Rory VS Sheep Part 2!

Rory had another herding lesson, finally, and things went well. Actually, the whole lesson was exactly like his first lesson. He has a lesson scheduled for every Thursday now, and hopefully we won't be rained out for tomorrow's lesson. 

Not surprisingly, Rory isn't a very efficient sheep herder. He purposely separates the sheep so he can chase them around. Our instructor doesn't seem too concerned, he only tried it twice so maybe he's getting the hint. Tomorrow is his last lesson with his trainer and him out with the sheep. Next time I will be out there guiding him along and teaching him his cues. 

One thing Rory has been good about lately is not pulling me! At his herding lesson he cannot pull me down to the sheep, so I've been working with him at home on loose leash walking, walking around the block, and having him lay down randomly. (I'm having him lay down in weird situations so he will pay more attention to me around sheep.) I have a feeling he might actually turn out to be a good sheep dog! :)

Rory's Evaluation

Rory met his new trainer last Thursday. Not a lot happened, we mainly talked, then she brought in a dog to see his reaction.

I did learn that Rory is not aggressive, he just has no clue how to behave around dogs. He wants to play but is unsure so he goes wild. She said it's probably good I didn't let him greet my other dog off leash because there probably would have been a fight. He would have been too rough and wanting to play, and my other dog would have freaked, and Rory wouldn't understand that she wants him to stop.

For those of you interested in the first half of Rory's new training 'plan', here it is!

First, I need to make a vet appointment for Rory. I'm highly considering giving him Prozac, so I'd like to talk with his vet.

It takes a couple weeks for the full effect of the medication. In the mean time, I will be teaching him to be calm in a crate that will be put in the living room.

Then we will head back to his trainer for a lesson.

                                            And, I might start a nosework class with him!

Christmas in January!

I obviously have procrastination issues. I'm only now showing you pictures from Rory's Christmas. :p

Rory got a bunch of toys, and he loves them all!

Here's a video of the chaotic morning.

http://youtu.be/2xLL8gFsKsY

Good Job Rory!

Rory behaved less like a psychotic dog today! Yay!

I did a bunch of training sessions through out where I would treat him when he was calm. This advice was given to me from a great Faceboom group called 'Beyond Cesar Millian'. I'd suggest to anyone interested in positive dog training to check it out. :)

Rory ran off leash in the fenced in yard
for a good amount of time, and I then brought him for a two and a half mile walk.

Later in the yard, I tripped over nothing because I'm a clutz, and he began to play tug-o- war with my shoe. I 'grounded the leash' and he stopped bitting at my shoe.

Rory's favorite part of the day was probably playing with his cong ball, trying to lick out all of the delicious treats. He seriously loves that cong ball!!!

Rory only nipping me once is progress... And on the very first day is great! I know there are going to still be more ups and downs, but I'm ready for it. All I truly needed to know was why he was nipping me, and how to stop it.

A few other owners I've chatted with also had this problem. It was very stressful and emotional for them, but overtime by keeping positive and being consistent, their dogs stopped nipping. I can't even begin to explain how relieved I was to hear that I'm not the only one with a crazy, nippy dog!

(The picture is of Rory watching the cows we passed on our walk)