I'm rude

Not supporting abusive dog training techniques and being willing to voice my opinion on it is apparently rude. If that is so then I wear the title proudly. On a brighter note we did some recall work out in the yard today and Bandit was amazing. Yah for positivity!

Just when you get yourself in a routine...

I was woken up yesterday morning to my boyfriend freaking out. He had gone pee and had left the cat's laser pointer on the couch. He came out to my son with the laser pointer in his mouth and only one of the batteries to be found.

Ten hours later Briggs was released from the hospital. He had to have surgery to remove two batteries. I'm starting to feel ill from being pregnant, threw out my back holding Briggs so much yesterday in my arms instead of a carrier and things just are not the most ideal over here right now. Needless to say no training happened yesterday. None happened today either. I'm laying on the couch in agony with a really mellow, low key kid who just wants to cuddle.

Lucky for me my dog isn't high needs. He's been at my feet and content to just be let out in the yard to pee. The cat has been way less annoying today too. Tyler isn't home till nearly ten tonight. I am hoping to even just get Bandit out for ten minutes for some leash work so we do not lose the progress we made the other day. He walked on the side of a high way (he's a bit spooked by large trucks usually) with total calmness and politeness. He even passed a fence charging dog with no problem.

So even though life has handed me a bit of hell the last few days at least I can say my dog has not added to any of that stress.

No excuses

Yesterday I took Bandit out in the slushy weather. It had snowed a lot, then started to rain/snowy rain on us. It was miserable but fun at the same time. Super wet. We both got into the van drenched. I think took him to Petsmart for a bone. His off leash manners have improved so much.

I then took him for just a nice romp today at a campsite. He went for a frolic while Briggs ran around screaming with excitement. He's been 1000% better over the last few weeks. I'm so impressed how quick his behaviour is changing. Woohoo for positive reinforcement training!

He is also learning to target with his nose.

A bit off topic but...

My family just got a bit bigger. I'm pregnant. Time to really buckle down and get my dog less reactive and manageable as I wouldn't be able to exercise him during the day with a toddler and a newborn if he isn't. Talk about a kick in the ass if I ever feel like slacking!

Bandit and I had the most pleasant walk we've ever had today.

I remembered treats but didn't use them as much as I was before. I would mix up the reward between allowing him to sniff + treats so he wasn't as tempted to hit the end of the leash. I only had to do the stop, turn around twice on a half an hour walk. Talk about successful! Briggs was on my back, Bandit was by my side and I was in utter bliss strolling with the two of them along the trail.

I also bought a fanny pack afterwards so I have a separate, easy to access bag for my treats. It's ugly but functional.

Woops! I forgot the treats

I forgot the clicker ant treats on our walk tonight so I just did the "be a tree" method and when he got really onto a scent I turned around and walked the other way and he was soooo good! I think I actually prefer that method as he isn't as overstimulated and I don't need to go for short walks. I can go for long ones.

Then he went for an offlead frolic in the park by where we are visiting. Jos, my family friend who walked Bandit yesterday, said the difference is just amazing. Bandit was great for him yesterday. The training is working.

Go Bandit go!

Life happens and training looks to be off for the next day or two

My son had to go to the hospital yesterday. He had a fever for quite some time and was screaming bloody murder. He was very dehydrated. He is okay now but feeling a bit under the weather. We are far from home and look like we may be stuck here longer as we can't drive home in crappy conditions with a sick child. Well I could but it doesn't sound ideal. I also don't want to have him that far away from a hospital if a fever spikes again.

Lucky for Bandit he got to go out for a walk regardless yesterday. A family friend called dibs on walking him last night before Briggs became ill. Lucky him! It's raining here in Vancouver right now so I doubt I will be the one walking Bandit with my sick son today. Oh well. Life happens and some times things do come before training. I think my excuse is pretty valid.

Bandit seems pretty content cuddled up to my toddler on the couch. So I don't feel so bad. He seems to understand Briggs is sick. I'm so grateful for how calm my dog is inside. No destruction over two days  indoors.

So we are all sitting up on the couch watching the Westminister dog show. Currently watching the best of the sporting group. Both Bandit and Briggs seem pretty into it. Maybe I'm raising the next great dog man? I can hope!

BANDIT CALLED OFF ANOTHER DOG TODAY

Off leash and caught of guard. He surprised be by at first charging towards the other dog with excitement, then a tiny little kissy noise from me to try and get his attention... and it worked! Such a surprise but so thrilling. I can't even believe he made such a wonderful accomplishment today.

Well, I didn't find the motivated

I did not feel motivated to do it but I can proudly say my commitment to Bandit and myself percerveared. I took him out for a not so long walk. My treats weren't a high enough value towards the end and he was more interested in sniffing. Which was fine. We played chase in the yard instead as that was my fault and not his.

I'm pleased with myself for pushing through my lack of desire and just doing it. I really enjoyed myself once we were out training.

I feel like a slacker today

I have no motivation to train or get out of my PJs. Vacation is so relaxing. My sister watched my son while I slept in today. I have to find some motivation though as the dog deserves my consistency.

Arrived in the Greater Vancouver Area with no troubles.

The drive down from Vancouver went so well. Bandit was awesome at a truck stop for a tinkle. No pulling even in such a stimulating environment. Briggs was just as wonderful. He only had one bottle and didn't even make a peep for the five hours in the car. Wide awake the whole time too. It went so smooth.

Teaching targeting is harder than I thought it would be. We hit a bit of a road block today. I was going to introduce targeting and Bandit didn't really get it. Could've just been what I was using or working in too small/cluttered of a space. I think I will work with something larger and a bit raised off the ground to set him up better tomorrow. The object I chose was both nearly see through and flat. He didn't seem to grasp what I wanted him to do too well. Chose to just walk away and re-do tomorrow. He really tried and that's all that matters though. I like the bit of a challenge.

I also got my 11 year old sister really excited about clicker training. She watched a video with me and thought it made so much more sense. She then got to work Bandit a bit. He now knows the verbal cue for down not only from me but he will also do it for my sister. Success!

And here are some photos of the pooch and I all settled in ready for bed. Briggs is cuddly his grandma so it's just Bandit and I in bed tonight. Seems a bit lonely. I'm used to a baby, a cat, a boyfriend and a dog.

and goodnight folks.

Oh the things we learn

Bandit has never known the verbal cue to down. Only the hand signal. I watched a kikopup video that really helped with teaching him a verbal cue from a hand signal. Instead of saying the verbal cue first then doing the hand signal I was doing the reverse. Which makes no sense if you want your dog to learn to take the verbal cue. I'm so proud of him. It may not seem like much to other people but I am so excited about all the little steps. Seeing him want to work with me brings such joy to my life.

Bandit is really teaching me how to communicate in a much more positive light and it's effecting all aspects of my life. I am becoming a better mother due to becoming a better dog owner. My communication is not only opening up with my dog but it's opening up with all the people. I am being present, attentive and fun and it's really paying off in how my relationship with my son is. I've always been a bit of a crunchy mom but this path I'm on in life is not just about having a better behaved dog. It's about learning to understand others.

Thank-you to my two favourite boys Briggs and Bandit for being the inspiration to open my mind and heart.

I posted this on facebook but I want to post it here as well.

I do not want a submissive child, spouse, friend, or pet. I want happy, content and willing people and animals in my life who listen to a request because they want to. Not because they have to. Through parenting my son and training my dog I have come to realize that I do not need to dominate, be alpha or the boss. I need to teach them to be able to communicate in appropriate ways through patience, understanding and love. Just because I feed them, house them and take care of them does not make them loyal, a listener or have respect for me. It's through kindness, love, and a bit of creativity on overcoming their less than ideal behaviors that strengthens their bond with me. So here is to loving guidance and being able to not only be a teacher in my relationships with my family, friends and pets, but also the student. Each day they teach me to be a bit more patient, a bit more understanding and a lot more loving. ♥

Today we made a step forward

Bandit will work for kibble! He's never worked for kibble before. I think he's just stoked on clicker training. It's only in the house. He needs higher value treats outside. The fact that he will even train with kibble inside though is steps ahead of where we have been his whole life.

Go Bandit! We are working on down with just a verbal cue, eye contact and loose lead walking. He's really amazing me with how smart he is. I used to joke around I had the world's dumbest Border Collie. Clearly I just wasn't dedicated enough to showcase his brains.

Go Bandit! I'm proud of you.

Quick brag

Bandit can walk on a loose leash for twice as long as he could yesterday with half the treats. His focus already is so much higher than it used to be. He hasn't put tension on the leash in the last three days. So proud. So long as he gets the basic concept he is such a willing partner. I love this dog and his devotion to pleasing.

Bandit is a great dog.

Back to Vancouver

My mother has offered to come pick Briggs, Bandit and I up and take us back to Vancouver for a week. I'm excited and a little nervous. Excited because I will get to see family and take Bandit to the beach. One of our favorite places to go. I'm nervous because managing a dog and a grumpy toddler solo is going to be an interesting experience. I've done it before but I am putting so much effort into Bandit's training right now I really do not want it to go to pieces when he go on a mini vacation. I could leave him behind with my boyfriend but then I know the work I've done over these last days will be pointless. I will be lucky if he lets him out to pee let alone walks him.

I'm having a hard time deciding what baby carrier will be the most travel friendly. I'm also trying to decide what dog gear to bring. Ah! Choices. I have two days to figure it out.

How do people do it with more than one dog?

I know so many people who keep up with what seems like an army of high drive dogs. I am exhausted today and have no desire to train. I will have to find it as my dog deserves dedication. Boy do I not want to though.

Bandit is really enjoying loose lead walking. He has improved more than I could have imagined. Click, treat and he is suddenly a super store. Why didn't I do this earlier?

Anyways, it's nap time for me. Hopefully I will find the energy after as I can see him looking at me for a fun training session.

Kelowna: home to the world's worst dog trainer.

I am absolutely horrified to discover a TV personality who is downright abusive lives in the same town as I do. The very idea that this man trains on the same soil as I take my dog to go play really disturbs me. How he "educates" people on how to be a pack leader yet he is nothing more than a domineering bully. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who I am talking about.


 Brad Pattison.


So if treats and positive reinforcement don't work and bullying does why is it my dog after ONE training session of loose lead walking with the clicker already showing vast improvement compared to the dogs who are being handled roughly? Could it be because he is a willing participant? By his own free will he made the choice to work with me and understands the criteria based on something as simple as marking desirable behaviour?

I am not an experienced dog trainer. I am just a young mom with a dog trying to figure this out... but it seems to be working.

I was harassed via facebook today for even mentioning to a new dog owner a different way to train. I was not rude but six women were trying to shove it down my throat you can't be positive all the time. It doesn't work. From my understanding if the dog is that distracted you either are working a dog beyond it's threshold or are not using something reinforcing enough.

*sigh*

Just haven't a different opinion and linking people to training tutorials got me told I was wrong. I am already seeing results though after two days. I have faith.

Things a family companion NEEDS to know.

I am blessed to share my life with my dear son, a very lively cat and a kind, yet somewhat reactive Border Collie. I am very passionate about dog ownership and parenting. I am hoping to just document my journey to create a less reactive dog through clicker training.

There seems to be three big reasons people give away dogs when they have children. Pulling on the leash on a walk, resource guarding and going pee or poo in the house. My dog does not know leave it, pulls on a leash on a walk and occasionally will sneak off into the other room and do his business. I hear everyone on their complaints. I'm hoping through training, consistency, patience and some yummy treats I can shape my dogs behaviour to be more ideal for the new family life we live.

My dog NEEDS to know those three simple things. Every dog does but with arms full on a walk or chasing a toddler all day only to find your dog has left you a little "surprise" in the other room... well it gets old fast.