The Dog Behaviourist #3

We're on the right track: Orlando is improving. His trainer has spent a few hours with us and he was pleased to see that he goes less for rocks, socializes and plays with other dogs and -in general- he behaves much better. His blood exams are fine and the hypothesis of a compulsive behavior is less strong than it was anticipated. A compulsive dog does not improve and is more difficult to distract. So, things are doing well but there are still things he has to learn so... more work for us. It's ok though, I love working and playing with him. We tire him out a lot and apparently it works as he sleeps through the night without jumping on the bed. 

It goes without saying that I work more at home which is a real blessing as I spend more time with him and consequently I can train him and go out for long walks. My mum is also doing a great job with Orlando. G. plays a big role too but he is not a work-at-home dad so long walks with both parents are scheduled in weekends only.

To be continued...

The dog behaviourist #2

B. arrives at 2:30. Orlando barks and is allowed to go out to see who's coming. B. starts his observation right away and asks questions while we are outside. We stay inside for about 1 hour and a half. He asks lots of questions and observes Orlando and how we relate to him. 

He explains that eating non-food can be:

a) a compulsive behavior due to mistakes while he was learning (e.g. when he ate rocks the previous "mom" gave him something to distract him and he began to associate rocks with treats)

b) a genetic compulsive disorder (what about his siblings? As far we can tell, they do the same but we don't know to what extent so it might be genetic)

c) pica caused by physiologic problems (e.g. gastritis)

d) a non-compulsive behavior.

What can we do?

First, go to the vet to check that his digestive system is ok. Second, training him with sit-stay close to areas where there's non-food he usually tries to eat. The training with sit-stay is going fine AND, more importantly, he doesn't eat weird things if there's food. This is good because tough compulsive disorders don't go away if there's a distraction. Third, use a specific halter. 

We also have to work on other aspects and we've already started. He's learned to socialize with other dogs. At the beginning he is scared, but then he is ok. We changed our habit: instead of going towards quite areas with few dogs and few people, we now go to the main square. B. told to do that asap and things have improved a lot in just 2 days. He has to be more independent which is not easy for him as he is ALWAYS with someone. Furthermore, when we're on the couch I don't do anything to prevent him from sleeping ... basically on my belly and this is not good, according B. and to G. to be candid. I am aware I shouldn't do it and I'm working on that ;-) B. explained what to do and I'll try. Promise! 

Anyway, to cut this short B. stayed with us until 6!! We even went out for a walk. He'll come again next Sunday. He is very professional and we really like him. He is also quite well-known here and we've heard positive comments so... we're ready to work with him and with Orlando.

It's like having a second job though as it entails careful observation and training but we do love Orlando so it's not a problem at all. And we're learning a lot so.. it's good! 

Training

G. is training Orlando while I'm trying to get some work done. I'm terribly late, I don't know if I'm going to meet an important deadline but I'll do my best. So now we're training him to sleep in a specific place. It's not where we had in mind as he wants to stay with us. He shouldn't sleep in the bedroom, we're aware of that but we don't have another option. We bought him a dog bed and put it in our bedroom. Yesterday night we tried without the bed and it was a nightmare as he:

a) didn't know the room and got very excited about the new environment

b) he chewed every single thing and didn't sleep

We went downstair, where he usually sleeps, and immediately fell asleep on the floor but G. had to sleep on the couch again. 

He is now with G. in our bedroom and is taking a nap in HIS lovely dog bed. He needs to know the place in advance ... they'll be staying there at least until 7 p.m.

Fingers crossed!

It's very tiring and we look like zombies but if we  fix "the night problem" everything it'll get easier.

Earlier he met my dad and tomorrow he'll meet A. who is thrilled about the baby. Out of interest, no, I'm not back to my workout routine. Neither I have time nor I have energies.

Back to work now.

Autogenic Training

is quite powerful indeed.

Wow, we tried it yesterday and now we have to train for a week and write down physical and emotional sensations. I wasn't aware that it's a scientific method and it's VERY interesting. I'll see what this will bring us ...it's a six week course.

This is how it's meant to be

I'm back to my fitness regime and I feel incredibly well. I don't even put on weight anymore, even when I do Pilates only once a week (instead of 3 times) and change my diet for a couple of days. I guess it's because I am fit and I can miss one or two Pilates lessons now. My body has changed a lot lately. And so has my "mind", my overall attitude towards life. I may be sound boring but I guess I have found, after a whole life without knowing it, what makes me happy and balanced: movement! So, yes, I do like my job, especially now that I'm involved in very interesting projects, but spending hours in front of a computer writing, thinking and writing and thinking it's just not for me anymore. I can do it IF I train regularly. In the following months I have to plan this carefully, otherwise I'll end up doing more Pilates than writing and I simply can't given the amount of work I have to deal with. I'm also glad the weather is lovely again, so that I can go out with big boy.... if he doesn't eat the snow which apparently has become his favorite food. Both yesterday and this morning he threw up because of his favorite food. And he did, guess where? On the carpet! Lucky me, isn't it? 

Perhaps this is how it's meant to be: too fit to get pregnant? I know, this is bullshit but sometimes it crosses my mind. Am I pushing my body too much? 

 I wish you a nice weekend. We don't have plans, other than going for long walks with the snow-eater (this is me, G. looks exhausted. I guess he will sleep through the morning while we will be out) and maybe going to movie theatre. By the way, speaking of movies and books, I'm reading The Dirty Life and it's definitely worth it.