A year ago I thought he'd never be able to sit near her...
Showing posts with label Australian kelpie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australian kelpie. Show all posts
Monday, September 16, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Rory finally met sheep!
I like to expect nothing from my dogs so if they fail, I'm not disappointed, and if they succeed, I'm thrilled.
At Rory's herding lesson today, I expected him to act like a crazed animal. I thought his eyes would be glued to the sheep and he would ignore me. Well luckily, I guessed wrong. :)
Rory did exactly as he was asked to, he would go out around the sheep and didn't bite them. I was very concerned he would try to bite the sheep, but he didn't! Once, one of the sheep left the group and Rory took off chased after him, cornering the sheep by the fence. He was able to get the sheep back to the group without using his mouth. I was so relieved!
It seems like Rory is going to make an excellent herding dog!!
I actually still have some good news! Rory had an unexpected meeting with my other dog, Delilah, again today. I told my mom Rory was outside but she forgot and let Delilah out. The second Delilah saw Rory, she ran to the front door. :[ Rory followed at a distance, and I called him and he came to me! He didn't try to sniff her or anything. He had no reaction that I could notice. He somewhat ignored her. Tomorrow I will continue his training and have him 'watch me' while Delilah is at a distance.
Overall, I'm very pleased with how Rory behaved today. :)
At Rory's herding lesson today, I expected him to act like a crazed animal. I thought his eyes would be glued to the sheep and he would ignore me. Well luckily, I guessed wrong. :)
Rory did exactly as he was asked to, he would go out around the sheep and didn't bite them. I was very concerned he would try to bite the sheep, but he didn't! Once, one of the sheep left the group and Rory took off chased after him, cornering the sheep by the fence. He was able to get the sheep back to the group without using his mouth. I was so relieved!
It seems like Rory is going to make an excellent herding dog!!
I actually still have some good news! Rory had an unexpected meeting with my other dog, Delilah, again today. I told my mom Rory was outside but she forgot and let Delilah out. The second Delilah saw Rory, she ran to the front door. :[ Rory followed at a distance, and I called him and he came to me! He didn't try to sniff her or anything. He had no reaction that I could notice. He somewhat ignored her. Tomorrow I will continue his training and have him 'watch me' while Delilah is at a distance.
Overall, I'm very pleased with how Rory behaved today. :)
Monday, February 25, 2013
Prozac Update
Great news, I have a some what normal dog now! And he cuddles!
Rory's vet agreed with us that Prozac is vital for his training. For a week now, Rory has been getting his pills, and I already notice a difference in his behavior!
Rory will obnoxiously nip and jump on me when he is bored or ready to play. Today, he glanced at me as if he was *thinking* of flinging himself onto me, but instead he snatched his ball. I was amazed!!
He also slept in my bed with me for the first time! Usually he just won't sleep unless I send him to his crate. Last night he was snugging with me, and amazingly he didn't leave the bed!
I'm thrilled to see such an incredible change in only a week! The dosage is low, so he isn't and won't act drugged or sleepy all the time. The full effect will take place in a few more weeks, then we head back to his trainer.
I'm so so happy to have a dog that snuggles! My mom says he is a real dog now that he has calmed down a tad. Having a real dog is nice! :)
(The pictures are of him sleeping on my lap. Never once have I ever dreamed of this happening!!!!!!!!)
Rory's vet agreed with us that Prozac is vital for his training. For a week now, Rory has been getting his pills, and I already notice a difference in his behavior!
Rory will obnoxiously nip and jump on me when he is bored or ready to play. Today, he glanced at me as if he was *thinking* of flinging himself onto me, but instead he snatched his ball. I was amazed!!
He also slept in my bed with me for the first time! Usually he just won't sleep unless I send him to his crate. Last night he was snugging with me, and amazingly he didn't leave the bed!
I'm thrilled to see such an incredible change in only a week! The dosage is low, so he isn't and won't act drugged or sleepy all the time. The full effect will take place in a few more weeks, then we head back to his trainer.
I'm so so happy to have a dog that snuggles! My mom says he is a real dog now that he has calmed down a tad. Having a real dog is nice! :)
(The pictures are of him sleeping on my lap. Never once have I ever dreamed of this happening!!!!!!!!)
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Wordless Wednesday!
He didn't like wearing the hat. :p
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Love at first sight
I knew the instant Rory began to play with his Cagey Cube that it was love at first sight! He hasn't lost interest in it yet! I'm going to start rotating his toys just to be safe.
Sunday and Monday I felt very weak and sleepy. I did walk with Rory on the 3 mile trail, but it was exhausting, and usually it isn't. Today I was full of energy, and of course so was Rory! I worked on a few Control Unleashed exercises with him, that's about it training wise. Once he learns to calm down, I can continue trick training. Obedience just isn't the same as tricks though. :(
There's a possibility we may go on a hike or to a park tomorrow. I'll post an update to Twitter. I'm trying to use it more often. I'm actually not sure how it works exactly, or what I should be tweeting about. Oh well. :p
Rory's Twitter: Twitter.com/Rorythekelpie
Sunday and Monday I felt very weak and sleepy. I did walk with Rory on the 3 mile trail, but it was exhausting, and usually it isn't. Today I was full of energy, and of course so was Rory! I worked on a few Control Unleashed exercises with him, that's about it training wise. Once he learns to calm down, I can continue trick training. Obedience just isn't the same as tricks though. :(
There's a possibility we may go on a hike or to a park tomorrow. I'll post an update to Twitter. I'm trying to use it more often. I'm actually not sure how it works exactly, or what I should be tweeting about. Oh well. :p
Rory's Twitter: Twitter.com/Rorythekelpie
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Changes
There's nothing worse than being annoyed with your own dog.... That's how I've been feeling lately. Rory had been soo nippy these past few weeks. Luckily, I've been given some super advice on how to calm him down and prevent him from nipping.
Basically, I'll be planning out my whole day, adding in extra walks and training sessions. Changes will be made, good changes! I'm going to finally order Controll Unleashed, and contact a dog trainer I discovered after months of searching! I even used my $50 gift card from The Clicker Company, from Rory winning Pet of The Month, to buy 2 treat toy puzzles, a whistle clicker, a target stick, and a box & ball puzzle toy.
Tomorrow, I start my new plan. I have a great feeling about this; I bet Rory will enjoy it too!
Basically, I'll be planning out my whole day, adding in extra walks and training sessions. Changes will be made, good changes! I'm going to finally order Controll Unleashed, and contact a dog trainer I discovered after months of searching! I even used my $50 gift card from The Clicker Company, from Rory winning Pet of The Month, to buy 2 treat toy puzzles, a whistle clicker, a target stick, and a box & ball puzzle toy.
Tomorrow, I start my new plan. I have a great feeling about this; I bet Rory will enjoy it too!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
He's NOT a Dingo!
Rory really surprised me a few days ago! I took him to a coffee shop, and some people asked to pet him. Two older, calm, men pet Rory, and he didn't even try to jump on them, until an exited woman walked over…. I'm thinking of buying a vest that says " In training, please ask to pet" so people just don't walk up to him and try to pet him. Everyone except for that lady asked to pet him.
Yesterday was the SECOND time someone has thought Rory is a 'Dingo'. A man was petting Rory, and asked me what breed he is. I told him he's an Australian Kelpie, and he said 'like a Dingo?"…. I was shocked to hear that! I explained that Australian Kelpies are a herding breed, not Dingos. This is getting crazy...
Last year my dad build a large hog pen next to our pasture, in the forest. We never ended up getting pigs, so I'm going to use it as a training area for Rory! There are trees, stumps, and it's hilly inside the pen, so when I do start agility with him, setting up a course is going to be a challenge. The gate and some of the fencing is falling down, so I've been wrapping a giant leash to a tree and connecting it to his harness so he can run around while I work on the fence. I'm also raking all of the leaves and pine straw out of the pen. I'm thinking of making a little Halloween video of Rory, but I can't think of any real cute ideas….
Yesterday was the SECOND time someone has thought Rory is a 'Dingo'. A man was petting Rory, and asked me what breed he is. I told him he's an Australian Kelpie, and he said 'like a Dingo?"…. I was shocked to hear that! I explained that Australian Kelpies are a herding breed, not Dingos. This is getting crazy...
Last year my dad build a large hog pen next to our pasture, in the forest. We never ended up getting pigs, so I'm going to use it as a training area for Rory! There are trees, stumps, and it's hilly inside the pen, so when I do start agility with him, setting up a course is going to be a challenge. The gate and some of the fencing is falling down, so I've been wrapping a giant leash to a tree and connecting it to his harness so he can run around while I work on the fence. I'm also raking all of the leaves and pine straw out of the pen. I'm thinking of making a little Halloween video of Rory, but I can't think of any real cute ideas….
Sunday, September 30, 2012
There's nothing like walking your dog in the rain. That's what I did today. I brought Rory to a park where we dodged giant puddles and searched for cover from the rain. It was actually fun! He doesn't like the rain, but he also doesn't like doing nothing either. There was an old playground I let him play on. He lead the way up the steps, and he even walked over the shaky bridge! I'm going to bring him to this park again since it's super close, and I'll also bring my camera along so I can make a video of him!
He's doing such a great job!
The picture below is a fail. We were under a gazebo next to the playground. He was soaking wet and wouldn't stay still for a good picture. :p
He's doing such a great job!
The picture below is a fail. We were under a gazebo next to the playground. He was soaking wet and wouldn't stay still for a good picture. :p
Saturday, September 29, 2012
National Dog Week!
There is only 1 more day left of National Dog Week!! I feel like I'm the only person celebrating this with my dog. :p
Before I get to the update, I'd like to say thanks to everyone who has voted for Rory in the Clicker Company Pet Of The Month contest!! I'm most likely going to win, and if I do, I'll be holding a give-away on Rory's Facebook page!! If you haven't already voted for him and you would like to, all you have to do is click on this link, and find the picture of him and press 'Like'. The contest ends in 2 days. :) http://www.facebook.com/THEClickerCompany/app_423981594282440
This evening we took Rory to a nearby hiking trail. The last time I walked with him, he was dragging me down the whole trail. This time he was PERFECT!! My mom wanted a coffee, so we also went to a nearby community that has shops, a dog park, and a coffee shop. Rory stayed somewhat calm when people passed. He didn't jump on anyone! Right before we were about to leave, I spotted a woman walking a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Great Pyrenees. I rushed behind some tables far away from the sidewalk. Rory watched them pass briefly, he didn't bark, growl, or lift his hackles. Yay!!
This has been a great National Dog Week for me. =) Did you do anything special with your dog to celebrate? I didn't do anything too special, I just spent some time with Rory.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Success! Well, kinda.
Rory has done such a great job around people lately that I decided to being him along with us to the Library. I learned a couple things, and I also had some great training sessions with him.
Rory is surprisingly calm around girls, but once he sees a boy, his energy just changed and he goes wild... I'm pretty sure there are 2 reasons for this; reason 1, he played with boys at his old home, and reason 2, boys are crazy.
We walked outside mostly, and I brought him into the library a few times. He was good, but he still tried to jump on people. He didn't because he has the head collar on, but I could tell because of the look in his eyes...
I also played with him on the playground! I recommend to anyone who has an active dog and wants to do something like agility, but their dog is too young to train on a playground! I worked on sit and stay while I climbed the steps, him jumping on the benches, him walking on the playground, and I desensitized him to the spooky swings. :p It tired him out a bit, which is hard to do!
The most important thing that I've learned today is that Rory causes damage.... My mom will always say goodbye to the volunteer and end up talking for a hour... I went in to speed her up, and Rory saw a new girl who was working on her laptop. He tried to jump on her and hit her laptop, pulling out one of the letter keys. I felt awful because I know those are SUPER expensive to repair. I still feel pretty bad about it. My dog is a disaster waiting to happen.... He already has a record for destruction, he tore up his old owner's floor! I'm going to be extra careful next time. A few people already think he's a Dingo thanks to my brothers. Him acting like one doesn't do him any good.
Rory is surprisingly calm around girls, but once he sees a boy, his energy just changed and he goes wild... I'm pretty sure there are 2 reasons for this; reason 1, he played with boys at his old home, and reason 2, boys are crazy.
We walked outside mostly, and I brought him into the library a few times. He was good, but he still tried to jump on people. He didn't because he has the head collar on, but I could tell because of the look in his eyes...
I also played with him on the playground! I recommend to anyone who has an active dog and wants to do something like agility, but their dog is too young to train on a playground! I worked on sit and stay while I climbed the steps, him jumping on the benches, him walking on the playground, and I desensitized him to the spooky swings. :p It tired him out a bit, which is hard to do!
The most important thing that I've learned today is that Rory causes damage.... My mom will always say goodbye to the volunteer and end up talking for a hour... I went in to speed her up, and Rory saw a new girl who was working on her laptop. He tried to jump on her and hit her laptop, pulling out one of the letter keys. I felt awful because I know those are SUPER expensive to repair. I still feel pretty bad about it. My dog is a disaster waiting to happen.... He already has a record for destruction, he tore up his old owner's floor! I'm going to be extra careful next time. A few people already think he's a Dingo thanks to my brothers. Him acting like one doesn't do him any good.
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