Java's Breakthrough???

Training Java has really had me stumped.  She obviously does not really care for food but certainly is starting to enjoy our training sessions.  I no longer have to pop her in the middle of my other dog's sessions for 30 seconds just to get her to do something.  As long as I don't spend too much time on any one behavior, I hold her attention most days for my entire training session (5-15minutes).

But training wise I have been really struggling on getting her to do a retrieve.  At the facility I had finally gotten her to mouth an object after weeks of struggling with glances, then lots of foot touches, noses, and finally open mouths.  At my house things have progressed much faster but I still could not get her to bring an object to me.  Actually all I had gotten was the opposite, pick up an object and back up!  I tried running backwards (she would drop it), leaning or taking 1 step backwards (she still move backed), shoving my hand under her (more backing), a large bucket underneath to maybe start with a "clean up" (backing up faster!), my trusty take from hand and turn game (drops immediately), starting with the item in front of me (flings it away from me), and the object in front of the bucket (stands in the bucket happily).  On the positive side I was getting more of a hold out of her in this process, albeit a mouthy one.

But the last two sessions she seems to have made a very tiny breathrough!  She let me put my hand under her mouth without backing up and even started to take a tiny step towards me with the item!  Fingers crossed that she has stopped toying with me and is going to play my game.  She certainly isn't stupid so I don't know why it's been so hard to  communicate with her!

Her other training is going ok.  Not great, but she is making faster progress.  Her favorite thing to do is pivoting on the bowl and we are currently doing very tiny pivots in heel.  We also have a very tiny tug that is just strong enough to open my light, very easy to open, cabinets.  And a light nudge to a target taped on a drawer.

Basic manners is something that is going much much faster with her!  Java is doing awesome at loose leash walking, even at the agility trial with dogs everywhere!  She was always a nut at the puppy raiser classes, but I think all our attention work and treats shoved down her throat every step of walking has been paying off!  I forgot treats for the dogs on Sunday at the trial, but Java still did awesome!

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Java Boot Camp

So far Java's little boot camp is having mixed results.  On the negative side she isn't eating all of her food and she's already underweight (and I like dogs thin!).  She doesn't seem to care at all if I grab some of her kibble and give it to my boys although Lance and Vito are loving this failed plan!  

But on the positive side she is getting more excited about working for her dinner and I'm able to stretch our little sessions longer and longer.  Instead of completely training one dog and then moving on, I am doing about 1min with dog 1, then 5-30 seconds of Java, repeat until dog 1 is done, and then move to dog 2 and Java.  At first she could care less if the other dogs were eating but now she is hanging around and barging in.  My poor dogs think it sucks to have my attention divided and a dog in their face, but I'm letting her be rude and pushy for now.  Java is actually starting to eat most of the kibble I'm giving her during a training session now, as long as I keep each little section with her extremely short.  Currently I'm working on her retrieve, tugging a drawer, nosing a target, and  pivoting on a stool.

During the day I'm trying to play a lot of tug with Java.  I am a firm believer in tug of war really strengthening the play retrieve.  I think there are a ton of benefits, but the most important one to me is that it's a very easy way to teach the dog to put the object directly into your hand instead of just chucking it on the ground or running off with an item.  Of course there are many dogs who retrieve brilliantly when they are playing but have no clue how to retrieve anything other than a toy.  Java currently has only a half play retrieve and zero formal retrieve.  She is enjoying the tug sessions though as long as I keep them short :)

And on the ferret front things are starting to calm down.  We still have barriers up surrounding their cage so she can't just sit and stare.  When one happens to make a sound she is up in a heartbeat to pace and do a bit of whining.  But Java has actually been great when the ferrets are out playing!  She was extremely excited at first, and well still is obsessed, but mainly she just runs around our little basement going from ferret to ferret.  It's as if she's constantly keeping track of where they are and since we have 5 of them she is very busy!  Java has done a little bit of playing with them, but mainly it's the counting thing.

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Seeing Double

Can you tell who's who?

 

Having Java around really makes me want another toller!!!  Java and Vito have very different personalities but I am just in love with the tollerness.

Java is very calm compared to Vito.  I can get Vito into a wriggly, talking, intense mess in less then two seconds.  Java just stares at me.

Java loves tennis balls and other toys (doesn't have a great play retrieve though) but has no interest in working for them.  Vito will do anything in order to get a toy, but looses his brain in the process so can't actually do a thing.

Vito screams when he's super super excited and talks anytime he's a little excited.  Java has yet to make a sound besides some barking at the door or whining at the ferret cage.

Both are pretty indifferent with new people (well unless Vito sees that you have a toy!) but very cuddly once they get to know you.  Both seem to have the same bouncy joy for life.  

 I won't be getting another dog anytime soon but when that time comes I really want another toller!

Oh, and Vito is pictured left, Java right.

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Trade!

Meet the new Chuck!

Ok her name is Java.  She is the only toller in the program and came in for her final training a month ago.

Java is going to be staying with us for a few weeks.  She doesn't seem to know much besides sit and down and progress has been painfully slow this last month at the facility.  It's hard to motivate her when she spits out half of the treats and doesn't want to play tug of war or fetch.  So she has come home with me for a little bootcamp!  My plan is for a lot of attention work and hopefully to get at least a retrieve and tug on her.  I am hoping that being in a home environment and "competing" with Lance and Vito for training time will help motivate her.

Goodbye Chuck!  Since 4 dogs, 5 ferrets, and a cat don't fit in the rented basement Chuck had to go.  No worries, he'll be back!  He is with a short term foster family right now and fingers crossed he is being a good boy :) 

Back to Java.

The introduction has been so smooth with my 2 boys and the cat!  It's amazing how calm and relaxing their intro has been.  No pouting at all and barely any angry faces!  Vito seems to just get her and the two are content to lay down and have a good chew a few feet away from each other.

No one has played with each other yet but Lance has tried!  What has not gone smooth is the introduction of Java to the ferrets.  So far she hasn't been here when the ferrets have had their playtime and has only seen them through the cage or in our hand.  She sniffs nicely and doesn't act like she wants to hurt them, but man is she obsessed!  We had to make a barricade shutting her out from the ferret cage as she just is toller crazy!  Whining, pacing, and dancing around their cage constantly if we let her!  It's her 2nd night and she's finally starting to calm down and not check at the barrier every 10minutes.  Fingers crossed that she learns to chill and is good with the little guys, otherwise this plan is going to have to be aborted.

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