Days 253- 255
Monday January 26th- Wednesday January 27th
Training Lucy
After the craziness of the first day it was time to get to work helping Lucy adapt to her new home and being a well-behaved pupper in general. Lucy got in four separate fights with the other dogs that first some, some quite vicious. We were a little concerned about her aggressiveness issues and control issues. She was great around humans though she had no structured boundaries. She would jump from couch to couch, chill out on the coffee table, lick any new comer to the house until they were slopping wet, and generally get a little too excited when indoors. Most of these were little quirks that are easy enough to temper. The fighting, aggressiveness and possesiveness had to be a priority.
I got in touch with Boxer Rescue down in LA and they had a wealth of information on what to expect with rescued boxers. I figured they deal with integrating new dogs into an established pack all the time. Sure enough they were a wealth of information (AND have some amazing dogs ready for adoption NOW). Based on the information we found about how best to integrate a new boxer into the household, Bick started daily training routines. First he would work with Lucy then with both dogs together. The training went on all day every day-- in the back yard, out on the leash, at the beach, and on and on. Overall I am pretty darn impressed with how much head way he has been making in such a short time! Already Lucy is responding to a number of commands, even when she is all worked up. Lucy is doing significantly better not only with the three house dogs but also other dogs she meets out and about her own. She is finally settling down enough that dinner time isn't sucha huge hassle.
Overall I will have to say that Lucy is one special pupper. Not only Lucy but Kaya as well. At first Kaya was a little protective of her home turf and her toys. She has quickly adapted though and accepted Lucy into the pack. Though honestly there are some times when Kaya gets a little annoyed having a little sister tagging along all day. Having two annoying little sisters myself, we know how that goes!
Monday January 26th- Wednesday January 27th
Training Lucy
After the craziness of the first day it was time to get to work helping Lucy adapt to her new home and being a well-behaved pupper in general. Lucy got in four separate fights with the other dogs that first some, some quite vicious. We were a little concerned about her aggressiveness issues and control issues. She was great around humans though she had no structured boundaries. She would jump from couch to couch, chill out on the coffee table, lick any new comer to the house until they were slopping wet, and generally get a little too excited when indoors. Most of these were little quirks that are easy enough to temper. The fighting, aggressiveness and possesiveness had to be a priority.
I got in touch with Boxer Rescue down in LA and they had a wealth of information on what to expect with rescued boxers. I figured they deal with integrating new dogs into an established pack all the time. Sure enough they were a wealth of information (AND have some amazing dogs ready for adoption NOW). Based on the information we found about how best to integrate a new boxer into the household, Bick started daily training routines. First he would work with Lucy then with both dogs together. The training went on all day every day-- in the back yard, out on the leash, at the beach, and on and on. Overall I am pretty darn impressed with how much head way he has been making in such a short time! Already Lucy is responding to a number of commands, even when she is all worked up. Lucy is doing significantly better not only with the three house dogs but also other dogs she meets out and about her own. She is finally settling down enough that dinner time isn't sucha huge hassle.
Overall I will have to say that Lucy is one special pupper. Not only Lucy but Kaya as well. At first Kaya was a little protective of her home turf and her toys. She has quickly adapted though and accepted Lucy into the pack. Though honestly there are some times when Kaya gets a little annoyed having a little sister tagging along all day. Having two annoying little sisters myself, we know how that goes!
First they run this way.
Then this way, wash, rinse, repeat, over and over again. 
Obedience training: Kaya first then Lucy to emphasize the Alpha, over and over and over and over and over again.
After an hour and a dozen handfuls of treats it is time for bed. Doggy boot camp starts again bright and early at half past 5 in the AM. Walking, sitting, staying, coming, playing, treating, and on and on until Lucy gets these commands in her thick skull for good. Thankfully she is a firecracker of a learner.
No comments:
Post a Comment