grumpette

I love the way that Jake's mind works. He is so evil Bwahaa

He tried tonight, but Dee came along and tried to take it off him, resulting in a tug of war. Lets just say that the box is a little worse for wear. But on a great note, both dogs can tip the box over with their paw.

Will Justice approach the box if food is in it? If so, you can use the food to create a positive association with the box. Hide the food under the box a few times, then put the box down with no food, and as Justice goes towards it, mark and reward. When he touches it, jackpot the reward. If he turns it over, really jackpot the reward. That way he will begin to associate the box with positive rewards, not the fact that the box hides a reward. I hope that makes sense.

Any interaction is done predominately through shaping, whether it is click and reward, or mark and reward. So lots of patience. My guys already think boxes are a great source of fun and entertainment, so they naturally interact with the box. My mission is to now teach them to do it in a less destructive manner. I want to teach then to tip the box over themselves and move around with it. This should be relatively easy considering they paw and pick things up. It is finding a box big enough that is going to be the challenge.

I wanted them to do it gently, and not destroy the box. Cardboard in this house ends up as confetti on so many occasions, especially with Zeph. Or he picks it up, brings it to you, then buggers off with it and turns it into confetti. Nothing like living with a character.

Luring and a healthy respect for food refusal. The look on Zeph's face is rather priceless :laugh:

We still have Baylee's bowl in place 18 months after her passing, and Dee eats in her spot next to Baylee's and Zeph in his, as if she was still here. It just seems right that way, and the dogs aren't confused. Just a suggestion

Oh T, I am so very sorry that Zeddy has passed. May she and Woosie have a great reunion at the Bridge. Huge hugs to you and the rest of the clan. They will settle soon and balance will be restored. Lots of Rottie kisses and crazy cuddles coming your way.

What is it with dogs and the toilet. Is it because when we toilet train them we go out with them and praise them, so they feel the need to come and praise us? Or do they think that there is a secret exit that we can use to escape them unnoticed? Strange creatures lol With Hank having so much character is it any wonder that Jake is also full of character? You raise interesting dogs lol Snook, have you tried hiding food or treats in the box? That is how I got my dogs started. As well as hiding food in toilet and other rolls of cardboard, by taping up the ends.

It is a great idea to engage Justice with training before you go out, so that hopefully he is mentally tired and relaxes whilst you are out. Just make sure to keep his training episodes random so that he does not associate training with you going out. They are bloody great at associating cues. Everytime I go to the loo the dogs come rushing in, in anticipation of a walk. Yes, I always go pee before I take Dee for a walk just in case we run into trouble. So much easier to concentrate and react on an empty bladder. :laugh: It is great to hear that the cartrophen is working for Jake.

Aww Willow is a cutie

How is Justice coping today, Snook?

So glad that Justice has settled for the night. May tomorrow be a lot better :)

Was he asleep? A bad dream may have shaken him. Did he possibly hear something outside due to the weather? Poor Justice is not having a good day today.

Hubba hubba Jake. Totally rockin' it in your box. Love the bully in a box pose. PS the collar is bloody impressive as well.

Thank you. If you look really closely at the front flap you can see slobber where the liver treats were lol

Thanks so much for the kind words, grumpette. The photos of Zeph and Dee are awesome.. and hilarious! :laugh: It seems that Justice LOVES noseworks and sniffing his way through all the boxes to find the one with the cheese, probably because he gets to eat the cheese when he finds it.. lol. I was going to try 101 Things this afternoon but he's not having a good day so think I'll leave it until tomorrow and hope he's coping a bit better. Poor Justice had a bit of a freak out after I got home this afternoon from the gym and shopping.. He was his normal excited self when I first got home and we had a cuddle before I put the groceries away and he was fine. I grabbed some poo bags after the shopping was sorted and popped out the back to do a poo patrol but when I went to come back inside, Justice was standing in the doorway shaking and with his tail tucked between his legs. I have no idea what upset him but I started using an excited voice and encouraging him and he recovered and we went inside together. Then I took him out to the car with me and he came for a drive to put the car under the carport down the back (I'm in a unit set back from the road behind another unit but my under cover car park is right at the back of the property) and trotted back to the unit with me like nothing was wrong (there are no dogs in the other units so no risk of any barking or dogs rushing out of another unit). We got inside and I put some soup in the microwave and sat down to do some "sit, stay, look" training with him while I waited for my lunch and he pinned his ears back and looked stressed. I kept going because I've gotten him out of mini meltdowns before by getting him to focus on training but after four treats he refused to accept them and was shaking and trying to climb on my lap. I forgot the training and just comforted him until he settled but I'm absolutely mystified as to what triggered the upset. This was a couple of hours ago and I just pulled out the container of treats again and asked him if he wanted to do some training (he usually jumps up and runs over at the chance to earn some treats) and he just lifted his head up, looked at me and then curled back up in to a ball on the couch. I have no idea what's going on with him today. Is it possible that he associated the poo bags with a walk? Are they the same treats that you would take with you on a walk?

As requested Hankdog Zeph with front legs in the box. Zeph sitting in the box, just!!! His bum is on the edge and you can just see his tail on the floor Dee with front legs in the box, with Zeph photobombing. Never one to be left out!! Dee sitting in the box, completely, as she tucks her tail in, like a true Lady.

I'm not secretly watching Blaze grow up with a very vested interest, I don't know what you're talking about :laugh: Be very careful, because, just like Rottweilers, you cannot stop at one.

Better Late and Thistle it is great to read that you are making progress with your dogs. Enjoy each victory. Thanks heaps for the 101 things to do with a box. So many ideas. :D

What a bugger about Justice shutting down when out and about. But it is great that he still copes with his play dates with Pax and visiting Gruf's paddock. I really hope that the box games and other confidence building activities help him to reclaim some of his confidence. It is brilliant to hear that Jake is going forward in leaps and bounds. It is so all consuming and sometimes exhausting dealing with a dog that requires so much attention and careful management. Both boys have such great personalities and they are a credit to the both of you. Well done Snook and Hankdog.

Very impressive Blaze

OMG they are so Mother and Daughter. Brilliant photo. Do they have the same working style/motivation?

Thanks heaps guys. A great source of information as usual. Love DOL.

Hi All Knowledgeable Canine Owners in the ACT Could you please recommend a canine chiropractor for a 9 year old Labrador who needs some regular maintenance to ensure continued mobility. She is currently overweight, but her owner is reducing it through diet and exercise, hence the need for a regular chiro, to ensure that she keeps moving. It was thought that she had arthritis in her spin and hips, but a vet/chiro visit while down here determined that it was a leg injury and subsequent muscle strain due to compensation for the injury that was causing pain. Thanks heaps for your suggestions.