Coronavirus, Covid 19 Discussion and How It Has Affected Your Daily Life Chat Thread

[Molpet]

What do you do? Squirt them near their mouth or something?

The head, they don't like the smell of vinegar

 

[MROO]

KDOG, our friend, MROO is trying to work on her own mental stimulation, never mind the dog!!
I'm kidding

I think I've got the "mental" part down pat ... the stimulation factor? Not so much!

 

[MROO]

I heard some of the math with common core was really weird? Like they were teaching weird roundabout things or whatever? And oh wow that really sucks! that’s ridiculous!

"Weird" doesn't BEGIN to describe Common Core Math!

 

[MROO]

Okay - I'm finally caught up, so I guess it's relatively safe to turn in for the night. I'll catch you all on the flip side!

 

[ShrekDawg]

She has a puzzle bowl - two different versions, in fact. She has multiple Kongs, a massive rope and too many squeakies and stuffies to count. I found a great pattern for a toy box, too, which DD has promised to build for us. It's one Skye can fill and work herself. She goes on lots of runs and has a half a jolly ball in the back yard. It's only half because she destroyed the handle, so it looks like a floppy football, now. Apparently that's how she likes it, because it's the second one she's customized that way. She no longer chews it, just flips and chases it. I swear I've never seen a dog entertain themselves like she can with a toy. It's great!
DD takes Skye on runs - on foot and with a bicycle - and she's a regular at TSC and just "rides" around on errands. She does "touch" work, but hasn't mastered all of her basics - inconsistent on Heel and Stay, but learning. She's got WAY too much energy, still!
Her main issue is the kids next door. They tormented her so badly that they ruined her. They were poking through my fence to get her all riled up and biting. They stopped once they were ratted out by a friend and got reamed out by myself and both parents, but the damage is done. She's child aggressive, now, and is constantly on alert for them outside the fence and windows. it's made her pretty tense. - and she goes ballistic whenever she sees or hears them There are seven of them, so there's always one around to upset her apple cart ... and her concentration.
So - I understand why she's the way she is ... but I still can't have it. I hope we can get her past this before she hurts someone - human or animal.

Oh wow! Poor thing. totally understandable! That must be terribly upsetting for her!

It does sound like she gets a lot of exercise! But they actually say that sometimes too much exercise can make them too fit so nothing tired them out haha

I think teaching her the names of her toys and/or to put them away could be something fun and stimulating for her for sure!

I would also consider doing more of the mental stuff with her because it does sound like she might be a bit bored mentally despite the exercise and play, etc. Some dogs just really like having, even need, a “job” to do. She may be one.

Trick and obedience training help but I would also look into nosework, a relatively new but very fun sport, or agility, which would tire both mind and body. You can do at least basics of both at home even without classes or anything.

There’s also other scent games that aren’t necessarily the official sport. Like Gator used to love “find it” where I would hide food around the house or hide a toy, etc. and make them go find it. But you may want to be careful with this one if she is a resource guarded, which she sounds like she may be. Perhaps do this with one dog at a time. You should also start with it easy, like placing the treat or toy where she can see it, in front of her, and saying “find it” or “seek” or whatever word and building up to harder levels. Can also do this with food in boxes instead of around the room. That part is the very basics of nosework too except they eventually use specific odors.

Another game Gator really liked is hide and seek which is exactly what it sounds like. I would hide somewhere then I would call him and he’d come find me. You can also teach this as a command like find it and have somebody else hold the dog and tell them to find you like “find *your name*” or “Seek” or whatever but since I didn’t have anyone helping me I just called him when I was ready. Made him stay somewhere first. Since her stay is iffy you may want to have someone hold her.

You can also take her on a short walk or in the yard or wherever and let her sniff as much as she wants. Sniffing can be very calming and stimulating to dogs so they really like it and it’s fairly easy to do.

Another thing I really liked is this box game which I mentioned before. You can really have a lot of fun with it and it’s great too because it teaches them how to think and learn, which can help in teaching other tricks, and builds their confidence.

https://www.clickertraining.com/101-things-to-do-with-a-box

These books may also help you with her other issues especially the aggression, reactivity, and fear and general craziness haha I really like them.

https://www.amazon.com/Click-Calm-Healing-Aggressive-Clicker/dp/1890948209

https://www.amazon.com/Fired-Up-Frantic-Freaked-Out/dp/0985934921

https://www.amazon.com/Feisty-Fido-Help-Leash-Reactive-Dog/dp/1891767070

https://www.amazon.com/Cautious-Canine-How-Conquer-Their-Fears/dp/1891767003

And although not directly related, this one is a good read too.

https://www.amazon.com/Other-End-Leash-What-Around/dp/034544678X

I apologize for the absolutely MASSIVE novel but hopefully at least part of this will help you.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Nah - MacBeth's got so many sub-plots and twists-n-turns that readers get lost in the middle. Besides ... it's in the Clif's Notes! View attachment 2212982

 

[Aunt Angus]

"Weird" doesn't BEGIN to describe Common Core Math!

It's not so weird or bad, imo. I think a lot of people see it out of context, like on social media posts of a problem or a page. It's the same math but with a conceptual approach. Yes, 2x2=4. Common Core seeks to teach the "why" and the "how."

My younger son was a sophomore in HS when Common Core was adopted for math. He has special needs, and his deficit primarily manifests itself in math. He went from not being able to multiply to being able to solve algebraic equations just by looking at them. I credit his fantastic teacher and Common Core. It was no longer arbitrary to my son. It started to make sense because he got the "why" and the "how."

 

[ShrekDawg]

OH! And all that said, I would HIGHLY recommend finding and working with a qualified trainer and/or behaviorist in your area if you can before things get out of hand but hopefully that stuff will help.

 

[electrycmonk]

Anyone ever read Shakespeare??? Just wondering

Bill?! One of my BA's is Tech theatre....... What do ya think (wink)

 

[ShrekDawg]

Forgot to share these earlier. No that is not a bird in the first pic.