My Dog Diary

Darl has been complaining that I haven’t been following the Cesar Millan’s way to walk Xiao Bi for the past few days. He said I was too soft in terms of controlling her. Hello! She is huge for me ok… -.-

Anyway, I went walking Xiao Bi this evening myself. I walked her the way I want her to listen to me, and I think it went pretty well. She sat instantly when we met a small dog on the way back and I asked her to sit. She didn’t struggle to go to the dog. She followed when I walked, and she stopped when I stopped. Although yes at times she tried to sniff further than I allowed but she came back immediately once I pulled the leash. No struggling and pulling from her. It could just be one of the best walks that I’ve had with her so far.

Before we returned, I practiced with her in front of the house, walking round and round, again and again. She followed with no question asked. When I turned, she turned. When I stopped, she stopped. It was just so perfect!

I wouldn’t say that she is not 100% rehabilitated, but I would give a score of, say, 70%-80%. She is just so extra sweet now, that I believe very soon she will no longer be referred as my forever-rebellious GR.

After watching several episodes of the Dog Whisperer, we have been practicing the idea and exercise on Xiao Bi for the past one week. Believe it or not, it has been working really, really, really well!

Today marked my first walk with Xiao Bi with no pulling and trying to fight attitude from her. It was a peaceful walk, with her walking and following by my side. I wasn’t able to take control two days ago and darl was the one who walked her. But I guess she had picked up the calm, submissive behavior and when I walked her today, she was just… so different with the Xiao Bi that I used to know! lol.

I felt so good after walking her this evening. She was calm, adorable… goodness! I still can’t believe that this is happening to my GR whom I thought will always be rebellious!

It’s not only the method of training that matters. It was about dog psychology. As soon as we understand the ‘why’, we’ll understand the ‘how’. It was that simple!

Last Saturday must be one of Xiao Bi’s happiest day so far. Firstly, DARL took her out for a walk early in the morning. Secondly, it has been a while since the last time we brought Xiao Bi to the beach. Finally this Saturday DARL was on leave and finally he agreed to bring her to the beach again.

We prepared and left for the place at around 4:30PM. Xiao Bi was very clever this time that she hopped into the car on her own.

Upon arriving at the beach, we saw a Golden Retriever jogging along the beach with a Japanese gentleman and a few kids. Not sure if it was a he or a she, I think it’s a she, and oh she looks so beautiful. Xiao Bi as usual was too excited to see new friends and DARL certainly had a hard time trying to pull her back.

The GR with the Japanese. She had a darker coat compared to Xiao Bi.

We found ourselves a good spot to place our stuffs. DARL then brought Xiao Bi to test the water.

Testing, testing…

(more…)

I have been teaching Xiao Bi to understand ’shake hand’ for a few weeks, using clicker. Well not exactly a few weeks, I wasn’t consistent enough to do it everyday due to my uncertain working schedule.

This afternoon when I was training her with the clicker again, she seemed to be calmer than usual. Then I thought, maybe I shouldn’t always show her how to raise her hand by helping her to raise it. Maybe I should just say ‘hand’ and touch it. So I tried and it worked!

And the best part is, she now recognise clicker as a sign of reinforcement on her good attitude. Every time she hears the ‘click’ she gets her favourite treats. That will make my life training her so much easier.

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Having said that, she is now barking at nonsense again. She just likes to bark at anything. Birds, cats, passerby, you name it. -.-