Update on Toto's "Trainer"

[bettyeanne]

We finally had time to address Toto's bad habits and found a great trainer! His name is Paul and he came to the house this week for an hour session and wound up staying three! Training is all he does and he also has a "dog bootcamp" as he trains dogs for lots of other things than just obedience for owners like us. REALLY nice guy! Toto was very shy at first but by the time he finished she was literally "trotting" along with him, wearing her harness and leash, looking so proud with her little head held high just like she was in a show ring!! I swear, it was the cutest thing because she is so tiny, his foot was bigger than Toto!! Now the real work starts ... he showed us a couple of things to work on until her next session with him! By the time he is through she will know the verbal commands as well as hand signals. We are also going to explore some of the agility training just for more excercise for her as she is so confined. Dr. Lucy is in favor of this but not the stuff that's really high because of her size!! Paul also made us feel good about what we have been doing so far!! It made it easier for him to begin his work with her because she already knew a few commands! Will keep you all updated on her progress!!

[Higgin's Mom]

Now I'm jealous! A personal trainer for Toto! Wait until I tell Don! He'll have to find one, too, or Patrick will be "one up" and you know how those two are! LOL

We haven't done even the simplest training yet. Bad parents. But he's really pretty good about stuff. Again, he takes a lot of his cues from Pogo The Perfect Dog.

Now Bettye, you know that Higgins is supposed to be "MY" dog, right? And you know that Don has always said he "doesn't like" dogs? Yeah, well, I've LOST my dog to Don! He is a complete NUT about that puppy! And for the past two night Higgins has slept with HIM! Don even picks up da poops! And of course he insists on feeding him.........sigh.........I've enjoyed having my ol' Pogo dog back, though.

[bettyeanne]

Originally Posted by Higgin's Mom

Now I'm jealous! A personal trainer for Toto! Wait until I tell Don! He'll have to find one, too, or Patrick will be "one up" and you know how those two are! LOL

We haven't done even the simplest training yet. Bad parents. But he's really pretty good about stuff. Again, he takes a lot of his cues from Pogo The Perfect Dog.

Now Bettye, you know that Higgins is supposed to be "MY" dog, right? And you know that Don has always said he "doesn't like" dogs? Yeah, well, I've LOST my dog to Don! He is a complete NUT about that puppy! And for the past two night Higgins has slept with HIM! Don even picks up da poops! And of course he insists on feeding him.........sigh.........I've enjoyed having my ol' Pogo dog back, though.

What all Toto learns from Paul remains to be seen!! You will be amazed when you start working with Higgins ... these little guys are sooo smart! When they learn that something they do pleases you they will just do it over and over!! [A little treat helps too!! ]

About Higgins being Don's!! Must be something in the air!! Toto has completely started choosing Pat over me for the past few days!! What's with these little demon dogs?? Wonder if Don & Pat are sneaking these babies treats that they aren't supposed to be having or something?? I'm just resigned to being "second choice"!!

[fasteddie]

Wow, a personal trainer! Please keep us updated on how Toto does and what he learns! We haven't been teaching Yoda anything new lately... Bad parents!

[bettyeanne]

Originally Posted by fasteddie

Wow, a personal trainer! Please keep us updated on how Toto does and what he learns! We haven't been teaching Yoda anything new lately... Bad parents!

I will keep you updated! This is fun ... although she is only having one session a week! A new and really odd thing that she is doing [I asked the trainer about this and although he really didn't explain .... was QUITE surprised and pleased!] .... she will be in my lap and she turns around facing me and just stares deep into my eyes without moving!! She will stay like that for as long as I will look at her! This is one really odd little creature ... go figure!!

[Higgin's Mom]

Sits and looks at you? Higgins doesn't sit still for a minute! In fact, I think he must have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). But you guys have inspired me to begin SOME kind of training with him........

Does the trainer use the harness? I've always done the collar for training, but Sir Higgin's trachea is much to delicate for that, I think. I just got a new bag of Solid Gold Lamb Jerky so I think I will reserve those treats for training......both dogs will do just about ANYTHING for one of those. If you haven't tried 'em, get some in a health food store or vets or really good pet store. The holistic vet in Florida prescibed them for Higgins instead of Nutrical. She said it was much healthier for him, since Nutrical is mainly sugar, and that the jerky treats were like an energy/protein bar that a human would eat. Even though they are only about 1" square, we break 'em up into about 4 pieces. I usually keep some in a plastic bag in the care just in case we get delayed somewhere and his din-din is going to be late, or if he is getting a lot of exercise and needs a mid-day pickmeup.

[bettyeanne]

Originally Posted by Higgin's Mom

Sits and looks at you? Higgins doesn't sit still for a minute! In fact, I think he must have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). But you guys have inspired me to begin SOME kind of training with him........

Does the trainer use the harness? I've always done the collar for training, but Sir Higgin's trachea is much to delicate for that, I think. I just got a new bag of Solid Gold Lamb Jerky so I think I will reserve those treats for training......both dogs will do just about ANYTHING for one of those.

Yep! She just gazes ... for a loooong time! Her expression in her eyes is kinda like the one she has when she is playing.

The trainer uses the harness ... his main instructions are persistence and repetition with the same "word" or "action". We will keep the words that Toto already understands and then just add new ones as she learns new things! Much of what Paul told us, we had already studied in some of the books. We haven't had as much time since the new project started but that's about to change!!

That Solid Gold Lamb Jerky sounds great ... we will look for some. BTW ... can we give it to Don & Pat and achieve those results!!