tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post2743116345168404240..comments2023-07-19T05:06:28.227-05:00Comments on The Dogs Are Really In Charge: Vito update!Laura and The Corgi, Toller, & Duckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06437492165453445126noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post-84033713354709886102009-07-27T08:50:27.634-05:002009-07-27T08:50:27.634-05:00I know how you feel about your dog being a lot of ...I know how you feel about your dog being a lot of work! That is Jun for sure! I also feel your pain about toy obsessions. Lok used to not be able to think at all when any kind of toy was involved. We've done a lot of Leslie McDevitt relaxation/off-switch work and have started to overcome it, to the point where I can use a tug as a reward in obedience.Ninsohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11926615638315977082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post-11732636962868288652009-07-26T07:07:25.827-05:002009-07-26T07:07:25.827-05:00Sounds like you're making great progress with ...Sounds like you're making great progress with Vito, despite your "reservations" - I think a lot of things will come given time and more repetition and practice (sigh, no easier way!)<br /><br />About the ball obsession, don't really know if I can offer any advice other than to say I totally sympathise AND empathise since Honey has a similar tennis ball obsession. She is not as bad as Vito in that if told really firmly to leave it alone, she can (sort of) focus on me when there's a ball there (even if someone else was holding it) but this may just be that she is a lot older and therefore has developed more self-control. It's still a struggle though! <br /><br />We do sometimes leave tennis balls around the house and she will usually pounce on them and play manically for a bit - and probably spend a lot of time 'prancing' around with it hidden in her huge mouth, wagging her tail, very pleased with herself but EVENTUALLY she will drop it and leave it alone. <br /><br />She IS very good with other dogs' balls, though - if we see another dog chasing their ball in the park, she'll alert and get fixated but then if I say "Not your ball, Honey" - she will calm down and ignore them (unless they throw the ball under her nose!). But it has taken quite a lot of repetition and rewards to get there.<br /><br />The only thing I can suggest maybe if starting at a greater distance? ie. you said he is OK ignoring a "dead ball" - the problem is with someone holding the ball...so maybe you could ask a friend to help (or try this during obedience class with a partner) and get them to stand at a "non-reactive" distance away from you and Vito and hold the ball, while you reward him for ignoring it...then get them to swing their arms around like they're going to throw it - and reward him for ignoring that...and then gradually reducing the distance. <br /><br />Good luck! I'm sure with your persistence and dedication, you'll sort somethign out/...and anyway, don't they say it's good to have a dog that's very ball-obsessed in a way...it's a sign of work drive? :-)<br /><br />Hsin-YiAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09116997529248428606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post-37512838009513580972009-07-26T05:52:03.779-05:002009-07-26T05:52:03.779-05:00Hey! We know all about those rear end crosses beca...Hey! We know all about those rear end crosses because Momma was supposed to do one for the first time at our agilities yesterday and she totally messed up and showed me to go through the tunnel when I was supposed to jump. I think next time I will spend more time in the play area and let her walk the course without me.<br /><br />At least you have tennis balls. I only get them at special times because Mango tries to swallow them.<br /><br />You are making great progress with your separation anxiety. You are lucky to have such smart humans that can work with you.<br /><br />Kisses,<br />DexterDexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09238751458587219022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360711630366485930.post-72313380476297282692009-07-25T10:40:54.378-05:002009-07-25T10:40:54.378-05:00Sounds like things are progressing well. Sorry I ...Sounds like things are progressing well. Sorry I don't have any advice about the ball. Never had a dog with obsessive focus on an object. Good luck!!Achieve1dreamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15401246064499148344noreply@blogger.com