Turning the tables

I've decided that I need to turn the tables on the dominance in my house.  At present Leloo is the leader of the pack when my husband is gone.  I've known this for a long time, but in the last few days I've been channeling the dog whisper and have been practicing calm, assertive presence.  I want to be the pack leader and I'm not going to quit until I am.  Today Leloo has thrown at least two fits, but I'm learning to stay calm and make her do what I want no matter what.  She has this thing about rolling on the floor like a crocodile if she doesn't want to do something.  The Dog Whisper says not to get frustrated, but to stay calm and stick with it.  No matter how much they fight in the end they will have to do as you say.  I shouldn't feel bad, because she will respect me in the end.  I have to watch an episode or two of the Dog Whisper to remind myself.
We've (I've) been doing great at making sure she gets her exercise everyday.  I think she's getting used to the mile, so I may have to increase the distance.  I can't fall back into the old patterns of just keeping her happy and placate her bad behavior to just get through.  I've always had issues with walking her, because of the pulling.  That hasn't changed, but the last few days as soon as she starts that I pull her back to me and hold her by the collar until she walks a straight line.  It's still a work in progress. 
The reason we've picked up the pace with walks everyday is because there are too many untrained and unruly dogs with clueless owners at the dog park.  It's sad, but I just can't take a chance.  Every once in awhile I may breakdown and take her, but for now we're going to take walks everyday.  I liked taking her to the park more so than walks because of how hard it is to walk her.  At the park she got socialization and she got to run.  Unfortunately because of at least one bad dog/bad owner we just can't have fun there.
The other issue we have is Leloo flipping out when she seeing birds or rabbits.  I don't know what she would do if she actually caught them, but I really don't want to find out.  I've been doing "No" with a small yank on the leash when I see her searching the tall grass.  I'm not sure yet what to do other than pull back when a bunny jumps out in front of us.  All I can do at this point hold onto the reigns.  Other husky owners know exactly what I'm talking about.
Wish me luck on my quest to be pack leader!!!!

Dog training week 5:graduation

Yes you are reading this correctly!! Leloo passed her training class.  Or I should say we both passed.  Her final exam was to do one trick.  The trainer told us to do one she is really good at.  That would be saying thank you.  It was lead with a lot of  Ahhhhs.  Yeah she's a crowd pleaser.

Dog training week 3 & 4

Well folks Leloo missed dog training week 4.  Not her fault, mom got home late and completely forgot!!!  I think she wasn't too upset.  I do have some updates on her training though.  Week 3 didn't go as well as week 2.  Leloo was really agitated the whole session.  I thought her little sprint around the neighborhood would have worn her out, (this was the day someone let her loose).  It did not.  She was pulling away from me the entire time.  I could only slightly keep her attention as long as the treats were in site.  It was a bit frustrating.  We have been working on "stay" and the trainer checked to see if any of the dogs had separation anxiety.  Leloo did well with both surprisingly.  Even though she was overly excited. We've been really working on the stay.  I wasn't sure if it would work with other dogs and people, but as long as she is on lease it works great.  She has separation anxiety only when she is completely alone.  She'll tear things apart while we're gone aka toilet paper, paper towels, amongst other things.  Not every time, just when she's frustrated.  The trainer was impressed that she didn't even notice that I was gone.  I wasn't, I was a little disappointed. :(  But I know it is a good thing.

Dog training take 2: week 2

Leloo had dog training last night and she did an awesome job!  Yes you heard that right.

The trainer brought a gentle leader and it worked like a charm.  Leloo still pulled it off her nose at one point, but I got it back on.  It was a little too big for her which is why she was able to pull it off.  Next week I’ll bring her’s.  I never thought about using the gentle leader for training.  I use it for walks here and there.  Leloo did her bucking thing while we were practicing walking for the trainer so she saw what I was talking about.  I just need to keep walking and she'll have no choice but to get back in line.

It was good training over all.  Which is what I was hoping for since we’ve been practicing.  I told the trainer about how I bought tons of treats and how we've been working hard all week.  She smiled and said it shows.  She also noticed that Leloo was so much calmer this week.  That's because she played outside most of the day, so she had worn herself out.

We received our next assignment for next week, greeting people and other dogs.  This is Leloo's biggest challege.  She gets overly excited when she's meeting people.  She did well with the trainer walking up, but we will be practicing this.  I want her to calm down when she hears the doorbell or when people come in the door.  I'll be recruiting family for this.

Next week we'll be learning how to be groomed as well.  Also another one of Leloo's issues.  Sort of thinking this class is more for her than the other dogs, since they all seem to be more well behaved. LOL

Good thing toilet paper comes in large quantities!

Leloo, I suppose, got a little frustrated today all on her own and bulldozed another roll of toilet paper.  I cleaned it up before taking a picture, but I'm sure you can picture it.

I am super glad we are doing the training.  Today we practiced again looking when called and all of her other tricks.  I don't understand why it's challenging to look at me when she hears "LELOO", but yet she can tell me she wants a treat by howling at me and leading me to the treats and even tapping the one she wants!  Hmmmm seems like someone is sandbagging for extra treats. 

I'm hoping to get her on schedule again.  I hate putting her in the crate.  If this destruction continues though it will have to be that way.

Dog training Take 2: week 1

Well tonight was the first day of dog training.  Where to begin...it didn't go as planned.  Ok what ever does?

There were a few reason I believe it didn't go well.  One: Leloo wasn't in the least bit interested in what I was telling her to do.  We didn't get to go for a walk before we left so she was extra wound up.  She couldn't calm down.  Two: there were the treats.  You'd think I was trying to give her something nasty.  She sniffed and looked away.  Arrrggghh.  What a night.  I have to say that the way things went I was a little frustrated, she knows soooooo many commands and if you just met her tonight you'd think she was a different dog altogether.

The class was made up of seven dogs.  All of which seemed to be young around Leloo's age.  There were two boxers (same owners), two border collies (same owners), one German shepherd, and one black lab.  Leloo oddly enough has met the border collies before.  I think she recognized them first, because she was jumping and carrying on quite a bit more when she looked in their direction.  I finally heard the dogs names and realized who these two dogs were as well, she has played with them at the park.  It's funny when I recognize the dogs more than the owners!  Their owners did the same thing.  Both dogs are so cute, and super smart.  Just about every owner there was dealing with the same basic behavioral issues.  Over excitement with new people or other dogs, keeping them focused on you, and stealing things (aka toilet paper).  Some of the dogs had sort of aggression issues, but none seemed violent.  Leloo's not aggressive just wants to play 24/7.

The instructor had a few comments for me, one get treats she will want, and second burn her out before training.  So guess what we did immediately after training?  We went to the pet store at 7:45pm and got 5 count them 5 different treats!!!  I'm not messing around.  The trainer said to bring a variety to keep her guessing so she doesn't get sick of any particular kind.  As for the exercising, my husband is going to have to take her either to the park or for a walk while I'm at work.  Hopefully it won't be like today and rain the whole day. 

We got our first homework assignment.  Rewarding her when she hears her name and looks at me.  The trainer did notice that Leloo doesn't respond to hand gestures as well as just talking to her.  I know that too, she's a good listener when she wants to be.  I only do the hand gesture if I think she can't hear me.  Or if she just isn't listening.  She also noticed that Leloo does know how to do several commands she just can't focus when there are lots of distractions.  Hopefully we can do better!  I want her to pass the "good citizen's" test.