Thursday, February 16, 2012

Progress

Peaches still wants to kill Toby 100% of the time.  But we are getting better. Porkchop and Wilbur are getting better at accommodating their sister. I've been able to gate her off with them in the family room, while Toby and I hang out in the kitchen. The rooms are joined together but I put a baby gate between the couches and that keeps them contained! Of course they'd prefer me in there with them but at least Peach isn't leashed and can run around and wrestle. 

Peaches herself is being a good girl too. She listens so much better on that leash. She will sit with healing now fairly consistently and when we take her out we have to go through two sets of doors in our sun room to get to the yard and she has definitely shown some extinction of behavior when going outside. Before she would almost go THROUGH the doors. Now we make her wait for the command and she will sit. She is still impatient and will try to bolt a few times (we like to make her wait some time... ) but when before it'd be 20 times she tries 2-3 times and always looks at me for the "lets go... " which I find reassuring that she's looking to me for guidance. 

Unfortunately one thing we were talking about is the possibility of Toby going to live with my mom and sisters. He loves them so much. He grew up in that house. He's very familiar and loves it there. I know he'd miss me. He's glued to my side 100% of the time now. But he would be surrounded by people who love him too. This would allow us to work with Peaches more. We can't take her away from the group because Toby will lead them in a barking frenzy. 
I don't know if I mentioned this but last week I tried to leave Toby downstairs while I took Peach upstairs to nap after work. Toby barked, non stop, for two hours. I couldn't take it anymore. Jer went downstairs after this shower and thank god because I wouldn't have gotten ANY sleep!! I think training Toby would be harder than training Peaches. Toby doesn't care. He isn't motivated by much. He doesn't care what you think of him. He doesn't pride himself on being smart. He is all about #1- himself. He doesn't come when called, he doesn't kiss your ass, he doesn't try to impress you... he is like a cat. He wants what he wants and when you don't give it to him he will press the issue till you do. 

Maybe without him in the house we will be able to unspoil Peaches some more. We would definitely be able to work with her on a one to one basis more than we are now. 

Time to brag about the love of my life now... Porkchop! That dog kills me.... he is learning by association. I watch Jer working with Peaches on her leash and Porkchop is walking behind them. Sitting when Jer stops with Peaches and moving when he starts moving. He sits and waits at the door like a champ. He is precious. It's nice because there is NO way I'd be able to teach Peaches these behaviors without having her on a leash. But Porkchop is learning without the leash! This is why he's my dream dog. I just need to work on his jumping on people now. That'd make him PERFECT :)

I feel bad leaving Wilbur out of the post. Wilbur is consistent. He's just a good dog. He does what is asked and needed. He continues to be a great playmate for Peaches. He continues to my trusty companion and he is what having a dog is all about. Just a great little friend. I could never say anything negative about my Wilbur. He can do no wrong. 


1 comment:

  1. You are doing such a good job, and I am impressed by how honest with yourself you are being!

    ReplyDelete