Today was a good day for Chopper. Greg got home first and took him outside for a bit. Chopper was in a good mood, listening well, frolicking. Excited about Greg's dinner LOL. Now, we don't feed our dogs food from the table, never have, never will... but the point is Chopper was engaging with his environment instead of shutting down to it. Nevermind the fact that Greg's dinner was irresistible. An aside: I bought a cookbook on "Hot Dishes" when I was in Minneapolis a few months back. Hot Dishes are basically casseroles, and a popular meal there. They are often put together with easy ingredients, like canned soup. This dish had: ground beef, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and tater tots on top, just to name a few ingredients. See, irresistible! Ok, aside over.
When I got home I spent some time with the dogs outside and witnessed full on dog joy with Chopper. He must've run a dozen laps around my yard full force, coming right by Kolohe and I on each round. I clicked for him, but he never stopped for a treat, too busy being in the moment. I was just beaming, but not nearly as brightly as him. He wasn't full open mouth smiling, but his whole face was definitely in bliss mode.
In the house I did some clicker training. Choppers favorite treat seems to change periodically. Now he loves these organic dog biscuits that we already had lying around. I've been sticking with the same ole, "Come here Chopper" and having him touch my right hand with his nose. Click, treat, move a little bit, then repeat. I kept close to him today, didn't try to push him at all. After the full on dog joy in the back yard I just wanted to extend his good mood and keep things easy. Afterward I gave him some space, left him to his SpongeBob blanket, which is his safe place. I may try some massage tonight, and see if he is receptive to that.
This is great to hear Heather!
ReplyDeleteAre you being consistent in what you are training Chopper to do? Are you training him to come when called, or to touch your hand, or...??? If he's doing whatever it is consistently now then it may be time to add the voice command (sounds like you already did) and phase out food rewards for praise. How does he react to verbal praise from you guys?
I am being consistent. When he comes up to us without being called and sticks around he gets chin or ear scratches. When we call him he has to touch my hand with his nose--that's really for me, something deliberate so I know he's not just walking by--which gets a click and treat. Verbal praise seems to be neutral at this time. We are giving it, being soothing, etc. If I get too excited it freaks him out LOL. It can be hard to hold back sometimes!
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