Once she's been soundly sleeping, being nudged by conscience to "do something around the house while you CAN"... I carry her to the safe space, and my heart warms that she does not resist, but goes right in to where she knows nothing can get to her.
When she's awake, of course she wants to come out and play some more, and that is as it should be. But when there are human things that must be done... she's better off in her safe space even during waking times.
That is where "chew toy training" comes in. YouTube creator Ian of Simpawtico dog training has a series on the proper use of a Kong, and other dog toys, which he categories into groups: chew toys, interactive toys, and plush toys.
Chew toys should be always available to the doggie. Interactive toys should be ONLY available when the human is interacting, and plush toys are only to be used for training gentleness (i.e. the human teaches how to properly TREAT the plush toy). Here's a link to the "Take it" / "Leave it" commands.
The concept that he uses is that "a thing is not what it is, it is what you train it to be." What a thought! This is where the chew toy training comes in. Dogs need to learn what a great thing a chew toy is, because it is just plain not inherently as much fun as interactive play! However it is a calming thing for the pup to be chewing.
Based on his idea of how to make a chew toy more attractive, I smeared a little peanut butter in the indentations of her small bone, to see if it would indeed make that a more favored toy. Because even once the peanut butter has been licked off, the scent and small bits remain in whatever tooth indentations might be on said bone.
He separates out Kong training from the major topic of chew toy training for special focus, including what not to waste your money on (spray on cans of filling) and how to train on a budget.
And Barb keeps on learning about how to help her puppy learn to be a good dog, because clearly that's what she aspires to grow up to be.
A dog's life is also a Life that is Good! Spark on!
Whew! And I thought potty training a 2yo was work. Did that job 5 times. 👶🏼
ReplyDeleteLiving in the country, peanut butter would never work here. We bait mouse traps with peanut butter. The mice love it.
Happy Friday! Have a wonderful weekend! 🤗💖🐶😸
That's true! I had forgotten, but we baited mouse traps with peanut butter, too! I don't have a mouse problem here, in that The Prisoner keeps them at bay. Old man, but still mighty hunter!
DeleteYes, it's work beyond just potty training, but fortunately for puppies, while intense in its content, the time frame is foreshortened compared to human babies! Physical maturity happens in the first 18 months or so.
Happy Friday to you and a wonderful weekend, too!
Laughing! Just like with little human kiddos . . . you get things done as they allow. LOL
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Love that philosophy that a thing is not what it is, it is what you train it to be! Going to look @ the link. Even though Miss Lilly is going to be 5 (!) I am sure there are sure things that will be helpful. Thanks/.
Here’s to continued growth and training for BOTH hu-mom and Emmy!
Hugs
Barb
1cd
Thanks! Today was a good day.
DeleteIs it possible for her to look bigger in just two days? She does to my eye, in the sleeping under the chair photo. DH says she’s the type of dog where you go to sleep with a puppy, and wake up with a dog (or horse). He is predicting she will be quite big! But having lived with large dogs on the farm, I’m sure he knows more about their growth rates. Good job, hu-mom, investing in the training that will pay off down the road. 🤗❤️🐾
ReplyDeleteThanks! Lacey says she shares Carl's ability to look tiny in one pose and huge in another. And like human children, sometimes just the body posture is enough to affect how you perceive their size.
Delete^ that was me ~Ace
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DeleteP.S. She does seem to be sleeping better now that I upped the food ration.
Delete❤️
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