Dante has an obsession with grass. He loses all the sense he has whenever he steps foot on it (or, for that matter, sees it). The last two weeks he has gotten really bad. I am having a hard time figuring out what to do with this. On one hand he is a puppy and needs lots of play time to get his "crazies" out; but on the other hand, I can't have him eating everything he comes across and playing "catch me if you can."
I have tried letting him out for a longer amount of time (20-30 minutes), to see if he would calm down, but he never does. I hate to keep correcting him and digging in his mouth when it's supposed to be his play time. For the last week I have only been letting him out for 5 minutes at a time, four or so times a day, in hopes that it will keep him from getting too crazy, but I'm still not seeing any progress. Sometimes I wonder if he is ever going to be able to go off-leash in the back yard.
This is the reason I have almost no pictures of him outside. The above picture is the only on I have of him sitting still, and if you look closely, he has a "foreign object" in his mouth, that I didn't even notice until after I saw this picture. Most of my attempted photo-shoots turn out like this:
I try to not get frustrated with him, but when all I want is to play with him, it's hard to remind myself that he is still learning and needs time before it will "click" in his mind.
I have decided I am going to try taking him out after a long walk and when he's really tired. Maybe it will help if I don't take him out when he's full of energy. But, we'll see how it goes...
Hey Hannah - too cute - you are doing an amazing job, and Dante is getting SO big, so quickly. I love looking at all the photos you post.
ReplyDeleteRe: the grass issue. Just a thought, but most service dogs will have "work" time, and an "off duty" time. And usually they are taught that when harness/vest/cape is meant to show them its "work" time, and things like going nuts on the grass are not appropriate at that time. But when they are not on "work" time, its perfectly fine to "get the crazies out", as you so aptly said. And maybe he has to mature a little before he can successfully understand "work time" on the grass? Just speculating here, I am 100% sure you guys will figure it out;). Or you could always watch "The Dog Whisperer" to get how to train your dog:>
That makes sense. I'll be more conscious to separate the two. Thanks for your comment, I love to hear thing that I would not have thought of from others experience!
DeleteHannah
I've had many a pups who love to eat grass and to tell you the truth, it's not really that big of a deal at his age. What I would do is just let him release but have a toy he really loves. Give him some no gentle leader/leash time to just have fun. Then you can explain to him later that "no" means no grass. It seems like it could do him some good to just get used to playing and get into that. Try playing a game with him. Let him fully release and then show him a Kong with so peanut butter or treats inside. Then hide it somewhere and instruct him (by showing him) how to "find it". This might satisfy his urge to explore. Another option would be to have a really awesome outside toy. Like a stuffed animal or a canvas chuck it frisbee (my pup Andros and Teva loved this). This way that toy is new and novel. What is really important is that you just let him chill with no gentle leader or leash. It might help to let him relax and do something really exciting and stimulating. The "find it" game is fun and once they get it, they love it. I've found this help, don't worry they grow out of their love for grass. So just kinda ignore it to some degree for now, a little won't hurt him. Just have fun with him and remember he is a baby, that is something it took me 2-3 pups to learn, but it really helps them grow into confident, well behaved, capable dogs.
ReplyDelete-Madison
(3.5x CCI puppy raiser)
I love the idea of a "find it" game and I will definitely try that! Last week I got him a Kong Wubba, and he loves that, and it has become his "outside toy." That has really worked well at keeping him interested.
DeleteI have been keeping him on a 15 or 30 ft. leash all the time because he doesn't have a consistent "here" outside yet, so do you think I should let him off just to have total "exploring" and "worry-free" time?
Thanks for your reply, I am always so glad to get feedback from seasoned raisers!
Hannah
Probably what I would do is simply give him exploring time and just don't tell him to here. He can't disobey if you don't give a command. Just my thought :)
ReplyDeleteOK, I have been trying to only give him commands I know he can do successfully, I mean I know in theory what to do with him, but when you're doing it, it can seem "messy." :-) Thanks!
DeleteI totally know what you mean. It can be hard sometimes. I'd just give it a try and see how it goes for a few days. Puppy raising is all trial and error
ReplyDelete