I don't know if I dare write this down, but I'm so pleased I think I'm going to have to - Diva hasn't had an accident indoors for 5 whole days! What a clever, little puppy! I am very proud of her, as today I've watched her take herself outdoors a couple of times to go to the toilet - it does help that we have a cat flap that she's prepared to use. She looks kind of surprised when I rush out to tell her what a good girl she is, but pleased nonetheless for having a bit of fuss :-)
I am really enjoying bringing Diva up, and I feel happy and confident that we're on the right track for our particular journey. I have been in debate with our puppy school instructor on some of the socialising opportunities with the other pups, as I have erred on the side of caution rather than let Diva have a bad experience by playing with the bigger puppies. Plus I don't want her to learn that other dogs might be more interesting than my good self :-) Admittedly even Martin Tait thinks I'm being woosy. But regardless of what other people think, I need to be comfortable with the decisions I make for MY puppy and she will have faith in me as long as I do. Self belief is at the crux of dog training as dog's know when our heart isn't in something. It's my unwavering belief in the knowledge that I have raised 4 other puppies who's company I now enjoy as adults, that gives me the confidence to say that this puppy will be another great dog too.
The science and understanding of dog training is constantly expanding. That along with the fact that each dog we ever train will be different from the one that went before, means that we shouldn't ever believe that there isn't more we can learn. I recently came across this link with some fascinating information regarding the concepts of pack dynamics and the dominance theory which is so often bandied about. It makes for interesting reading, so have a read and let me know what you think:
http://www.dogwelfarecampaign.org/
Today I am grateful for the wealth of information available to me and my dog training peers, and the buzz I get out of learning about my favourite subject.
I am really enjoying bringing Diva up, and I feel happy and confident that we're on the right track for our particular journey. I have been in debate with our puppy school instructor on some of the socialising opportunities with the other pups, as I have erred on the side of caution rather than let Diva have a bad experience by playing with the bigger puppies. Plus I don't want her to learn that other dogs might be more interesting than my good self :-) Admittedly even Martin Tait thinks I'm being woosy. But regardless of what other people think, I need to be comfortable with the decisions I make for MY puppy and she will have faith in me as long as I do. Self belief is at the crux of dog training as dog's know when our heart isn't in something. It's my unwavering belief in the knowledge that I have raised 4 other puppies who's company I now enjoy as adults, that gives me the confidence to say that this puppy will be another great dog too.
The science and understanding of dog training is constantly expanding. That along with the fact that each dog we ever train will be different from the one that went before, means that we shouldn't ever believe that there isn't more we can learn. I recently came across this link with some fascinating information regarding the concepts of pack dynamics and the dominance theory which is so often bandied about. It makes for interesting reading, so have a read and let me know what you think:
http://www.dogwelfarecampaign.org/
Today I am grateful for the wealth of information available to me and my dog training peers, and the buzz I get out of learning about my favourite subject.
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