what's up doc?

nothing much except for everything! This past week it seems like i could not get enough sleep. It has rained a ton so i have not been able to work with Bryce as much as I want and need to. Hopefully tomorrow night it wont be raining and we can work on stay and down. He seems to be responding to class and is less fearful than when we started. He is started to reach out and sniff others during the weave and also not slink back.

We are still working on his fear of strangers though. I took him to an adoption event on Saturday and while he did well for him, he was still afraid of people. Therefore giving his usual growl, which does turn some people off. I did notice though that if people hesitated to touch him, that gave him the time to think about what they were doing, which then resulted in a growl. The more people were encouraged to just touch him, with permission from me of course, the less he seemed to growl. Who really knows what is going on his head though.

Today I had to go to Bangor. Santana, Buddy, and Bryce all stayed home with Husband. He let them Buddy and Bryce play for a few hours. I got a picture message and Bryce and Buddy were taking a little rest in the dining room. So cute! Im glad Bryce can take the time to chill out.

He is getting better with his accidents. I know what signs to look for now so I think the last few times have been my fault. Oh well...what can you do except just put him outside and praise him for doing it outside.

This coming week will be interesting! I am going to Arkansas with the rescue to pick up some more sweeties that need to come to Maine. Im thrilled to go and help out and see some of the country I haven't seen before. Bryce will be staying home with Husband, Buddy, and Santana. He is getting better with Husband. Tonight I just witnessed Bryce follow him into the kitchen WITHOUT Buddy. WOOOHOO! Thats a huge step since Bryce still seems to think Husband is out to get him. And Husband just came in to visit me.....no growls from Bryce! I cant believe it! Here's to hoping that it is the start of something huge!

Ive been soooo busy!

It seems like I havent done a thing but Im so beat after work I just dont want to hop online at home. So here I am! Just finishing up a few things. We have been to another training class. We do a weave at the beginning of every class. Each dog must heel while weaving around the circle full of dogs. Bryce does ok when its his turn to weave but the cool thing is that he is starting to reach out and sniff the people weaving around us!! He still will try to hide behind me at some points but he is getting more comfortable.

Two classes ago, we started releasing them for a bit of play time after we learned a new command and worked on it. He wouldnt relax at all and seemed freaked by all the high pitched voices and all the dogs running around. This last class, (he is laying in the dining room with a ball as we speak...tail waggin, so cute!) he figured out its not all bad so he wasnt as afraid but still very unsure of what was going on. Last tuesday, we learned "stay". This is going to be hard for me to teach because I dont teach it well. Also, with his insecurities, he is like my glue dog! He likes to stay really close. He did surprisingly well with it to start with, however, I do need to practice more. We also took graduation pictures! He seemed very excited about the lab next to us and was kissy face with him. Hoping the pictures came out ok.

His other milestone since my last post, he figured out belly rubs!! I was having a night where I just wanted him to chill out. So he was on a leash and I was just trying to keep him in a "down" position. So I started rubbing his belly. He loved it! So much that he rolled over and just wanted more. Chris came in and started rubbing his belly too. That was really awesome because there was no growling or hiding and he was in a completely submissive and trustful position. I just wish he would translate that to other situations. Like when Chris comes home from work. ***sigh*** he will figure it out!

by golly he learns fast!!

We have gone to two classes of training. Bryce is still very afraid but is getting better. He has learned heel but gets so excited that he forgets what he should be doing and darts ahead of me. Leading me to correct again and we go through this cycle. I want to praise him but when I do that causes the excitement. hmmmm...what to do....

This week we learned how to train "front". Basically its come when called and sit directly in FRONT of me. We did a little training yesterday and went for a walk today. I let him walk with a loose leash, would stop and teach "front". About the 3rd time, he got it. Came right to me and sat. He sat crooked, but he still sat! So I think the crookedness will get taken care of in time.

I have faith this class will help him to be more confident. I noticed he has not had an accident in the house in quite some time and he doesnt run to be under or behind furniture anymore. Yeah!