Teaching the pack about Music

[bertnspike]

My pack: Dugie, 11, (m) a shy blue border collie w/permanent ligament damage in both hind legs is a wuss and a real loverboy. Solo, 12, (f) a friendly blue heeler from Australian Cattle Dog Rescue in excellent shape and a pushy bully who can't hold her licker. Tiger, 4, (m) a stand-offish blonde shih tzu rescued from a puppy mill who was my husband's darling and doesn't like anyone else to touch him. Tico, 3, (m) a goofy red chihuahua rescued from the flea market who has NO manners and is absolutely certain that everyone on the planet was put here to love him.

Music is the motor home. Yesterday the UPS man delivered a telescoping ramp. Today we used it for the first time and nobody fell off, nobody got scared, and everybody had a good time (except Tiger, who never has a good time) and everybody got a Greenie for the efforts. Twice up and twice down. Tomorrow we'll do it again and start learning about Gentle Leader headcollars, which should be entertaining. I may change Tiger's name to Eeyore.

After we've got the headcollars down we'll drag out the old portable exercise fencing and put it around the side of Music and spend a couple of weeks learning to sit in the pen with Mom and to go out on the leash to do our business and learn about new boundaries. They're gonna love all the attention and we'll all get used to Music together. Maybe I'll get Tico to learn SOMETHING besides being an adorable brat.

Wish me luck!

[longdog2]

Wow, what a plan. You are one prepared lady. What's a Greenie?

[bertnspike]

Wow, what a plan. You are one prepared lady. What's a Greenie?

Nah, not so prepared. Just lazy & trying to keep it simple. One thing a day, short lessons, and lots of praise and treats, and plenty of time hanging out with Mom while she putters around in Music.

A Greenie is a doggie treat that is an ugly shade of green, is shaped like a toothbrush, and smells like a multivitamin. My dogs will do ANYTHING for a Greenie.

[sharon]

I'll trade you the adorable brat for a Chewmonster (chi that thinks shes a rottie with a bad attitude) and throw in a large bag of greenies to sweeten the pot.

[BirdbyBird]

Yes...the fun of trying to train multiple dogs all at the same time A verbal correction for one is a "downer" for another But they are all worth it.

And don't believe Sharon...that Grrrrr Monster isn't going anywhere without her!

[mitch5252]

I'll trade you the adorable brat for a Chewmonster (chi that thinks shes a rottie with a bad attitude) and throw in a large bag of greenies to sweeten the pot.

..


I'll one-up Sharon - my Beast PLUS twice her weight in greenies. No trade necessary. (Believe me - THAT'S a deal - she's quite the little porker.)

(PS: a SHY border collie???? They exist?)

..

[Bethers]

Don't believe Sharon OR Mitch - neither would do those trades or giveaways. Peaches likes her greenies, but not as much as some other treats.

I think you have the hardest part over - the ramp. If they are ok with that, the rest should fall right into place. (Yeah, I'm talking about dogs - when does anything fall right into place?) But you have a plan, and I believe they'll love being in Music, because YOU'LL be in Music. Right now Peaches and I are sleeping in my g/f's house. I don't think either of us feel quite at home. When we go for walks and come back, Peaches always goes straight to the door of the motorhome. But there are reasons for this - and we'll both be just fine. And, i must admit, the bed I'm sleeping in is wonderful.

[bertnspike]

I'll trade you the adorable brat for a Chewmonster (chi that thinks shes a rottie with a bad attitude) and throw in a large bag of greenies to sweeten the pot.

After my adorable brat pees on everything you own you'll want your chewmonster back!

[bertnspike]

I'll trade you the adorable brat for a Chewmonster (chi that thinks shes a rottie with a bad attitude) and throw in a large bag of greenies to sweeten the pot.

..


I'll one-up Sharon - my Beast PLUS twice her weight in greenies. No trade necessary. (Believe me - THAT'S a deal - she's quite the little porker.)

(PS: a SHY border collie???? They exist?)

..

LOL!!! Yes, a shy BC. He was abused as a pup. My whole pack is made up of rescues and I DON'T need any more! I've tried desperately to reduce this pack, but have not found suitable homes for any of them. I promised each of them that they had forever homes when they came to live here, and that's what they've got. I'll deal with it somehow.

[sharon]

I'll trade you the adorable brat for a Chewmonster (chi that thinks shes a rottie with a bad attitude) and throw in a large bag of greenies to sweeten the pot.

After my adorable brat pees on everything you own you'll want your chewmonster back!

Hmmmm. Well then. Have to admit, Chewy is extremely well house broken, which is more than I can say for the BF's 2 Maltese. Another reason I took up the carpet and put solid flooring down. Chewy is going to a special socialization class March 4-5th. I keep hoping and trying...sigh...not so's you'd notice, but she really is a little better than she used to be.
Unfortunately she's good as gold in class, actually the best dog there, but away from class..oh my..all bets are off.

[longdog2]

Hmmm, could that possibly mean Chewy's housemate causes the problem? Just saying.

[Liz]

Maybe you can all help me train Simba. We're having major separation anxiety related problems. And today we can add chewing...although that's more training me to put everything out of reach. He was just chewing his toys....good puppy, but last night he chewed Bandit's harness to pieces and the charging cord to my MiFi that were on the couch. I am going to have to crate him at night, but the last time I tried that none of us got any sleep....and probably not the neighbors either.

[WickedLady]

I am sooo thankful for Monty and Boomer.

[sharon]

Hmmm, could that possibly mean Chewy's housemate causes the problem? Just saying.

Moi??? How could you even think that, much less print it!

[sharon]

Maybe you can all help me train Simba. We're having major separation anxiety related problems. And today we can add chewing...although that's more training me to put everything out of reach. He was just chewing his toys....good puppy, but last night he chewed Bandit's harness to pieces and the charging cord to my MiFi that were on the couch. I am going to have to crate him at night, but the last time I tried that none of us got any sleep....and probably not the neighbors either.

Takes about a week to crate train. Start feeding him in the crate with the door open and then add time with the door shut with a treat like a chewy or greenie, maybe an hour at a time for a while. Just so he gets the idea that the crate is a good place to be.