First, mother-nature gave us a surprise challenge her self last night: THUNDER, LIGHTNING AND RAIN. This is the first time I think we (I mean me -- Tytus) have heard thunder. My brother, Brutus, on the other paw still hasn't heard thunder: he sleeps like a hibernating bear and if a heard of elephants ran through the room he wouldn't have a clue.
Anyway, Mom helped me relax during the thunder by rubbing my chest and squeezing my paws (a trick she was told by our masseuse) -- I learned that THUNDER wasn't as bad as it sounds and got to sleep a little during the thunder.
With accepting the challenge late in the week, Mom unveiled the details today! It's a two part challenge: Part 1 -- We have to train one on one with her, this is going to be the fun part. Part 2 -- When we aren't training with her we have to wait patiently in the crate or x'er-pen all by ourselves, this is going to be the hard part.
Mom is going to take over from here.
This first challenge is going to be an on going task as the boys really need work on waiting their turn. I created this monster, now we are going to correct it. Here is how the first day went:
Brutus went first, then traded with Tytus.
Part 1a & b: Brutus and I headed out the front door for a walk around the block. Our walk consisted of first getting him to focus on me and not look around for Tytus, then started working on changing the pace, then added some stops with sits. Then it was Tytus's turn. Same thing with him. Both of them did ok, once they settled down.
Part 2a & b: The x'er-pen setup in the entryway next to the front door and Tytus sitting in it, boy what a look I got when I opened the front door and asked Brutus let's go. Not sure how long he barked and carried on, but by the time Brutus and I returned he was settled down and relaxed. Now, it was Brutus's turn, he just gave a look see ya when you get back. Brutus has that attitude of, "What Ever".
Conclusion of Week 1 Challenge: My thinking for having the x'er-pen setup in the entry, was to have it in a place they could see when we left/returned. The plan is to take it with us, when we train in other places.
Thats it for now.