Alright, I’m ALMOST caught up on all the work I had to do (it would make sense that about 4 days sick would result in a 4 day back-log). Still not enough time for a proper post but a quick update on the little monster.
I am struggling to teach Chase his name. Who wudda’ thunk?! I do not think he has ever learned to value human speech so he just doesn’t acknowledge it. He’s learned hand signals for sit, down, and hand target but his name has been eluding him. Although tonight we had some minor progress… he’s been wagging his tail when he hears his name so I think we are starting to get somewhere with that training. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I also just started adding the word to ‘sit’ and ‘touch’.
I’ve learned that he really likes to use the flirt pole… though he hasn’t grasped the concept of using his mouth to catch the toy. He insists on using his feet… it’s incredibly funny to watch him!
Yesterday he graduated to having a crate in the living room with us so he’s spending more and more time included in the action, even though he’s still crated. He’s spending more time out of the crate learning to settle and he really does as long as he has a ball or toy to chew.
AHHH totally forgot to save the updated version after I scheduled the post!! LOL! So I’ll get to the point…
Yesterday I made Chase’s neuter appointment to get his dangly-bits removed! YAY! Him having his dangly bits has actually been a challenge to getting him acclimated to the house because Bandit has seemed really uncomfortable around him. Bandit had almost no issues when introducing Dexter but it’s been a week of him obsessively trying to hump Chase all the time which has obviously created some tension. I’ve done some work and made some improvements but tensions are still high so I’m interested to see if things change by after Chase gets neutered once hormones level out and such. PLUS once he’s neutered he’ll be ready to go to his new home whenever that home presents itself!
Yay for dangly bit removal! And congratulations on your success in training so far. He looks like such a doll and he must be hilarious to work with. When I read posts like these, I long to get another dog so I can’t start at the beginning again. Shiva already knows all the easy tricks and the harder ones have been just a little too challenging for my brain! 😛