Smartypants

Some training updates: Potty training is not going well, but super low temperatures here in MN have made what is difficult nearly impossible. So I won't talk about that now. I also won't talk about the fact that he is easily startled into barking frenzies by odd noises, especially at night, but also on TV or outside the house. Being woken multiple times throughout the night by a barking dog is not fun!  I am thinking this is due to insecurity, and am hopeful that it will be something we can do something about. These things make me sad about the things he might have gone through in the year(s) before coming to us, and reminds me that he is a puppy mill survivor with mental damage.

When Ozzy arrived, I was worried about him learning commands--he'd never been taught a thing in his life. So, let me give an update on what the little dude has learned already! He knows 'sit' and 'kennel'. And he surprised me this week by putting his little paw on my hand when I said 'shake a paw'! I had been working with him when he was in sit, putting my hand on the floor, palm up, and holding a treat down under my thumb in my palm. I rewarded him if he touched my hand, even by accident, with his paw. The other day, I went to put my hand on the floor and he pawed it before I could set it down! Tried again--same thing! Wow! He does it consistently, and even varies what paw he offers! :)

And...he has 'down' figured out! (Those of you who have a dachshund know that this is challenging since they're already so low and close to the floor.) I had to gently and playfully tip him over a few times. But he is understanding that command, too! Oh, and he's good at standing 'up' onto raised hands. Brett and I try to play 'Ozzy, come!' at least once a night. We sit on opposite ends of a room and reward him for running to each of us. Everything he's learned has been through positive reinforcement.

I've been watching Youtube videos and refreshing myself on the 'marking behavior' technique. I think I'm a slower learner than Ozzy is--I sometimes forget to say 'YES!' the moment he does what I'm asking him to do. (I tried this technique when we first got our doberman, Bella. I never stuck with it...looking back, I think I hadn't found the right high motivation treat for her when we tried it. Definitely going to give it a go again using Chuckit balls--her favorite things in the world...) So we are all learning and re-learning here.

I'm worried that Ozzy will be a plump little sausage with all the treats he's getting! But the running back and forth, and hopefully warmer temperatures for some walks soon will be helpful. And by then, he'll have trust and know about rewards. I've still yet to find the "it" thing to motivate him besides food...Today as we worked and learned together, I didn't have it in my head that he is a fragile puppy mill dog. He is learning so well, it's easy to forget. It's a complete joy to watch him learn to be a dog.

Learning is tough work! It tires a guy right out! :)