Everyone else raised their hands when asked if their dogs jumped or pulled. Then the instructor asked us, and I was like well nope he never pulls. I'm starting to wonder if the rest of the class thinks Onyxx is (mostly) magically trained. Because he isn't!
After class, the instructor said Onyxx did extremely well and I must have put a lot of time into him. Yes, I spend a lot of time trying to cram some tricks and manners into his little Chihuahua brain.
Mr. N wants to be good. And praised. And applauded. Onyxx wants to be fed. Mr. N won't work solely for praise all the time but he does like being told he's good. Onyxx has trouble performing without treats. I routinely have to "shove" Mr. N out of the way when practicing with Onyxx even if there's no food involved.
I think I was spoiled having Mr. N to train first.
The boyfriend says Mr. N is good indoors and is "bad" outdoors (due to his leash reactivity which is slowly getting better). And Onyxx is bad indoors (he's always sneaking off to the kitchen and trying to eat food) and good outdoors. Which is better?
Also the boyfriend has discovered that if he barks, Onyxx will bark back. Oh joy. Mr. N is above such things.
I've finished Onyxx's video. Anything I should change or fix?
Excellent! What pawesome forever home wouldn't want that brilliant little cutie?
ReplyDeleteGreat video. I'd adopt him myself if I weren't in NJ, and already had three dogs and four cats. What an awesome foster you are to put such time into a dog to help him find a home. I know this story will have a happy ending.
ReplyDelete--Woofs (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats.
Thank you. I hope he finds his happy ending soon!
DeleteHi Y'all!
ReplyDeleteHey, I do much better work if I know I'm gettin' paid! (treats)
Y'all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Which is fine. But he won't work period without them.
DeleteI agree with your other comments...can't believe someone doesn't have a gret forever home waiting for this guy. He's cute and does tricks! You've done a great job with him...sure you don't want to keep him ;)
ReplyDelete
DeleteNo... even if we wanted to be a two dog household (which we don't), he's not the right fit for us. He can't keep up with Mr. N (both as a playmate and exercise-wise so we'd have to leave him home when we go hiking/do sports) and he's not therapy dog material (I really want to do therapy work in the future), I have my hands full with Mr. N and the boyfriend doesn't particularly want a dog of his own. Onyxx would really be happier with someone who was retired and would pet him all day.
He is such an awesome little guy. Love him!
ReplyDeleteThat last about the boyfriend barking made me BOL! Y'know, you're doing a great job and making progress with both of your dogs. I wouldn't worry about which is better, comparing the two. You're obviously working hard and so are they. Great job!
ReplyDeleteOh it was more of a joke than anything. It's just funny how they have such drastically different personalities.
DeleteOh my. Scooter barks if we bark too.
ReplyDeleteAlso howls at sirens, opera singing (on tv) and certain commercials ;)
His howl is SO loud, everyone always just cracks up. You cannot believe the volume that comes out of this little guy ;)
Love the video!
ReplyDeleteNeither of my dogs are super strongly food motivated - sometimes I think that would just be a nice constant to have for training. Your pockets may forever be lined with treat dust, but at least you know what always works!
What do you train with? Both dogs work consistently for food best but like you said I have treat dust everywhere!
DeleteOh, my gosh! So sweet!! I'm having to experience the opposite of food motivation with our current foster! All 3 of my guys will work for food... she will not! Modifying my practice to include praise has turned into a pretty steep learning curve for me. You're keeping me motivated!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Onyxx was a steep learning curve for me. Like I said above, he's not very biddable. And the boys have totally different learning styles. Mr. N is a "thinker" and Onyxx just flings things that he think might work. He gets too overstimulated to work with a clicker so I've been using luring.
DeleteI hope Onyxx finds his forever home soon! He's such a cutie and you've done such a great job with him.
ReplyDeleteYou guys rock, you're doing such a good job with both of their training, I hope Onyx finds his forever home soon, wherever it is they'll be super lucky! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you're having a fun day,
Your pal Snoopy :)