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! 

Play biting and more

Orlando is growing up. He sleeps through the night and knows more our habits. He also goes out for walks now but he is still quite scared of cars, other dogs and all the "moves" towards him. I think it's normal though as he's spent 2 weeks and half walking in the house and/or garden only. He needs to adjust to yet another environment which does not seem safe to him: cars, bicycles, noise. He is getting better but needs more time and walks outside. 

He is also improving (with us) as far as play biting is concerned but he behaved really badly with my mum yesterday night. We went out for dinner and he stayed with her. First, he knows her house but doesn't stay there after dinner. Second, he runs and plays a lot while we watch tv and our house is bigger so he runs around etc. To cut it shortly, he played biting with my mum a bit too hard and apparently he was so crazy that it was impossible to stop him (and my mum knows how to deal with dogs). My mum had cuts on her arms and hands and there was even blood on the couch! This is NOT admissible. 

Rough playing is NOT good at all. We're trying to figure out how to stop rough playing. I'm reading this and this morning I took Millan's advice: gently but firmly cup the neck with the hand curved into the "claw" shape that mimics the dog's mouth. Well: it worked! The only issue, as the author points out, is timing "don't overcorrect, don't pinch, don't hold on too long after your puppy has relaxed" because it could be interpreted as a further challenge. I'm still working on the timing issue, but this seems to be the right way to stop Orlando. We'll see.

On a different note, I'll leave on Wednesday. I'm going to Varna (on the Black Sea) and I'll have almost a full day to visit before throwing myself into work. It seems an interesting city, more than I'd thought to be honest. 

Perhaps I'll write from there. 

Buona Domenica 

Orlando's chronicles

So he is here! He's sleeping now (thank God) and will eat in around an hour. We are exhausted! Wow. It's a first for G. and it's a first for a us as a couple: having a puppy is not so easy. He is wonderful but he does't spend 5 minutes alone. We always have to be in the same room which is fine... during the day. Yesterday I took F. advice and slept on the couch. Orlando was fine but he checked every hour or so in order to be sure that I was there. At 5:30 we went outside (he had to pee) and then he wanted to play a bit. We did play (poverina, as Andy says) and he got back to sleep. Lucky him, I didn't sleep at all. I feel a bit dizzy today. Orlando seems fine even though we've noticed that he sleeps more than yesterday which is a blessing. It's a big adjustment both to him and to us. Tonight I'll take A. advice and let him sleeping on his own in a room downstair. It'll be hard and he will cry a lot but he needs to understand that there are some rules, one of them being that he can't sleep with his parents.

Apparently he is very good with pee and poop. He doesn't "ask" to go outside but he pees and poops only in the garden. So... so far, so good.

We're getting to know each other and it'll take time. This morning I called him Duick....

Of course he is lovely even when chews my shoes or my books. By the way, he likes to chew everything, curtains and blackberry included. He is so funny, especially when he runs.

There are more things that I'd like to share and I'd also like to upload some pics but I really need a nap now :-) I feel like I've just had baby!