Friday training talk: Any goals or successes to report?

Posted by dogblog

Posted: July 3, 2009 - 10:23 am

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Use this thread to discuss your own training issues: problems, questions, successes, you name it.

Here's mine:

Jillian and Rusty: This happened on its own. I'd forgotten I had set Jillian on the couch, and the next thing I know she was having her way with Rusty. He didn't budge.

With a new Yorkie pup in the house, my life has become one nonstop training session. Every interaction, inside or out, is a learning experience for this blank slate of a canine companion.

The most interesting one to date has been the socialization part. She arrived last Sunday at 11 weeks, sweet and innocent and trusting. The breeder did an exceptional job preparing her. She had lots of other dogs to play with, lots of people to interact with. She arrived fearless but not overly pushy around my other dogs.

After some initial successes introducing her to my pack, a Lab and another Yorkie, I had a big setback when my 5-year-old Yorkie turned on her and attacked. He's not one I trust to teach a puppy manners. He leads with his teeth. Fortunately, she suffered no injuries.

But I was devastated because her sweet, trusting personality changed instantly. She cowered from both the other dogs initially.

The fascinating thing is how it's affected her. She was much better the next day, just more respectful of Eddie's space. She no longer had any problem with the Lab. Then yesterday, a friend visited with two well-mannered Yorkies. The pup initially went into a submissive posture. Terribly so. When the other dogs approached, she'd roll over on her back. She wouldn't approach them too closely.

Again, I was devastated. I thought she'd become fearful of all dogs. But the cool thing was, after she showed them she was no threat and after they accepted it, she opened up. She'd walk up and sniff, try to get them to play. Nothing too pushy, but definitely playful. After 30 minutes, she didn't seem submissive at all. And the other dogs seemed to accept her just fine.

I'm thinking that's not necessarily a bad tactic for a 2-pound dog to have in life, especially her young life. I miss the innocence and trusting nature, but I'm hopeful that she learned something that will help her get by in life as the smallest creature in a land of giants.

I'd be interested in your thoughts.

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