This morning Cookie looked so bored and unhappy in his crate that I decided to take him for a very short walk.
His walking looked almost normal when he was walking fast. He was really enjoying the walk and wanted to walk more. He was so determined to go across a busy road in front of our house that I had to pick him up and bring him back home in my arms!
As Cookie was not allowed to walk outside for the last couple of weeks, Cinnamon had walks alone without Cookie. It though was a great opportunity to do walking obedience training with Cinnamon. She in fact walked very nicely, maybe partly because I was using an Easy Walk Harness on her, although she still couldn't resist putting her nose to the ground sometimes.
She also enjoyed running around with other dogs she met at parks to make up for not being able to play with Cookie at home.
There is something I recently noticed about Cinnamon. I have been trying to train her not to bark at other dogs she meets in her walks. At first I thought she was barking at other dogs from overexcitement, but it seems she is actually barking from fear and anxiety, which she seems to have difficulty in dealing with especially when she is on the lead. When she is off the lead, she is much calmer and barks much less.
I am the same way. I get very nervous when I am on a leash and that makes me bark at other dogs and people because I don't want them to come near me when I am restricted and need to protect momma. I like it when I am free and can manage the situation better.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see Cookie up and about!
Slobbers,
Mango
Do you have access to Leslie McDevitt's Control Unleashed? There are a number of exercises in there that can help with leash reactivity. It is an agility training/behavior modification book, so it'd be right up your alley!
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! Cookie is back walking!
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased to hear this Cookie! I bet you really enjoyed your first walk!
I am a bit like Cinnamon too. I do get a bit worked up on the leash compared to when I'm off-leash. And its because of fear and anxiety too.
Mumma is working hard with me and I am loads better. I don't bark anymore, but I still am not completely calm.
good luck my beagle friends :)
smooches,
Mr Darcy
oh cookie! love your bushy tail (:
ReplyDeleteGood to see Cookie enjoying a bit of freedom! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful walk you all had...
ReplyDeleteBig Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie
Aww I noticed Cookie's wobble. :( I hope he hurries and heals up.
ReplyDeleteCinnamon is doing great on her walking nicely!
I love Beagle faces. Just isn't anything else quite like em.
Oh, Cinnamon walks beautifully! And to be honest, unless they are in a "Heel" - it doesn't matter if they are sniffing the ground or peeing or whatever. We always distinguish between 2 types of walking: "Heel" when the dog has to pay complete attention to us and cannot sniff or pee or anything but this is only done for a short time for training and to pass any distractions (eg. food on the ground or cat in driveway!) - and then "Close" when the dog can sniff & explore and do whatever it likes EXCEPT pull. I think if you use 2 different commands and make it very clear to the dog which type of walking it should be doing, then that will make it easier for the to understand what to do!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that Cookie is finally able to take some short walks! Poor thing! Really hope he recovers completely soon!
Honey is also much more reactive on leash - most dogs are - this is why I generally prefer to have her off-leash, especially if we're in any situation where there are a lot of strange dogs gathered together in a tight space! I agree with you about your analysis of Cinnamon's barking - it is her way of trying to "act tough" and hoping that the threat will go away. Of course, often the other dog or child moves away anyway, not because of her barking but just because they are passing but Cinnamon believes that they moved away because of her barking and that she was successful in using barking to scare them away - so she will do it even more next time! It's important to try not to let her think she is successful and not to let do this behaviour too much as it is self-reinforcing and so will quickly become a bad habit that is very difficult to break!
Maybe you should talk to Max & JD the Mini-Schnauzers? Max also had a very bad problem of barking at any dog he saw (plus any strange things like rubbish trucks) whenever he was out on walks, on leash, but his owner has managed to successfully change his attitude in the last few months. She is very happy with his progress. So maybe it might be helpful for you to talk to her - maybe she would have some helpful tips?
Hsin-Yi