Wednesday 30 December 2009

Puppy progress

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.

Thursday 24 December 2009

Late Christmas Eve

My mum and I have not long finished my youngest son Callum's Christmas sack. It's a big, padded sack in Christmassy material, with his name embroidered in green on the front. My eldest Jamie has one too, made for him for his first Christmas. I can't believe that his time last year I was pregnant with Callum, and the year before that with Jamie! He will be 2 years old in a couple of weeks time, and it's hard to believe that all that time has gone by. We can't imagine our lives without our beautiful children and we really do celebrate the fact that our family has been so blessed to have them.

Today I am grateful for my Mum who is such a constant source of love for me and my little family. I couldn't have made Callum's Christmas sack without her, and she is one of the few who understand just how important it is that these small things get done. Happy Christmas everyone!

Monday 14 December 2009

"Gosh you have your hands full!"

Now admittedly I was a little tired when what felt like the HUNDREDTH person said this to me this morning when I was out walking the dogs, but really! What do they expect me to say?? How would they suggest I walk my dogs without the children being present, and frankly as my dogs are so lovely and generally well-behaved (note I don't say perfect!) I'm often in a better position to cope than the owners with one naughty dog! Okay, rant over!

Little Diva has now been home a week and Lel commented earlier that she's sparkier and more confident every time she sees her. I'm really pleased with that, I had hoped she was but it's sometimes difficult to be objective when you're with them all the time. We really are working hard on socializing opportunities and varying the context in which she experiences different things. Earlier I had to bring my friend Lizzie's horses in and as I was driving to Cardiff afterwards, I had them all out to give them a chance to go to the toilet whilst I was walking the horses in. Diva's face was a picture as she realised the scale of the 'dog' her mum was putting a headcollar on, but she trotted close by on the way back with no worries. Amazing considering the incredible size difference - a very brave little lady indeed!

Another long day ahead of me tomorrow so will sign off now, but just wanted to let everyone know how Diva's getting on. Thanks to everyone who keeps asking after her, I'm very pleased with her and I definitely made the right choice bringing her home.

Today I'm grateful for my canine teachers past and present, for giving me the knowledge to bring up Diva to be a strong, confident little dog.

Thursday 10 December 2009

Progress report

Diva has been settling in nicely. Kai & Ella are suffering her at present, but I do see the occasional moment of warmth so the time will definitely come when it's all three of them against the world. Toilet training is getting there - had to remind myself to restrict access to help her avoid making mistakes, but I think she's getting the hang of going out in the garden. Just starting to use a word for her to associate the action with it now too - it's such a useful thing to have them go to the toilet on command.

Socialisation program is in progress and happy that we're heading in the right direction. She's been introduced to lots of different people, and has visited our parents homes as well as Mike's work. As well as car rides at the beginning of the week, we introduced the van and she's now travelling happily in there too. We've had a go with feeding a meal or two in a Puppy Kong, which was very funny to watch the first time - she didn't really understand what to do at all! She's quite noise sensitive which I'm familiar with because of the collies, so we're gradually desensitizing her by exposing her to various situations likes shops/ roads etc. We've also had a CD playing various sounds, gradually increasing the volume. She takes more notice of it than Kai & Ella so it's definitely a useful tool to have.

Diva's now used to her rather smart puppy collar, but I've decided I will teach her about the lead once I have a harness for her. I'm concerned if she were to panic and run then she might jolt her neck on a collar, and it's such a small neck! So that's the plan for tomorrow morning, to find a suitable small harness for her. Other than that we've been to our first puppy socialisation class with Leanne Barnes, had a vet check with Sue Yeo, and I'm pleased with her promise for playing tuggy with me - even in situations where there's a lot going on. She's also a big foody, and even if she's a bit worried about something then she'll usually take a tasty treat!

Training wise I introduced/ loaded the clicker with her breakfast meal this morning, and my plan is to see if I can avoid luring the usual behaviours such as sit/ down/ stand etc. We had a little training session earlier to do the 'Sit' and she was so delightful to work with - so eager and excitable. Learning is a lovely game as far as she's concerned, and I have every intention that it will always be so.

Today I'm grateful for my Dad who helped his daughter when she needed him - he's the best :-)

Monday 7 December 2009

Introducing...

Meet Diva! She is a tricolour shetland sheepdog puppy, who will be 10 weeks this Wednesday. We collected her from her breeders in Llanelli around midday today, and despite the long drive home she was quite content in the car - no fear, no accidents. Very happy to be cuddled :-)

We waited until today to collect her as we were away over the weekend for Mike's 30th birthday, down in Cornwall. As well as relaxing, I confess quite a few dog training books/ manuals made it down in my bag! It's been a while since we've had a puppy in the house (Ella's going to be 4 in March) so I just wanted to refresh my memory a bit before Diva came home. From what I do recall, due to the fact that Ella joined us in the wake of Kai's devastating accident (which saw the removal of his front right leg) I didn't dare trust my instincts when it came to raising her in the early days. I read a lot before she came home then too, but I'm a different person to the one that brought that tiny collie pup home.

My knowledge of dog training is constantly expanding, and Diva will benefit from a host of new training ideas and principles that Toby & Lucy, my first dogs, were never introduced to. And you know what - Diva will miss out on stuff that I will learn in the future, just as they have done. Will that make them enjoy their training less, or be lesser dogs because of it? Not a chance. Something that I have inspired in all my dogs is their desire to work for and please me - even those pesky terriers that I started with almost 10 years ago. My methods for teaching are better than they were then, but it's no good knowing a library full of theory unless you're able to put it into practice. For that you need empathy and understanding, and a sincere resolution to give your all - just as you expect your dog to do. I think that's what I do rather well, and I thank all the dogs both past and present who have helped me to become the handler that I am today.

So baby Diva, I have a stack of training ideas and concepts that will be rolled out in your training in the weeks to come; but first and foremost I'll be going with my instincts as to what I believe is best for you. Building a relationship and a solid foundation of trust and understanding is my top priority. I'm already proud of you and how you've coped with a busy first day - looking forward to what's to come!

Today I'm grateful for my mother-in-law for having our beautiful children for us whilst we were away, and for the wonderful weekend Mike and I shared together :-)