Great Progression - Training & life

Teaming up with my friend and her Presa Canario, I have been working Junior to a new standard as well as introducing him to the pack he will be spending alot of time with whilst working and out and about. 2 more Staffies, my Corgidor and the Presa. After the initial sulking and asking to be left alone politely, the dogs all get along just fine together inside and outside and Junior is proving to be quite the little sports dog and willing participant, as well as stupidly playful when he had the muzzle on. In fact, he looks forward to it (Baskerville Ultra), since he gets egg sandwiches and gets to play "hop-along-mum" with it on, which he can't do without it on. We played it in town today and I've never seen him so happy to see me in pain.

I've taken on ALL training for him, all socialisation and I say/suggest what comes and goes since I walk and excersise him. He's a brilliant guardian for me and is highly non reactive without prompts and responsive with prompts. "Leave it." only has to be repeated once and the combined command of "Sit, watch me." works a treat on him, getting him to focus. All commands are in English whereas his training partners are in German, so there is no confusion on the training, day or night.

A calm Junior is a safe and un-reactive Junior and so what, it takes about 3 - 5 hours of different excersises, games and training to get there, in bursts of course, but it's all worth it. I just keep an eye on his levels and body language and with my friend being a very experienced trainer and dog "reader", pack life is peaceful. We have the Presa as head of the group. Staffie 1 and my corgidor second, Junior third and Staffie 2 as the omega. The dogs sorted this out themselves, not us. We just enforce it fairly.

Christmas is coming and due to travelling, Junior will be with his owners and see me before and after Christmas, so that will be fun. He'll get a few presents, since he's a bear <3
Spoken with his owners in depth and there is now a deep and mutual understanding between us concerning J-face.

I have started to work in depth with Junior tonight and this will continue for the rest of the time I'm with him. My respect is growing for him. Bless him. This is going to be a fun few months. Plus we have the working trials this weekend as well as personal tests for him. Can't wait.

~ skull

Wow a lot going on for junior

gem wrote:Wow a lot going on for junior

The busier you keep the little whirlwind, the better he is for everyone. Had him curled up next to me whilst writing an essay, and he was staring at the screen, looking at each word at it appeared. Then he looked at me, licked his nose and was all like: "This...this right here...is boring..." and went to chew on my foot. Not a pleasant feeling. I was crying with laughter x3

Are you talking about the same dog? If so you have come on leaps and bounds since your initial post. Well done.

I take it he is with you full time now, as in another post he is going back at Christmas?

You appear to be doing a lot of work with him, is he ever enjoying the love of a family? Its very important imo to spend fun time.

Wishing you all the best. Make sure he has a settled home, because you don't seem to understand there behaviour. Sorry to be harsh and getting him away from his current owners is great.

Just don't say one thing in one post and totally different in the next.

We are here for support if you need it, and we all have the best of breed at heart.

He might as well be with me 24/7 now =D But there was a serious talk with his owners and there have been some big changes, and I do believe that Junior is going to be a calmer, happier dog, but as I said, in 6 months time, when I move out of my current place, I am going to attempt the huge leap of buying him, I'm already placing hints ^^
My foot has also recovered from the abuse.

can we see some pics

Of course. I'll make a thread :3

janey wrote:

Are you talking about the same dog? If so you have come on leaps and bounds since your initial post. Well done.

I take it he is with you full time now, as in another post he is going back at Christmas?

You appear to be doing a lot of work with him, is he ever enjoying the love of a family? Its very important imo to spend fun time.

Wishing you all the best. Make sure he has a settled home, because you don't seem to understand there behaviour. Sorry to be harsh and getting him away from his current owners is great.

Just don't say one thing in one post and totally different in the next.

We are here for support if you need it, and we all have the best of breed at heart.

wow yea its amazing one day he is annoying and irritating and the next he's your little J-face!

Thank you Janey. We're going up to Crawley tomorrow for some new scenery, extra training and behavioural assessments so this will be amusing at the very least.

I am confused.............

By? My change of attitude or what I was doing up in Crawley? XD

Probably by the complete reversal in a matter of days...

Understanding and clarity is a wonderful thing. That's all I'm saying XD