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Likes: playing with other dogs (being chased, wrestling), chasing chipmunks, birds and squirrels, jumping in water
Pet-Peeves: he doesn't have many peeves but he will get nervous around "impolite" dogs
Favorite Toy: a rubber chicken that squeaks
Favorite Food: blueberries, peas, beef, and LIVER!
Favorite Walk: woods, parks, lakes
Best Tricks: he can turn right or left on command, give right or left paw to shake, give high-5
Arrival Story: Henry was rescued from a puppy mill. He was a sick, underweight puppy with chronic illness. He's now healthy and a very happy and playful puppy! He loves his sister and loves doing everything she does.
Bio: Henry is a certified Good Canine Citizen, eats raw meat, and can catch a frisbee in the air! (i am soooo bragging about my big guy!) But he can also be very clumsy. He likes to take other dogs for a walk by taking their leash in his mouth and walking them even changing directions if you ask!! But Henry doesn't like to be told what to do when he doesn't want to do it. Very few things motivate him more than being allowed to run.
He's calm in the house except when Jessie riles him up. Outside is where he really goes wild.
Those baby pictures on the left were Henry at 3 to 4 months old.
Forums Motto: i love the snow
The Groups I'm In: !Border Collie's Only!, Food and Nutrition, Raw Fed
The Last Forum I Posted In: Christmas photo backdrop
I don't know why but Henry didn't listen to recall today. Inside the house I was looking for him 3 times and was calling him and all 3 times he just stayed where he was and I had to find him. His head and ears were perked up, so he heard me, but he didn't come. Then outside he also didn't listen to recall, even on his clothesline. I wonder what makes him listen so well some days, and then not at all another day. Or maybe he was just comfortable inside where he was and didn't want to move, but I'd still like him to come when I call.
Anyway not a training topic, but I fed the dogs salmon tonight. It was their first big salmon meal, usually I cut the salmon up in little pieces and add it to other meals as an extra but I just gave it all tonight. Henry took a long time to chew it so it was a good meal.
It has been a little while since I updated. But I have some wonderful progresses to report! There were also a few setbacks since I last updated, but the strides forward we have taken have made up for the setbacks!
I'll let Henry fill in the first accomplishment:
Hi I am Henry. I love to run! Mom took me and my sister Jessie to the woods. She had me on a long rope called a clothesline. My sister was off leash. Suddenly my sister caught the scent of something good! I know to watch her when she catches a scent. She looks at me. I know it's a good one! Then I smelled it too, and started to run full speed. Mom said "STAY" and I stopped right in my tracks! My whole body was quivering with excitement, but Mom was so proud of me! She said "come" and although I hesitated, I went to Mom!
Me (the mom) typing now:
I was so thrilled with Henry! I did see the deer in the distance, I saw the white of it's tail between all the brown leafless trees leaping away.
Jessie listened to, she ran up the hill toward the deer just a little, then came back to me.
The next day, I started letting Henry off leash at certain spots in the woods that have less deer usually, but the dogs found one again. And this time even though he had no leash or clothesline on, he still stopped again as soon as I said "Stay". He did the same thing again the next day and again today when he wanted to run after a deer.
I still have the problem where I need to repeat "Henry come" before he listens and comes. I know I'm reinforcing it by repeating it though, so I really have to work on just saying "Henry come" once then walking up to him and bringing him to the spot I was in. So he will listen the first time I say come.
But overall I'm really pleased with how the training is going. It's slow and started with baby steps, and I know I have to keep up with this, but it's a rewarding process for both me and Henry.
Henry's responding to the "focus" cue at about 80% now.
When I have the clicker and food as the rewards, it's much harder for Henry to respond to ANY cue, not just focus. He is excited.
I have been asking for "focus" outside now also. Not a training session yet though. Before I let him run, I ask him to give me "focus". Even though I'd have guessed he would have a harder time outside since he's very excited, he WILL give focus outside every time the FIRST time I ask it (YAY!) when he knows the reward is going to be me allowing him to run.
Inside with the food may be harder because I've tried extending my arm out with the treat in that hand and asking for "focus" he has a hard time not looking at that treat. If I hide the treat behind my back, it's better.
I also started playing with a home-made flirt pole with the dogs. I have to make a better one though and let the dogs have more time getting the "prey" at first.
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