I really surprise him.
He has been interested in the horses but when I took him out there he just put his paws on the fence and stood up to sniff their faces. I am going to see if I can't get him to one of Caitlin's (my little sister) riding lessons where she will be doing some intricate dressage work and the horses will look more fun to chase.
He is doing just fine over all. Is doing REALLY well with Place. His only issue is that he falls asleep and when he wakes up he forgets that he is in a command and gets up. But he stayed on his mat for 2 hours today while I ate lunch and while his buddy, Pearl, was on a mat across the room.
I have also been working on his hand snapping issue. It is obvious that someone played a mouthy game with him when he was a puppy and it is also obvious that as he grew up he learned that if he snaps at someone who is reaching for him they back off. His world has been turned upside down this week because every time he snaps at me (even and especially if he actually bites my hand) I do not back away but I cuff him under the chin and give him a stern "No!" then I reach for him again and again until he allows me to grab him roughly and handle his collar. I grab him roughly on purpose because it upsets him and I want him to know that it is a good thing when I handle him roughly because we then go for a walk or play a game. Soon he won't be afraid of someone grabbing his collar quickly or even handing his scruff. Over the past few days he has cut down a lot on his hand snapping and only does it when I really surprise him.
He has been interested in the horses but when I took him out there he just put his paws on the fence and stood up to sniff their faces. I am going to see if I can't get him to one of Caitlin's (my little sister) riding lessons where she will be doing some intricate dressage work and the horses will look more fun to chase.
He is doing just fine over all. Is doing REALLY well with Place. His only issue is that he falls asleep and when he wakes up he forgets that he is in a command and gets up. But he stayed on his mat for 2 hours today while I ate lunch and while his buddy, Pearl, was on a mat across the room.
RSS Feed