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New Akbash puppy
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<blockquote data-quote="Lannie" data-source="post: 1718675" data-attributes="member: 8202"><p>Five days now (I think) without Maggie even molesting a chicken. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> I also discovered something interesting. She's been dragging empty feed bags (we use them over and over when we go get chicken feed, so there's a pile of empties) and the odd empty plant pot or plastic tray from the garage, and toting them out to her favorite "play" spot in the Commons. I had been scolding her for that (just a verbal, "NO, Maggie!) and putting them back, but then it occurred to me that I'd rather have her molest an empty bag than a live chicken, so instead of scolding her, I just hit the tone button on the collar remote if I see she has another bag, or pot, or whatever. She looks up, looks all around, and then walks toward the house.</p><p></p><p>The first time I saw her do that, I went out the door, she saw me and started running toward me, and when she got to me and sat down, I treated her with a piece of cookie. Now when she's doing something I don't necessarily want her to do, or if she looks bored, like she's looking for trouble <wink>, I'll beep her and she comes to the house and I ruffle her hair and tell her what a good girl she is. It only took one beep and now she comes every time, which is amazing. Sometimes she gets a cookie, but not every time (she's already a cookie-monster, don't want to make it worse).</p><p></p><p>She won't be wearing this collar her whole life, but during her mischievous phase, the beep seems to be working to change her focus, and the range on this thing is great. I can beep her when she's all the way up the hill, catty-corner on the property from the house. She comes back to the house every time.</p><p></p><p>Sometimes she's playing with a piece of tree bark, or a stick, or a feather (WHY doesn't she play with all those expensive toys we got her?), and that seems to fulfill her need to "play," but she's been leaving the chickens alone. She's also been spending a LOT of time playing with Old Mr. Grump (Jasper) lately, and he's actually looking like he enjoys it. That goes a long way to satisfying her play requirements. I realize it's only 5 days, but FIVE DAYS! For Maggie, that's a long time to not be rousting the poultry! I think she's doing very well, considering her age.</p><p></p><p>Which brings me to my mistake. She's very smart, and learns fast, and I was forgetting just how young she still is. She's not even 5 months old yet. It's been a long time since I had a puppy... I was vibrating her when she had a feed bag or something from the potting table, and then one day I thought, SHE'S A PUPPY, what the hell do I expect? As long as she's not torturing chickens... I mean, it's a BAG. She can play with the damn bag if she wants, we can get another one if she puts holes in it. Her brain will grow up and she'll forget about playing with bags, so why not let her have some fun while she's still young enough to enjoy it, right?</p><p></p><p>I still check on her frequently out the window, but she's been good, and I'm a <em>lot</em> happier with her behavior now.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lannie, post: 1718675, member: 8202"] Five days now (I think) without Maggie even molesting a chicken. :) I also discovered something interesting. She's been dragging empty feed bags (we use them over and over when we go get chicken feed, so there's a pile of empties) and the odd empty plant pot or plastic tray from the garage, and toting them out to her favorite "play" spot in the Commons. I had been scolding her for that (just a verbal, "NO, Maggie!) and putting them back, but then it occurred to me that I'd rather have her molest an empty bag than a live chicken, so instead of scolding her, I just hit the tone button on the collar remote if I see she has another bag, or pot, or whatever. She looks up, looks all around, and then walks toward the house. The first time I saw her do that, I went out the door, she saw me and started running toward me, and when she got to me and sat down, I treated her with a piece of cookie. Now when she's doing something I don't necessarily want her to do, or if she looks bored, like she's looking for trouble <wink>, I'll beep her and she comes to the house and I ruffle her hair and tell her what a good girl she is. It only took one beep and now she comes every time, which is amazing. Sometimes she gets a cookie, but not every time (she's already a cookie-monster, don't want to make it worse). She won't be wearing this collar her whole life, but during her mischievous phase, the beep seems to be working to change her focus, and the range on this thing is great. I can beep her when she's all the way up the hill, catty-corner on the property from the house. She comes back to the house every time. Sometimes she's playing with a piece of tree bark, or a stick, or a feather (WHY doesn't she play with all those expensive toys we got her?), and that seems to fulfill her need to "play," but she's been leaving the chickens alone. She's also been spending a LOT of time playing with Old Mr. Grump (Jasper) lately, and he's actually looking like he enjoys it. That goes a long way to satisfying her play requirements. I realize it's only 5 days, but FIVE DAYS! For Maggie, that's a long time to not be rousting the poultry! I think she's doing very well, considering her age. Which brings me to my mistake. She's very smart, and learns fast, and I was forgetting just how young she still is. She's not even 5 months old yet. It's been a long time since I had a puppy... I was vibrating her when she had a feed bag or something from the potting table, and then one day I thought, SHE'S A PUPPY, what the hell do I expect? As long as she's not torturing chickens... I mean, it's a BAG. She can play with the damn bag if she wants, we can get another one if she puts holes in it. Her brain will grow up and she'll forget about playing with bags, so why not let her have some fun while she's still young enough to enjoy it, right? I still check on her frequently out the window, but she's been good, and I'm a [I]lot[/I] happier with her behavior now. [/QUOTE]
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