FrederykBlot

Hello, I'm glad the forum is back. I'm proud not having too much questions since it has been such a long time :) - Loki is growing good and beautiful. He started to become a redhead :D :D (see attached pictures :)) - We're becoming 5,5 mo. It seems he's having a new teething period. He's chewing a lot more, and with more strength. But on this, we stopped trying to preserve chews, bones, and so... He's getting more bones and chews than ever, because without them, it's on furnitures and with mollars that are now out, it's quicker to kill a chair or wood table - I finally start to wake up around 8AM, and the end of sleep deprivation is a life saver. 7AM / 8AM is still early, but I do not feel like a zombie all day anymore - His sleep needs seemed to have evolved. Specially the evening nap, that we used for dinner. Usually after a big walk / awake session, we put him to sleep in the playpen at 7PM (he even goes in by himself) and eat until 8:30PM something like that. But lately, he won't go again by himself, even throw some whining and barking when being put in, and awakes in less than an hour. It is like a real regression ? or just changing circumstances ? I don't think he hates the playpen as enjoy doing pen games like IN and OUT... But yeah, it seems just like early evening is not a nap time anymore - We receive many people and family lately, so the schedule has been disrupted. No more naps in the pen in the morning nor in the evening. Lots of bones and high value chews to keep him busy, while we eat, or take the aperitif... It went well globally, but I hope being back to normal once the people period will pass won't be too hard. We even tried to put him in the pen in the same room as us when we were eating desserts (because he sometimes finished his chews before we ended eating) and it was ok : a little whining, but he mostly sits quietly hoping to be brought back. We didn't let him very long, so it didn't became a pain for him - outside "leave it" and "drop it" are still difficult, and recalls can be either superb, or just total ignore... I'm starting to wonder it teenage time isn't beginning, specially with the new teething thing - he likes to hump other dogs : what should we do about that ? some owners are ok and let their dogs decide if they're ok with that or... some owners aren't... what should be done ? I heard it was a dominance thing as with its age it's not likely sexual... Will he grow dominant on us or others if we allow that ? he never humps me, sometimes my gf - I'm a bit jealous of something, he seems to be really more into my gf than into me, whereas I'm the one taking the most time for him :) But he plays more easily with her, whines when she goes out his sight, and on morning she has a bigger party than me... but she also get more biting, and a little humping too... can this be a gender thing ? can it be something I did ? As I'm doing the most obedience, maybe I am the "annoying guy that gives orders" ? I was hoping to send just an update message, but I guess they are always questions about raising puppies :)

It also depends on your constraints I guess When I was younger we had a house on our own, with a fully concealed yard There was no issue letting my dog there They dug here and there but we had no trouble with it Now I rent, so digging is out of the picture And although there is a fence, it's not fully concealed and there are gaps to the neighbors... So this time, never the yard alone

I hear you with the grass and rocks Actually on our side, this is really difficult. Those are ultra high value to Loki. When he's with grass, toys don't do it. Little things that helped on that : - starting an obedience session / working on basic cues - Having him tired beforehand. Eating grass and rocks seem to come from boredom for him

By the way, the website is working again. I managed to see the article.

Haha I couldn't not react to those eyes It says it all "Seriously..." "Mom please do something, I can't take it anymore" "Arhhhh kids..." But also good job capturing the exact moment 😂😂

Hi Following the détails of this célébration day, we had a "what in Holy Sacred just happened moment" About car training, lately we didn't do much specific training but we tweak a bit the installation in the car : - we actually put the cooling mat in the car crate. Before it was a bedding thing, with fabric... And cleaning after the vomit was always harder. Cleaning mat served 2 purpose : make cleaning easier, and refresh him while in the car. And this really helped. We noticed the first +30min trip without vomit after that, being in a fresher area in must have helped - we moved a bit the crate on the other side. That way, it was easier for my gf to pick him up to put in the crate, and easier to pick him up to put him out of the car. We thought that even if we force him a bit it is at least way quicker and he would stay less longer in a stressed state. Before We sometimes took almost 10 min to make him go out because he wouldn't figure out how to get out, nor wanted to be picked up - all vaccination are done for at least a year, so all the last trips were for pure pleasure : New walking place, puppy school, dog pension visits... we were aware that it may be not the perfect scénario, at least, that we saw progress : less whining, less vomiting... And thought we were on a right track and yesterday, moment of Grace : we went on a nice new walking place, he even met a young Bernese with whom he was allowed to play unleashed... moment to get back, I open the car door, before my gf was supposed to pick him up, but he jumped on the passenger seat, went in the crate through the middle between passager and driver seat, and lied down... we couldn't believe it... slow and steady, with good sense and benevolence would make everything possible !

Célébration day today people !!! Day of joy !! Mister Loki finally accepted to go through the dreaded feared road. I must confess I didn't train it specifically lately but several things may have helped : - we sometimes walk by until he was not ok with going further, then just stayed around enjoying there while being sure he was under threshold and not in a fearful mood - sometimes we met dogs and people around he could greet and train impulse control with - he even met his best doggy friend and could even fully play with him unleashed one or two times - he was walked there with my parents in Law, who didn't know about this fear. But being with them overdid the fear and he walked with them with no issue (I was a bit bothered as with me he wouldn't... But with them it was ok 😭😂) sometimes it doesn't have to be complicated, but what is sure is what you said : "slow and steady win the race"

Thank you both for the sharing (made me smile / laugh) and for the advice It will come around (I'm in a positive mood today, we had great victories I will share on the dedicated threads)

haha the cute face is something to fear : even if my father in law knew we try to be strict, he couldnt resist to give a little sausage piece while we were having a drink in the yard... "thanks for the non-help in education !!". You know, it's like the grand-parents that like to break everything parent try to educate for their kids 😄 😄 I will try to ask my guests actually... they kinda dog lovers, maybe if I tell them just to get clothes they don't care about, they would help during meals thanks for the info about the update, I will wait a bit then until it's fixed.

Hello Adrienne Thank you for your answer We will try the total ignore, and hope it will implement fast enough until we have new guests I'm not really comfortable telling my guests "let pup have paws on you while you eat" 🙂 (which are likely to be dirty as it's really rainy in the area at the moment hahaha) However, I couldn't see the link because of a technical issue : when trying to access your link, I click, then enter my login / password information, and end up on a blank empty page with address https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/dap/authenticate.php To whom and where should I address this ? I tested many browser : Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and it all does the same It did the same thing on both my laptop, and my smartphone

Hello, I opened a new thread as I didn't see much of that subject with the search features, but due to my parents in law behind around these last couple of days, we had dinner at the table and during Loki waking time Usually when we only 2 at home, we avoid the subject of demanding during meals as we're eating during his naps. And the routine was kinda working : in the morning he sleeps of lot because of the weather I guess, and for dinner we have a big walk at the end of his awake session, and he sleeps one hour or so, and we can eat fine While my in laws were there it was more complicated, because dinner preparation took more time, and the routine and schedule were impacted 🙂 mister Loki loved them more than us, and just wanted to stick around with them Anyway, while they were here, we relied a lot on long lasting chews, and during the demanding times with paws on knees, we ordered "get down / paws on floor", and praised Now that they're gone, we actually want to train that a little, because we will receive people during summer, and we don't want to be able to have dinner only if Loki is napping So we implemented this : - at first, when he demanded with paws on knees, or even paws on table, we still went on with "go down + paws on floor" and praises - we added a treat to the "go down + paws on floor" - then we tried to anticipate, and when he wanders around the table, and is about to jump, we asked for "lie down", and treat. - then more or less regurlarly, if he stays lied down, we praise and treat My questions are : - is this implementation ok for avoiding the demanding behavior of jumping ? we're not against him being around, but just against him bothering or jumping on us / people - as we are eating, we treat from the table. Obviously, we can't just get up, go away from the table, and treat him each time he has his paws up. Does this encourage demanding ? Still, we are careful to reward the "good behavior" (being lied down next to us, or putting back his paws on the floor) - can you please advise an implementation for this if what we do is not a good implementation at all - I saw that "go on your mat" is a thing in this case, but the mat is a bit far from the table, so it's also complicated to get up, do "go on mat" and get back to eat Thanks in advance for your help

So cute ! Congrats and have a long loving time with her

Hello, I did use the "search" feature of the forum before opening another thread related to dominance (yes I'm a model student hahaha) As a force-free / positive reinforcement trainer, I'm sure you're not at all into dominance-related training and stuff like that, but I have some general question about some things that may rely on dominance, and its importance : - it is said, that we should travel doors first, to show we're the leader, we're in charge. However, Loki always goes first, because we train SIT + STAY + GO to learn him impulse control in front of doors. Is this thing "we humans have to go first through the door" is a real thing, and relevant ? Should we change, go first, and invite to follow us, or we're just fine ? - about play, it's also said that "WE should initiate the play", again, just to show who's in charge. Given I've learned that inviting us to play, or proposing us a toy is a mark of trust and affection, I have never refused and rejected a play that Loki initiated. Should I ? - exact same for the end of play : it's said, "WE should end the play session", but in reality comes a point where he starts to get tired to go fetch, and it is the sign of the end. And we just happy playing while he's ok with it. I end the obedience training though, as I take a specific amount of treats for a given training session, and end it when the treat supply is depleted I'll be glad to hear your explanations, or perhaps debunking of those subjects. I must confess I do not care much about those things, but perhaps I should otherwise I'll pay for it later... Thank you Kind regards EDIT : my bad for the "start of play" question, your previous message give some explanation about it

Hi I've been there not long ago If I had to re do it, my first concern would be impulse control, as it's a matter of security - fluent response to his name - response to smacking sound and look at me - drop it - leave it - sit - stay - come when called This seems to be very basic, but what you have the impression that going well at home will find a deaf ear when outside, or playing, or following critters... The other thing would be "life training" - crate and pen if you have - car !! This one should not be underestimated - handling and manipulation : touching collar, paws, putting harness and leash Because you just don't want every day basic doing becoming a fight every time Life saving tips : - forcing naps is life saving and life changing, as a cranky, bitey, not wanted to do anything puppy is likely tired but don't want to miss out - do not be greedy and cheap on the chews : chews are mental stimulation, and also calming. The right chew at the right time on a devil possessed puppy may transform him into an angel it seems a lot for just a start, but hope it'll help please post in the picture post when you have him 😉

(btw, posting in this thread, that I started 19th of May, just made me realized it has just been one month ++, and so much have been going on... from worst of puppy blues, to first benefits of training, to setbacks and difficult experience like the electric shock, and some moments of true blessing like the first big recalls untied, or the first "drop it" on my clothes when excited, to me being alone with him wondering if I will meltdown...) It is my most intense life experience I have to admit, and the more it goes, the better it gets And what has been accomplished in just a month, (which seemd waayyyyyyyyy longer hahahah), on both me and Loki, is just a tiny glimpse of our lives together and future looks bright... I guess it's sharing day today hahaha

As today is celebration day, some more updates on the progress that are causes for joy - his wait is getting better and better, in duration, distance, and environment (we're outside where things are going + muffin game is likely his favorite...) - recalls, and specially recalls when free... that gives us even more trust to let him loose to enjoy I swear it's not bragging, but just a sharing of joy :D :D

Rejoice people ! Today is a day of joy and celebration ! After days, and numerous walks, of pieces of treats on stairs steps, and jackpot downstairs, mister Loki did respond to "come" when I was downstairs and join me there without any treats on the steps ! He got a maxi jackpot once downstairs ! I guess the confidence built up, and he also managed to "perform the mechanics" HARD WORK AND PATIENCE WORK PEOPLE !!!! Another cause of celebration for today (with the electric fence thing) ! Thanks to you both Jennifer and Adrienne for the help and the guidance on this matter, which is now almost solved (I will still go on jackpoting the coming downstairs for a while just to be sure)

Thank you so much for your input and your precisions Today is also a big step toward, and what I feel like a big win for us I must confess, I backed off a bit on the counter conditioning part, as I felt it to be too much energy, focus, and I thought he transformed the "good time" of the walk into some goal-oriented training, and we both enjoying that a little less than just playing and fooling around together I'm glad the way I tried it actually made some sense, because to me it was really more enjoyable. I just stand around, enjoying the area and the sun, watching him having a good time, and it made me in the pretty joyful state of mind. I'm pretty sure he felt it, and that should have helped him enjoying either, perhaps even helped him being less fearful if he was at any point, instead of me being anxious and eager to counter condition him because there would be a problem if we cannot take the road anymore and blah blah blah <insert any negative thought related to problem solving> So I don't know if it's the "pseudo-training" / desentizing, or his big play session with his buddy lately, but we did soooooo much progress here On the picture is how close we could get to the dreaded road ! At no point did he seem over threshold, or avoiding I didn't get the picture, but I even manage to get on the road with him following in the field, and climax was when he went on the road, looked around, and back off, but with no sense of fear or anxiety (he got a jackpot of treat and praises here) Today is another day of celebrating victory !!! \o/ (And I'm glad I can do this kind of post instead of always questions and worriness :)) I'm so glad because we see more and more of those (some important "drop it" and "leave it", some huge recalls, stairs...) Auto-pat on the back to me and my bud :)

I'm sorry I missed that part. Or it's my golden fish memory This may prove may more efficient that counter counditioning actually : we had a major progress yesterday thanks to that We went to a walk, and we met with one of the neighborhood dogs who are allowed to play with him fully (not just little greeting, but really untied unrestricted play) We untied them and let them go wild in the area. They ran crazy like mad men and Loki seemed to had the time of his life. Even he was running behind with his little paws (the other was older and bigger) At some point, he was panting heavily, not taking water and was just focus on his buddy, and we thought it was time for calling it a day for this time. We tied them again, went separate ways otherwise he would be still be over treshold. On the way back, he crossed the dreaded road as it was nothing scary !!! YAAAAY \o/ Having a good time with a buddy seems to be like the best counter conditioning method ever for him. I'll definitely make other buddies contribute :D Also, I tried more desentization that counter conditioning as I felt it way easier for me. I seem to struggle a bit about the "book method" of counter conditioning as it seems important to time the trigger, not get pass the point he would get over threshold (which can be very subtle)... We just were in the field where there is the cow pen. We came for the opposite side, far away. And I just came closer, stopped, let him come to me, sniffing, having a good time untied, some recalls with treats, then I went a little bit closer and repeat the exact same At some point, we came to a farmer harvesting cherries, came next to him, did some talking... And I called it a day, not be sure not to had something bad in the experience I find it way easier for me this way, and less energy consuming. Is it efficient though ? I'm not sure he really acknowledge the trigger but to me it's a form of desentization. For now, the trigger is very far, at some point, it will get closer and closer, and he won't be able to not see it And if he's able just to live his life close the trigger, then it's won I'm glad today as I feel like there were some good progress. I don't think the end of this tunnel is anywhere near, but we're getting there

now I put treat on steps It's getting better, he seems to just need on the first or second step to "ignite" him :D He's way more confident to go the whole way down once the first difficult ones are done I have good hope with some more repititions his confidence will build, and he'll be back being able to go down on his own (I will then have to proof downstairs, but each time its problem :D :D)

just throwing a little idea here instead of a trauma : it seems to be unsure how to proceed anymore when he was younger, one paw forward would put him in the middle of the step below but now that he's grown, he's a bit longer, and a full paw forward may bring him two steps down, and he's really unsure about that I thought about that when I noticed him going down a little on the side rather than full front do this makes any sense ?

We might actually go for the rampe option I have a 4 seat sports car, and trunk capacity is something you have to sacrifice for sports ahaha Having a flat ramp will be more practical if we have luggage in the trunk, or groceries I guess for the actual stair training, we can do during walks : 2-4 per day depending on the heat, and I'm sure at the point, he'd get the grasp of it I think it's just more practical to practice something fully in one session then get onto something else To me, we'd get better and quicker results, if we could trained that as any behavior modification, just not a one time thing separated by hours lol I'm a dev, I'm ok with some maths and nerdiness :D :D

Hi I moved it the subject on the new post for clarity, instead of discussing electric fence consequences on the "one member of the couple thread", please let me know if you prefer I do not multiply threads, I put a link on the post though to be sure ppl coming here would get the beginnning of the discussion https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/forum/topic/791-one-member-of-the-couple/?tab=comments#comment-3697 That being said little update of this matter, which is the biggest trouble for us now : - yesterday night with my gf, i think she tried to go by the infamous road, which were difficult, until he spotted another dog, then he just wanted to play with the dog, and had no trouble getting on the way => can being with buddy friends in this area can help counter conditioning by itself. We have a playdate coming, can we maybe just walk them together through this road to associate is with a nice experience, or he must be fully concentrated on the trigger, and see the trigger, then treat, and repeat ? or just having a nice time in the spot he dread can help ? - I took another road (actually reversed the side of our usual departure). we ended up in the field of my last picture, but we took the road from the other side to really come from a new environment (we never took this road before, as it goes quite far and he was a bit young earlier). He did go in the field, may have spotted the cow, didn't flee per say, so I wasn't sure I should counter conditioning because I was not sure there was an actual trigger... but at some point he took the road, but on the side opposite to the cow pen... Did I miss something and created a sensitization ? recognizing the threshold levels is not as easy, as the manifestation may differ from time to time. He didn't flee with ears down, but walking fast paced in the side opposite to the side... The good thing is also get to greet a new buddy, which could have help the experience - this is a known problem in the area : I got to another dog owner on the way, and she told me to be careful about the electric fences, so I told her the story, and she said she had the exact same issue... her pup took a shock also, and does not want to take the way anymore (it's not the same way as Loki) That reassured me quite a bit, my pup is normal :D :D - for my last counter conditioning work, I have spotted some errors : I may have just treat without timing the actual trigger, as I wasn't sure if he was looking at the cow, the fence, the road... I may just have ended "treating continuously" + advance, which is mentioned that shouldn't be done in the counter conditioning article - besides, as it was liver paste, it obviously saw the bottle in my hand, he may have been more concentrated on the bottle and on the treat, rather than on the actual trigger... but I tried to time when he looked away in the direction of the field - the article says to only use a specific high value treats for counter conditioning a specific issue, but I did it with the liver paste, which is the known highest value we have... btw I'm not sure you can be sure of high value before having actually tested it for something else, isnt it ? Are those bad errors ? or little errors ? what are the risks of backfiring ? Should I take a step back from the beginning and fine tuning or I can correct as it goes ? Kind regards

Every day is an adventure to dogs You're right it is. And they make us one for us as well. While I sometimes get frustrated Yeah, frustration can hit hard sometimes. The harder is that it's like hidden from the information out there. It's full of article with beautiful puppy pics and how to do this and that, but not much of "real life" Our first big crisis at home was when we realized summer will arrive and will be likely stuck at home. Before having the pup we said "that's ok, we're in a dog friendly area / country, it won't be any issue to find some place to go" That's was before we knew and realized that the morning he naps a loooooot... Or that he cannot walk a whole day to visit a city My gf was feeling really depressed because she's the kind who cannot stay in place, and I felt very guilty because I'm the one who had dogs when younger and wanted one. She is still wonderful with him and consider him part of us now. But you said it, we become resilient, and manage everyday crisis when it comes... For this crisis, we accelerated the pension and dog care research and we booked us already some weekends during the summer, and the crisis has been solved To cope with and fight the frustration, I care less and less about what is right or not. Don't get me wrong, I still want to do the right thing to give Loki the best life with us, but it cannot be done at the price of our own well being, because if we're unhappy and sad with how things are, we won't be able to make him happy. It was the philosophical moment of the dayb😂😂

Done Loki going to his first sleepover in two weeks, while my in-laws will be here What brings me a little confidence is he will be with his play date buddy. I guess it will help him to cope with our absence I really also had a good feeling with the pension and the manager We'll see ! Crossing fingers ! (But at least I will wake after 6:00 for the first time since end of April 😂😂)