I was thinking earlier today, yesterday's blog post may have implied we did 'nothing' with Custer's training. This was not quite the case. Although I did sort of give up on his ever being any different we did not give up trying altogether.
In September last year my husband was out of work. He used this time to take Custer out every day on the beach with several balls and teach him to 'focus' on playing ball and staying with him. This is a vast improvement on what we had. It took 3 months of repeating each day but now Custer does love to play ball and is pretty well focused on us when we do this.
The down side of course is we do NOT live in an ideal world and many other dog walkers think all dogs should socialise with each other, they have no idea that not ALL dogs wish too (or indeed owners). Custer will now not go out his way to any other dog or person, however if the other owner (despite our being in the middle of nowhere in our own space, minding our OWN BUSINESS) insists on allowing their dog to run up to him it often will not end well, involves our having to put our dogs back on the lead and have our shoulder blades renched out of our arm until the owner 'might' decide to call their dog away. When I am out on my own now I muzzle Custer as soon as I see another dog, I know he wont bite the other dog but the noise he makes and the state he gets himself into by my using the muzzle I have more confidence and sometimes it just 'might' keep the other owner away. Again, I am out at 8am in the middle of nowhere trying hard to train my reactive dog in peace, but again the other dog walker will insist that my dog MUST socialise with theirs? I often wonder if they themselves are the same with other people?
I was in the park last week with Rhubarb (my new rescue Staffie) and Bailey (the retriever above). I had them both on leads as I had only had Rhubarb a week and not too sure how she would react with other dogs, and Bailey as he can be a bit 'over amorous' if allowed to be (which I do not let him). At least four times I avoided a man with two french bulldogs off lead by turning direction, as I know these dogs just charge at others into their faces - I watched as a man entered the park with the largest husky I had ever seen and a little Staffie, the bulldogs hurtled straight up to the other dogs at full tilt, how on earth the poor man stayed stood up I dont know as he dogs reacted in fear and defence at two rude lunatics running up to their faces! The owner of the bulldogs was very cross with the man with the dogs on leads? as he could see no wrong in his own dogs actions? Again I am left wondering what he thinks I would do if he rushed up to my face and forced himself on me, or should that be okay too? why should it be for dogs on leads?
Does seem we are the minority with this opinion though.
I can but dream of an ideal world were other dog walkers might leave me in peace. Meanwhile I keep walking early, and I have just invested in a bright yellow vest from 'yellowdog.co.uk' which says 'Rescue Dog, please give space' on both sides, wonder if it will work any better?
Wow, can you believe a whole year nearly since I last posted! Yes he is still here, and no he is not any better. But we do now have a new addition in the form of a little rescue Staffie girl now called Rhubarb.
There are people (I Know) who think this was a very bad idea, but I like to think of someone I once knew with a dog far worse than Custer who adopted a new puppy.. I thought this was the most stupid thing ever, but it worked very well, the dog in question is now fine and no longer attacks anything, when he used to be the scurge of our walk. So, it will work or it wont but so far its going very well.
One of the reasons for lack of blog posts was I just gave up, I could not help Custer's behavoir and nobody wanted to help us try. Dont get me wrong, in the house he is a dream - its just the 'walkies' thing.
Last week, whilst still reading up on Staffie info I registered with a facebook group 'Reactive Dogs' this could well be one of the best things I did, they recommended some reading and I ordered some book, I have only read up to chapter 2 and took Custer out today with a different frame of mind, so far so good. yes it would be really good to have some help........but this is not going to happen, so like many things in life we are on our own so time to try again. This is easier too as Custer is a different dog at home, he is so chilled and well behaved I have 'even' left him out of crate a few times with no problems (mind you, I did take my camera from the room). Today I was back to teaching 'watch me' which he did perfectly.
One thing I have learnt from this, is you need to be in a 'good frame of mind' yourself to be able to do it, if you are tired forget it. I had a good nights rest for once last night, so dog training was a whole lot easier. Just as well as after 'reactive dog training' with Custer it was time for the first recall lesson with Rhubarb.
Not too difficult as she is in love with treats!
Lets hope I do better with both training and blogging now - time to take Rhubarb for a wizz round the block, I have found keeping her tired keeps more peace in the household. After two weeks things are now calming down a bit. Wasnt the boys, it was our new little girl who was so unsettled they were both great. Here is Custer now learning to love Dolly's too.
Its quite a while since I took the camera out on a dog walk, but we only had Custer and Jaja today and there was two of us so I gave it a go. Here he is doing a 'very' rare recall, but then there wasn't anyone else about so he might as well. I would like to say there was some improvement 3 (or is it 4) weeks into the CSJ calm herbs but I really do not think there is, I cannot recall ANY evidence of calm behavoir at all. I even tried some A.Vogel flower essence on advice of a friend, they dont work either. We have made another friend on our morning walk though, another rare soul who is brave enough to walk with us, and her dog a Springer Spaniel called Alfie, who takes no notice of Custer at all so is a nice calming influence.
Back to today... here is another photo of Custer 'attempting' a fairly 'bright' look, this does not happen so often. It was a good walk in all fairness, we went to the beach and it was just full of folk, so we put the dogs back in the car and went elsewhere for a quiet walk. We only saw two lots of people, one with small dogs that Custer is fine with, and the other we managed to hold his attention with the ball so all was well. Would have been a good walk all round accept at the end when he point blankly refused to come back, not for another ball, chicken, cheese, ham.......NOTHING, so we were out quite sometime. "Daddy" is much braver than I you see, I do not let him off lead now without him being on a long line I can stamp on! so I do not have the problem, and he is back on lead as soon as I am near others.
Jaja had a great time too, this is him having abandoned the ball he got first and Custer now trying to find it. Hard to believe our Lurcher Puppy is to be 11 this year, nobody tells him that though, he can run around with Custer (who is 2 at the end of February) with great ease.
Wonder if Custer will show any signs of calmer behavoir when he gets to 2? I have a bad feeling it is more likely to be 4 year old though......
Whoops, after such good intentions to keep up with this blog, life went and got in the way I'm afraid...
Anyway, time for a Custer update!!! He is still here..........
Above is Custer on his new bed, very nice double duvet with paisley cover from charity shop. This was to replace his CRATE!! Yes, we got brave and finally after nearly six months we took it down, it was big enough to take over most of the room and we had hoped it would not be for quite so long. So far (5 days in) its going okay. Custer does have a habit of stealing his Daddy's shoes to sleep with whilst I am out with Jaja, but he isnt chewing them, and (so far) has not stolen anything else. When I leave him with Jaja (again, so far) he does nothing.
The walking thing is still a bit up and down. Each 'down' has a bad effect on my confidence though so does tend to set us back somewhat, which is not good for either of us. Our 'downs' are his reaction to submissive dogs, he will dominate and is rather noisy about it.. now I know it is NOT aggression, Custer is NOT an aggressive dog - this was proved when we were set on by a stray and I had Custer behind me and submitting. Problem is of course the other owner does not know this, and despite the fact I am never so far away, and do step in immediatly I still get 'what for' over it.
We have made some progress this week though, Custer has a new friend - a flatcoated retriever called 'Sam' I hope to get some pics one day to show you. Sam told Custer off twice for his dominant behavoir and now all is well, they get on great - also after initial fear Custer is now good with Sam's owner too.
Today I had a meeting with a dog walker I have known a few years on passing, she is rather experienced and despite having heard about Custer until today we had not met with her dog 'Scout' - this was an interesting meeting as she had already told me not to worry as Scout could handle unruly dogs and there would be no problem, Custer immediatly went to dominate Scout who totally ignored him and calmly removed himself, this was quite fascinating for us to watch. Apparently if the dog in question (being Custer) is not aggressive Scout will try reassure him, they too ended up playing well with Scout only 'telling him' about playing too rough.
So, at nearly 6 months in - there is such 'slow' progress going on - it really is not easy by any means, BUT there are days when it goes well, before hand there was not any days that went well.
Oh I forgot, I have now got Custer to enjoy playing ball - he just went through the motions before, now he loves it, I can even get him to ignore 'some' dogs when we play, often he does not bother with smaller dogs at all.
We still do evening walks for them both, his lead walking for Daddy is fantastic - long way from that first day, and he walks on just a collar and lead for him, I still have a double sided harness as due to the damage he caused to my right arm I cannot hold him in that now.
I try to walk away from as many dogs as I can and if I do not know the dog I will change direction, or walk in a lot of mud to avoid any trouble - just work with the dogs I know - rightly or wrongly this works for me, but if I dog runs to us - I will let go, if its a confident dog with a dog savvy owner all is well.
I think thats all for this time's update - better not make anymore promises about my next one.
Today's pictures have no connection to the topic at all, they were taken last week while OH was off and we took the dogs to the beach each morning.
Alas, once he went back to work I then returned to my routine of taking Bailey (above with Custer) and Jaja (below) to the beach first thing, and then Custer to the park.
I 'was' enjoying my park walkies, often it was so quiet I had a chance to do some training with Custer without distraction, but then somehow we got walking with others. Must admit alarm bells did start to go off, I should know by past experience that daily walking with others rarely ends well, as everyone has their own opinion on how to (if at all) train dogs. Often you can end up walking with someone who has the most lovely timid dog, who is always good with other dogs.. and an owner who simply 'assumes' your dog to be the same. This scenario is fine, until the other owner then decides your dog does not need correcting or keeping in line? as of course, the brief hour or so they spend with you gives them all the information they need to form a judgement.
(yes, this has happened to me before with my last dog too)
So, after 3 days this started to happen.. instead of leaving the walk (which I should have done) Custer was enjoying playing with the ball and other dogs, so I did and said nothing (anything for a quiet life) but Custer was becoming a bit on the unruly side, which is fine for a dog who is submissive and good with other dogs, but NOT for a dog like Custer...
I should have taken more notice of the 'tuts' and grumbles when I did correct him - why people find the need to do this I dont know, if they dont like the way I train my dog, dont walk with me.
Sure enough disaster was waiting... along came a small breed puppy, now I knew this was not going to be good with Custer, he will either try to dominate or play, neither of which is good with a very large Labrador and a small puppy. I grabbed the line he was on and told him to leave, owner and puppy headed straight for us, the chap with us announces to the now apprehensive puppy owner 'Its okay, he's fine with other dogs'?? erm.... excuse me? he knew this how? after a couple of meetings? so he let the puppy off lead, headed straight for Custer who of course then lunged at it........... due to the line he was on, total disaster was averted, BUT this could have been worse. The other walkers did not even see a problem with this incident? They did not seem to realise what could have happened.
Very upset by this I was ready to leave by the next exit anyway, and was realising that I had lost control of my own dog (again).. when worse was 'almost' to come.. along came some more walkers with two very very LARGE dogs, one of which was a new rescue dog. Now, this time I knew exactly what would happen, they headed straight for us.. this would have been total disaster and one of the dogs would certainly have been hurt.
This time I took charge, leaded Custer up and marched out of the nearby exit, leaving the other walkers still appearing to see no problem at all?
Is it just me? are other dog owners totally unaware? can they just not read other dogs? or is it simply people who feel the need to take charge of a situation they know nothing about, making it ignorance.
The annoying thing is the same people are in the park at the same time every day, it is not a large park so I simply cannot avoid them. I cannot go earlier as I take the other two out, and later there is another set of walkers who have been there on the park since time began, and I know their dogs are certainly not suitable for Custer to upset.
So, today I came back from walkies number one in the car, put Custer in the car and took him to the beach too - I thought it would be as quiet as earlier, I got that one wrong - of 3 directions to walk in all 3 of them were full of dogs, owners and children. So, I picked the quieter of the three routes and went for it. As it happened Custer did very well, was easily distracted from the one dog we came into contact with, I only let go of his line once so he could play in some water, but that was fine. Hopefully I will get back control again, and one day we can mix with others....... but not on a daily basis. The beach is good, seems most people there are happy to walk with their dogs on their own, and do not see the need to interfere with others. Also when the weather gets better (which is worse to most people) that cuts down the walkers, especially on the beach as it gets a bit muddy and folk dont like that.
One day I might be able to walk them all together that would be good, and a lot easier for me. BUT, Bailey although a lovely boy, does have his dominance moments and does have to be watched with other dogs, he is very friendly but will take up an opportunity to dominate given the chance and with him being so large too, I do not feel I can manage both him and Custer just yet. Especially as they are still competing a bit, see they look like little angels above dont they? but Custer wont let Bailey in the car without a song and dance each time, and that's with OH to yell at them - not something I want to deal with, especially not whilst driving.
Jaja is no problem at all at any time - but, he was adopted by us as a puppy born into rescue, we took him at 14 weeks with no baggage to sort out at all. All I have to watch out for are rabbits, but he can be called off them, which is very impressive for a Lurcher.
Walks have been a bit different for a few days as we have had 'Daddy' at home. So, as there are two of us Custer has been coming to the beach with Jaja and Bailey early mornings, then late evening walkies in the park. Not as much training as he was having with me, but we are 'trying' to work on his recall and socialisation. This week he met up with some pups I have known since they were tiny, they used to play with my Alfie too. Here is the very handsome 'Fella'
Fella, and his sister 'Tilly' are littermates, they are Irish Setter x Collie, not a mix you would choose I know but these are the most adorable well behaved pair, and belong to the one lady. Here is Tilly with Custer and Jaja, it was a warm night so after a quick game of ball they were quite tired
It was so good to see Custer making friends, him and Fella did have a bit of a grump at each other to start with, but as their owner is happy to let them work things out all was well in no time, they had a great evening together.
There is still a lot to learn about Custer. Today's puppy class was another learning curve for us all, Arthur is very tuned in with the dogs and has pointed out how much fear Custer has, and how hard it is to train him because of this. We 'may' have finally found a focus though, seems Custer is very interested in the gundog 'dummy' so we have ordered a few - had to be a 'few' as he wont give it back, so that needs some work this week. We have always believed in being able to get anything off our dogs, so far with Custer we have, but the 'dummy' he refuses to part with - needs work, so as soon as they arrive we will be working on improved 'retrieve' he was getting there with the ball quite well, so should be ok.
As I mentioned in another entry, one of the ways we used to teach Custer to stop 'dropping' in the driveway and wanting to go in the car, was to lead walk him to the park in the evening (had to be evenings when hubby was here to heave him off the floor). To enjoy walks we took some toys too, now this is a first for Jaja, we have loads of photo's of our old Labradors playing with tuggies, occasionally Jaja would grab one end briefly, but he has never played like this. So good to see them play together.
As you see, being the boss and the tallest Jaja does tend to win the game most of the time, although Custer is younger and a lot stronger he is also very respectful to Jaja.
It was this day we then met up with one of the dog walkers with a few dogs and Custer had a great play with a big chocolate Labrador, this was our first time playing in the park with him, and it went very well.
See how Jaja likes to remind him who is boss? Not bad from a pup who was for ten years bottom of the pack.
So, yesterday Custer and I got to the park on our own which was fabulous - our second successful outing, during which we met another dog walker 'Jo' from Power Paws she had a few dogs with her, and 3 lovely German Shepherds who were very good to Custer who had a great time with them.
Last night was dog club night, and went very well. Okay, Custer is by no means perfect but at least he can join in now and is much calmer, he is still reactive to the hyper dogs I'm afraid, but hopefully will get calmer in time. Hubby was very pleased with how he did.
This morning we had another great walk on the park, met up with 'Jo' from Power Paws again, today she had a German Shepherd called Ruby who Custer loved to play with, they had a great time, played some ball, not much as its a hot one today. I also ran into a lady I met at the fund raiser when we had just adopted Custer, she was amazed at his progress, we chatted for a while - best bit was during this chat were was Custer? laid down by my feet!! I was so pleased, I did have to check him from bothering other dogs, but only gently and he stayed with me. He is still on a long line as I dont have that total trust just yet, and the park as too many exits to roads, so need to be able to stop him if necessary, only had to do that once though, and that was due to him bothering a dog who did not want to be bothered.
He has also taken a telling off from a little dog today - doing well with the little ones, more dogs are starting to see him as the big harmless lump that he is, which is great.
I did 'of course' forget the camera (again) must try do better at that. Do wish it was cooler though, its so hot for them all, even my first early walk with Jaja and Bailey on the beach was too hot for us all. Will be another park walkies tonight and in the morning.
Saturday we are planning our first trip with them all in one car, going to the beach - should be interesting.
For the last few weeks, THIS is what happened for my morning walkies. If he had fingers we know what he would be doing with them! This is Custer saying 'if I am not going in the car, I am NOT going'
I told him yesterday I would take these photo's add them to his blog and show everyone just how Silly he is. As you can see, no way would he move...
This is Custer on the long line whilst I went and sat in the hall. I could drag him in, but what would be the point of that? Eventually he would come in himself and I just calmly took off his lead and harness and carried on with my stuff and ignored him...
Guess what?? Today, he came with me to the park!!!! hurray, victory was mine, happy dance to the park and around the house when I got back. No idea what changed, but we did it - not really any playmates just the one, the dog was fine to play but the owner didnt like it so I had to turn around with Custer, but we did a whole walk round the park and back home, hurray!!!!!!!
I think its still about those choices, he needs to make the choice himself. Hopefully we will find some friends to play with on the park so he can enjoy it more, still a bit hot though - in time.. when it gets cooler, and the good ol' golf tournament has finished, we can go back to my regular walk all together, cant wait - be great to do just the one walk with them all, be even better when the weather cools down a bit.
Yes, I know - sorry about the strangely attired woman at the end of the lead - Its a hot day, all I thought of was how to keep the sun off me, not what I would actually look like! Here is Custer looking like a well behaved boy no? Well, actually no he was not, he had hurled himself to the floor and refused to move, this is how he stayed for the first 15 minutes. Then our trainer for the day (who was Nick, as Arthur was away) got out the tennis balls...
Looking good, he is sat up now and all is well... or not! "Next, throw the ball" he says, so I throw the ball and off he goes, to the shaded area with said ball. As its a gundog class, you do not take the ball from the dog, he has to give it up......... that was a long wait.
After that, Custer did actually manage some lead walking - I wont say heel work as it most certainly was not that. Then, it was time to practice recall........nobody thought this would be possible, but it seems left with the alternative of me or a stranger Custer did actually prefer me as an option, even 'Daddy' didnt think it would happen, as he had the camera poised for Custer disappearing into the distance, but no.. this was a run back to me!
Last night we took them to our local park, 'Daddy' is practicing taking Custer out without the car, as he now will NOT walk with me in a morning as he wants to get in the car, so we are trying to teach him lead walks are fun too. I took some great pics of him playing with Jaja, which is a first for them both - sadly was just too amazed to take photo's later on when he played with a very large Chocolate Labrador as bolchy as him, very rough playing but they both had a great time.
Needless to say we have not been out today as yet, I took photo's of Custer laid in the drive refusing to move.. so you will get to see those soon too.
Its off to the park again soon...........
Its Saturday today, when normal folk take it easy and perhaps enjoy a lay in after the weeks early mornings. Not when you have dogs though, its very hot and threatening to be the hottest day yet - its up early and get them out. Despite being early it was still too hot for Jaja..
..and Bailey, who I also walk each day (Bailey is not my dog, he belongs to a friend). The photo did not do this justice, but before this point Bailey had been in the ditch and rolled in all the mud, amazing though he arrived home clean (ish)
The 'second' best bit about today's walk, was Custer did plenty of socialising with some new pals - at one time we were not sure this was ever going to happen, here they are all cooling off in the stream..
Custer is good with the smaller dogs too , this is little Ben - he likes people more and was looking to me to see if I had any biccies, we see Ben often on my other walk its my friend Sylvia that gives him Biccies, he thought it might be me..
This little chap was a lot of fun, he arrived with more mud on him that Bailey having visited the same ditch on the way, and was only too happy to find a pal to run around with..
But, the very best thing about today's walkies was Custer is 'FINALLY' learning recall, this was the first time he came back from playing with some dogs he ran off with, then he did it every time on the way back - Okay it might not be 100% yet, and still needs a lot of work, but having just celebrated (I think) our 8th week with Custer we are very impressed, its a start. This is Custer running back to me after I called him..
He does still need an awful lot or work, he is in dog years a teenager, so being very stroppy on occasions.. like if I want to take him out without the car he will not budge, just throws himself at the floor in the driveway and I cant move him, have to tie him to a long line and go inside. So, that one needs work which is a shame as the rest of the time he is pretty good.
Now he has had a good walk later on this evening we plan to just lead walk them to the park and around there, another first for Custer. Tomorrow is puppy class, but looking like another hot day so maybe not doing so much again.
So pleased with yesterday mornings walk we had another go last night, but this time brought the camera. As you can see we do appear to have a far happier dog. Although even after 8pm last night it was not much cooler for them (or us). Above is Custer actually doing a recall, does not really happen so often, he comes back but not close enough, though at least he is staying with us so thats a start.
Here they are playing a bit of ball around the water, Jaja is faster of course..
As I said in yesterday's blog entry, Custer was a changed dog - this we believe is in part down to us with a greater understanding of him, some of it might be his starting to settle down too. Now today was another lesson, OH had gone back to work so it was all down to me. I took the other dogs out first and came back for Custer's turn as I have been doing, now... usually we then have a battle royal to get the harness and head collar on, but I had left the car open ready to put him in and take him to the beach. However, Custer decided he does not like my walks, likes his Daddies much better, I got his collar on, and he then went back to his crate and lay on his back...
Now, I could have forced him to do as he was told, but from our latest discoveries decided against it, it was very hot anyway (still only just after 9am) so I went out the front door, shut up the car, and came back in......... Custer was sat in the hall ready for his walk, I had managed to get him to make the decision (I read about this in a Victoria Stillwell link about dogs making their own choices). I got half the harness on, but was a bit of a battle for the other half..
Went out to the car which he more than happily jumped into. Not being quite so brave on my own, I had him on a long line, which I kept hold of, but he was very happy to mooch about on the beach, ignored 2 dogs we saw even though he was quite free really, did not pull, stayed with me, just did his own thing..
I have to say it was the most 'chilled' walk I have had on my own with him, despite the heat. Although with the sea breeze it is the coolest place you can walk around here, back to the car no problem at all.
The only down side, was when we got back he refused to get out of the car - which on a normal day would have been fine, I would have shut the doors and left him there but its way too hot to leave a dog in a car, thats for sure. So, I attatched the long line again and walked in the house, no.. that did not work, I sat on the step for a while, so he just lay down... Afraid it really was just too hot for either of us to stay there, so I did drag him out by the harness, BUT stayed totally cool about it, he DID get the chance to make his own decision but he blew that one I'm afraid.
Here is a dog that does need to learn to make his own choices, and a human that needs to learn more patience - at the end of which one day will be a good dog.
Looking forward to dog club tomorrow after a break of a couple of weeks, usually we have stayed in the corner and observed, hopefully tomorrow we might be able to take part.
Now, Custer and I are going to try find somewhere cool to relax in..
Unfortunatly, us silly hooomans have forgotten the camera of late. So, no camera for yesterday's Puppy Class which was such a shame. You may have read that Custer lunges at every dog he see's, we have never been totally sure of his intentions.
We arrived at class yesterday (its in a field) and one of the Labrador Puppies ran over to welcome us, I had Custer on the lead so was a bit wary, but confident in the trainer so I totally relaxed and let it happen, Custer was happy to see the pup and did nothing. We usually then try to walk him around and calm him down, but instead took him up to were the other dogs were, it was a very very hot day so everyone was pretty chilled, Custer lay down by the water bowl and 2 of the puppies climbed over him, I was a bit worried but there was no need, he was totally fine with them, he really does think he is one of them it seems.
Not much went on in class as it was too warm to do a lot, but of course Custer threw himself to the floor during 'heel work' and Arthur said to walk away and leave him, so I did - first couple of times he did come and find me, but after that he mooched around doing his own thing, so was left to it.. he didnt bother anybody or any of the dogs.
At the end of class 2 of the pups were playing in the field and Custer went with them, total puppy play although he is an awful lot bigger than them, but nobody bothered. He was also good with one of the older Labradors and one of the nervous cockers in class.
Our trainer has said it is going to take a very long time, and he may never be 100%. But we have learnt an awful lot about Custer in the last few days.
This is Custer after this mornings walk. Remember he was afraid of the water? well, not anymore. As it is very hot, and this was at 8.30am today - the other dogs were straight in the water, so he went in too, my OH had to drop the lead (or choose to go in with him) and Custer had a great time playing with Jaja in the water, sorry we had no camera today. We left him off the lead for the rest of the walk, he came back to the whistle (which I worked on yesterday) and stayed with us, played with an irish setter pup on the way back. Only downside was when he went back to the black ditch (as you can see) and is very smelly just now. I have had to wash his harness, lead and collar. So, there is a lot of hope that one day he will be able to go on the walk with our friends, thing is he is recalling ok for the OH, but not me - so a way to go yet.
We have also found Custer is very sensitive to moods. Last week I had some troubles, and anxiety - he was appauling in behavoir. Now, today we are both happy and smiley and so is Custer, just shows you how dogs do respond to our moods.
Here is Custer doing lap dog...
he does like to sit with his Daddy.
So... this is a good blog again, seems they are getting more frequent. It does take time to sort out a rescue dog, we are now in week 7 of life with Custer, and only just starting to work him out.
We have now concluded Custer is a v. large, sensitive PUPPY.
Having had a couple of poor days with Custer, we arrived at the conclusion more exercise was needed, although walkies are not a great deal of fun, it had to be done. So, on Sunday morning we set off on one of my usual walks with the other dogs known as the 'velvet trail' by the side of the beach. We practiced a 'sit n stay' on the bridge on the way to the little pond we thought Custer would adore.
He was very tentative towards the water, we are not sure if he has been taught to stay out of it, or is just genuinly fearful of it? he hates rain and does avoid puddles. But this pond was not met with your typical Labrador enthusiasm.
On the way back we did some more bridge sit and stays...
Looks really good doesn't it? but we did leave out the rugby tackle OH did catching him after the runner after this shot..
Note the harness, this does help a bit with the pulling, but I still cannot manage him with just this. Usually I have a half check chain too, but still last week he managed to pull every muscle and joint I have. So, I have started this week with a head collar again, and the harness - does stop him from pulling, but does not however stop him from hurling himself to the floor, as he is really cross he cannot take control of the walk. Now with the harness I can pull him back up off the floor but as he weigh's about 6 stone, this cannot go on for much longer, I am hoping he will soon stop. Three times today, so aside from my arm ligaments being torn to bits, he has now done my back with all the lifting. Our 'gentle lead' arrives soon, so hoping that will be better still. Will link to it as and when.
Tonight its one of our training evenings, we are taking him to the tennis courts or the beach to practice some recall, and tire him out a bit. (fingers crossed)
I will end with a photo of the boys on the way back from our very successful walk, having said that we didn't see any other dogs so that did help.
Amazing as this is, Custer is STILL here. Though I confess, last Sunday was a close call for him.
I have spent the week doing 3 training sessions per day, usually quite short but 3 per day. Sometimes some of that time is just spent at the end of the driveway learning to 'sit' quietly and watch the world go by, I think Custer still needs time to get used to the world outdoors.
I would say that dog club on Wednesday was pretty much like the week before, still trying to lunge at the other dogs most of the time.
Today was gundog training day, despite having worked so hard all week I really did not feel I was making that much progress. However, my trainer and another respected gundog chap both said I had done well and there was a marked improvement from last week. Cant say I could see it myself, I felt I was still spending the hour being dragged around, and still came out feeling like I had done 10 rounds with 'Tyson'. But those watching said he was doing much better. One lady who was also training, asked if I had a different dog? so although I could not see any progress others could, so I suppose that is something.
I must say I have NEVER met such a stubborn dog. Even my Mum who also knows her dogs could not believe it when she visited yesterday and Custer was determined to dominate her at all times, she now understands how when I say it is a running battle from getting up in the morning, until bedtime I am not exagerating at all.
One of the professional dog walkers on my walk (with the other dogs) wonders if the effects of his castration might kick in eventually, we 'suspect' he was only neutered in early May - so may yet have another 2 - 6 months for hormones to settle down.
Another of my neighbours was telling me she had a similar battle with a rescue Goldie, took a year but turned to the best dog she ever had............ could this be Custer? I keep thinking back to my late Labradors, so different to him. Our first boy Tigger was such a dream, and the best Labrador ever (really must do a page for him), Tess of course was very timid, Alfie was difficult to begin with but not dominant with people, very loving and until his early demise was coming on really well (he has a page on the right, the most handsome dog ever).
We have been back from dog training about 3 hours now and he has just woke up, I do think I am more worn out than him though.. I could sleep on a clothes line just now. Must be doggie tea time I think.
Will try keep the blog updated more, but little to day all week really was just most of the same. I also keep forgetting to take pictures.
One more thing though, we took the dogs out for their evening stroll last night and it rained very heavily, we all got totally drowned. Custer is frightened of the rain! Have you ever seen the like? a Labrador who is scared of water?
Don't be deceived by what you see in these pictures - OH only took the good ones. This was not my best ever morning at Puppy Class. Unfortunatly we started off with a bit of an 'incident' that has resulted in a few injuries for the OH, due to severe behavoir by Custer. Followed by a HUGE battle of wills between the two of us.
So, not the best way to start a training class. Here is our super trainer Arthur doing some further assessing...
He believes, what we have is a VERY big puppy, who has already gone through some pretty severe treatment and as a result now rebels against any form of discipline. Of course nobody can have a dog this size ruling the roost, so not an easy task at hand. We cannot allow him to get his own way at all, but have to find ways of achieving this. It is going to be a very long road ahead.
Yes, quite an impressive 'sit and stay' but it does not last long believe me! At this class Custer spends the majority of his time trying to eat the stones on the floor. That is when he is not lunging at the other dogs. What the aim now is to 'try' to get him to focus his attention on me - I think that is my homework for class, though I can't really see me managing that in only a week, but I suppose at least 'some' attention on me would be nice. Thing is I have this cracked at home, just not at all when outside the front door.
I confess today is really not a good day, I am finding it very hard with Custer and his behavoir - I know its going to be a very long road ahead, but never have I had a dog so stubborn or so difficult. Custer is my 8th rescue dog - at one time we had 5 dogs living here at once who were nowhere near as much trouble all together.
Lucky for Custer today his Dad is very determined not to give up on him - not as sure as I am today, but then my old arthritic joints are not so fond of the pressure they have been put under today.
