A day at the dog park

[BigBlueHen53]

It must be a big crate!
...will be interesting to see if that improves the situation, I've got my doubts.

Oh! I didn't quite catch that. Thought she meant she would sit in the room with the crate...

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Oh! I didn't quite catch that. Thought she meant she would sit in the room with the crate...

Yea I meant for me to sit OUTSIDE the crate. It IS big enough for us both to fit but I'm not the one having behaviors

 

[aart]

Yea I meant for me to sit OUTSIDE the crate. It IS big enough for us both to fit but I'm not the one having behaviors

Ohh, oops!

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Ohh, oops!

It turns out I didnt have to. I had to run to the post office so I crated her before I left. She did not try to get out and did not whine. She did have to wake up earlier than usual this morning though so she might have just been tired (SO had to go to work early and his alarm woke up the whole house). But I see a step in the right direction. My neighbor is getting his roof redone today so it sounds like fireworks going off next door from all the air nailers at work. I think its stressing her out so I'm limiting her outside time until they are finished. They started around 8 and it looks like they are halfway done with the shingles already

 

[aart]

It turns out I didnt have to.

Probably good....I think it may have been steps back.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Probably good....I think it may have been steps back.

Possibly. I do know she's getting WAAAY better with the chickens. I let them out today with her on the leash. I had a good grip just in case but it was loose enough that she wouldnt feel it. She just walked right over to them and sat down. Didnt even move when Leghorn pecked her tail. Just sat calmly and watched. At one point she was completely surrounded by them and they werent even a foot away. She just sat there and waited to be told it was ok to move. I gave her a treat and told her she's very good at her job. I'm beginning to think its not MY fault shes having behaviors...but another family member...he is more lax with her. Ive noticed him giving functional rewards for bad behavior. I dont think he's aware of it. I'm trying to point it out without being "the boss" and more like "the dog trainer". I suggested to him to take a class with her as that "might help them bond". He didnt seem too crazy about the idea. As for now I'll just keep reading these training books and hopefully pass some knowledge on to him. She really is a good dog...but only with me. Then again we have spent a LOT more time together for me to reinforce the bond and trust. I also know when to walk away if I'm getting frustrated which is rare now. Its funny because we could have an absolutely horrendous night of bad behavior to the point where I'm thinking we should get rid of her but I wake up the next morning and she's just a sweet little angel. Maybe she needs more exercise to burn off energy?

 

[lcwmt]

[QUOTE="-snip- I also know when to walk away if I'm getting frustrated which is rare now. Its funny because we could have an absolutely horrendous night of bad behavior to the point where I'm thinking we should get rid of her but I wake up the next morning and she's just a sweet little angel. Maybe she needs more exercise to burn off energy?[/QUOTE]

BC mix: they require a lot of exercise! In a herding/working situation they'll often go 20-25 miles a day (not in one spurt of course!). Keep her busy with physical exercise AND mental exercise.
FWIW Patricia McConnell has a great website with a wonderful blog. She loves the Border Collies. Her training information is top notch, IMO.

 

[aart]

Maybe she needs more exercise to burn off energy?

That can always help....pus, ya know, it's just gonna take time.
Playing fetch always worked for us, fenced in yard and no chickens at the time.
Can work it 'drop it', or just throw one ball they'd drop the other.
Always tuckered them out before formal training sessions.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

[QUOTE="-snip- I also know when to walk away if I'm getting frustrated which is rare now. Its funny because we could have an absolutely horrendous night of bad behavior to the point where I'm thinking we should get rid of her but I wake up the next morning and she's just a sweet little angel. Maybe she needs more exercise to burn off energy?

BC mix: they require a lot of exercise! In a herding/working situation they'll often go 20-25 miles a day (not in one spurt of course!). Keep her busy with physical exercise AND mental exercise.
FWIW Patricia McConnell has a great website with a wonderful blog. She loves the Border Collies. Her training information is top notch, IMO.[/QUOTE]
We play hide and seek and do training exercises. She wants to go on a long walk right now but she hasnt peed since this morning. If I take her before she pees...she usually will on the walk. But then she wants the reward of the walk EVERY TIME she goes outside and will hold in her urine. Shes good about pooping though. She wont just run around and burn off energy if I let her outside. She will sit at the door and wait for me to come out. I'd love to take her on a walk but she has to pee first!

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

That can always help....pus, ya know, it's just gonna take time.
Playing fetch always worked for us, fenced in yard and no chickens at the time.
Can work it 'drop it', or just throw one ball they'd drop the other.
Always tuckered them out before formal training sessions.

We just did "monster in the middle" with the most fierce beast in the house: the vacuum cleaner. It took several circles for her to stop trying to attack it and making the "good" choice of turning her body or walkimg away