Using scent for guidance with a pup who cannot see or hear.
This page contains blogs, pictures and videos about special visitors at Shady Mountain Pet Retreat. These animals either had special needs or extreme behavioral issues.
Ranger Murphy October - November 2014
Ranger Murphy
Oh my gosh what a gorgeous dog! Ranger is a young wolf hybrid. I'd say he's at least 75% wolf. This is gonna be a fun one! He's gracing us with his presence for four weeks of training. While currently shy (very wolfish), he is slowly warming up and has made friends with James. He lowers himself to the ground so that he and James can interact on the same level. He's fine with the Freedom Harness. We'll see how it goes as we progress.
10/23: I've found that Ranger cannot be trained as one would a normal dog. I will have to think outside the box. Doing so we have made some progress on heeling (Let's Go), and started Sit/stay today. He is not food motivated but finally did begin taking some treats from me today as we worked, though not really as a set reward. The recall will be difficult with this guy as he has NO motivation to come to people unless on his terms which is usually from behind them at his inclination. Ranger is very independent and aloof so much patience and gentle guidance will be required throughout his training.
10/24: Ranger is making some progress, but still isn't totally trustful. Yesterday we attempted to lock him in his suite as we do with all the dogs when we sanitize the yards he broke through the window screen. He HATES being contained. So we allow him access to the yard at all times regardless. He's a free spirit. On training progress...he'll now perform sit on cue 95% of the time and has accomplished a sit/stay with my moving 3/4 of the way around him at the end of the leash. Today was the first time he responded to the come cue by coming 3 steps toward me on cue prior to the moment I needed to begin backing up.
10/26: He's not gotten easier to get hold of. In fact I've had to get even more inventive in order to get him to go in the area between the gates so that I can put his harness on. Today's lesson wasn't as great as yesterday. We went on a new trail and he was very insecure. No good stays at all and he did not show any progress on his recall response. We have been playing in the yard, though, which got him to show some joy. I do need to be certain to never turn my back on him, however, as when I did so this evening as I was moving dogs around he goosed me in the rear. He's an opportunist!
10/29: Today Ranger's humans came to visit and do a lesson with him. He was SO happy to see them; especially his great pal, George. I had yet to see Ranger so amiable about having his head rubbed. Usually he cringes whenever I attempt that. He performed some great sit/stays with walk-arounds for all of us and also proved that he knows the meaning of "come" even if he doesn't end up directly in front. He's enjoying his walks in the woods with our volunteers. He's even taken treats from them, which is a great improvement in his trust.
10/31: Ranger has started to get a bit too "heavy" on the other dogs. I noticed him grabbing them by their necks and actually lifting them off the ground. He thinks he's playing but it is not appropriate and the other dogs are feeling a bit intimidated so he has been taken to K9 Adventureland for his outside time. It's going to be tough to catch him for training sessions and put him in his suite at night, but I can't allow him to play so rough with smaller dogs. Maybe when I have larger, tougher, hard-playing dogs visiting he can interact with them.
11/1: Today I was able to gain 12' of distance on Ranger's sit/stays. He's almost sitting automatically when we stop. He knows the drill. He's still moving away prior to sitting, though, a sign of distrust. When I cue him to come he readily gets up and comes in my direction but not to me. He passes by about 6' away and wants to remain that distance even when I back up drawing him to me. We almost got a down today. I lifted both front legs and brought them slightly forward of his body and he was a mere 5", or so, from an actual down. I'm sure we'll get there eventually. Lots of patience needed.
11/2: Making some strides on the come cue. He is actually coming within 6' of me. Generally, once he's made it that far I take him forward in a "Let's Go." Then he comes up along my left side. Sometimes he takes treats, sometimes not. He tolerates my petting him but doesn't appear to enjoy it. He's also tolerating my taking both of his forelegs in preparation for teaching him the down. Ranger has gotten very good at sit/stay with me walking completely around him at 12' away.
11/3: Today I didn't work on the down at all. It seemed to make Ranger a bit more relaxed not having to deal with that. I think we made some progress on the come. He came beyond me as usual but when I started forward on the "let's go" he came to my side and took the proffered treat. He did that several times. I am now able to get to the end of the long leash on his sit/stays and he's gotten very reliable on that exercise.
11/6: Ranger enjoys his morning hikes with our volunteers. Today he was joined by James his BFF. Together they had lots of fun exploring a new area of the mountain. During his training lesson this morning, Ranger showed a bit of progress on his recall. He actually came within reach and took his treat prior to my moving forward with a Let's Go. His sit/stays are phenomenal as I can move completely around him 20' away. He's gotten a little closer while walking with me, too. Ranger is still extremely reticent about my attempting the down. He'll allow me to lift his legs but it frightens him if I begin to pressure him into the down position and there's nothing that will motivate him to do it on his own either.
11/10: Ranger is now walking closer to me while we do "Let's Go." He has also started taking treats from me as we move along; which is new. He's also coming to me on the recall and taking a treat when he arrives. Sometimes I have him sit when he arrives and he hasn't been to put off by that. I've let go of teaching him the down for now as the process is creating a fearful reaction.
11/13: Ranger had a nice visit with his human companions on the 11th. He again showed his "affection" for his Mr., though wolves don't show affection like dogs. He merely walked near his Mr. showing trust of him. The fact that he takes an initiative to go near a human is big for him. He still hangs back a bit while walking with me, but will catch up and take treats from my hand as I walk. Ranger sits automatically we we stop. He prefers that I do the long distance stays instead of the close distance ones. He's still shy about being touched even though I have not attempted the down for 5 days. The past few days he has come to me and taken a treat a few times during our training sessions. That's big for him.
11/15: Not much progress the past few days. Ranger will come to me in the yard, if other dogs do so, but he did that from the beginning. I got another goose this morning and a small lick on my hand. He prefers doing his mountain hikes with James as he feels more secure with another dog present. Ranger has gotten into the pattern of going into the double gate area to get his harness put on and right before bedtime when I must take him to his suite. He knows that's where he's going but can't bring himself to do so on his own as it's confinement, which he dislikes. No more damage, however, so that's a good thing.
11/17: Well more damage. Yesterday Ranger decided the climb the walls of his suite and pull down a picture. I'm relieved he didn't break the glass, but he did chew up the frame. I have since taken all the other pictures off the walls to deter further risk to him. Last night nothing got damaged. I made sure he had plenty of toys in his room. As Ranger departs tomorrow I guess we're not going to accomplish much more than we have at this point - walking on lead, long distance sit/stay and a semblance of recall. He really isn't motivated enough by food to work for it and there's no forcing a canine of his type into anything or he merely wishes to escape the situation. We're close on his coming directly to me from 20' and my not having to guide him much on the way in. He'll take a treat from me as we walk and after a sit but I must hold it very near his mouth. He's friendly when he's with other dogs, but otherwise standoffish with an occasional sniff/lick when I hold out my hand. Oh, and a goose when he gets the opportunity as he will play.
Oh my gosh what a gorgeous dog! Ranger is a young wolf hybrid. I'd say he's at least 75% wolf. This is gonna be a fun one! He's gracing us with his presence for four weeks of training. While currently shy (very wolfish), he is slowly warming up and has made friends with James. He lowers himself to the ground so that he and James can interact on the same level. He's fine with the Freedom Harness. We'll see how it goes as we progress.
10/23: I've found that Ranger cannot be trained as one would a normal dog. I will have to think outside the box. Doing so we have made some progress on heeling (Let's Go), and started Sit/stay today. He is not food motivated but finally did begin taking some treats from me today as we worked, though not really as a set reward. The recall will be difficult with this guy as he has NO motivation to come to people unless on his terms which is usually from behind them at his inclination. Ranger is very independent and aloof so much patience and gentle guidance will be required throughout his training.
10/24: Ranger is making some progress, but still isn't totally trustful. Yesterday we attempted to lock him in his suite as we do with all the dogs when we sanitize the yards he broke through the window screen. He HATES being contained. So we allow him access to the yard at all times regardless. He's a free spirit. On training progress...he'll now perform sit on cue 95% of the time and has accomplished a sit/stay with my moving 3/4 of the way around him at the end of the leash. Today was the first time he responded to the come cue by coming 3 steps toward me on cue prior to the moment I needed to begin backing up.
10/26: He's not gotten easier to get hold of. In fact I've had to get even more inventive in order to get him to go in the area between the gates so that I can put his harness on. Today's lesson wasn't as great as yesterday. We went on a new trail and he was very insecure. No good stays at all and he did not show any progress on his recall response. We have been playing in the yard, though, which got him to show some joy. I do need to be certain to never turn my back on him, however, as when I did so this evening as I was moving dogs around he goosed me in the rear. He's an opportunist!
10/29: Today Ranger's humans came to visit and do a lesson with him. He was SO happy to see them; especially his great pal, George. I had yet to see Ranger so amiable about having his head rubbed. Usually he cringes whenever I attempt that. He performed some great sit/stays with walk-arounds for all of us and also proved that he knows the meaning of "come" even if he doesn't end up directly in front. He's enjoying his walks in the woods with our volunteers. He's even taken treats from them, which is a great improvement in his trust.
10/31: Ranger has started to get a bit too "heavy" on the other dogs. I noticed him grabbing them by their necks and actually lifting them off the ground. He thinks he's playing but it is not appropriate and the other dogs are feeling a bit intimidated so he has been taken to K9 Adventureland for his outside time. It's going to be tough to catch him for training sessions and put him in his suite at night, but I can't allow him to play so rough with smaller dogs. Maybe when I have larger, tougher, hard-playing dogs visiting he can interact with them.
11/1: Today I was able to gain 12' of distance on Ranger's sit/stays. He's almost sitting automatically when we stop. He knows the drill. He's still moving away prior to sitting, though, a sign of distrust. When I cue him to come he readily gets up and comes in my direction but not to me. He passes by about 6' away and wants to remain that distance even when I back up drawing him to me. We almost got a down today. I lifted both front legs and brought them slightly forward of his body and he was a mere 5", or so, from an actual down. I'm sure we'll get there eventually. Lots of patience needed.
11/2: Making some strides on the come cue. He is actually coming within 6' of me. Generally, once he's made it that far I take him forward in a "Let's Go." Then he comes up along my left side. Sometimes he takes treats, sometimes not. He tolerates my petting him but doesn't appear to enjoy it. He's also tolerating my taking both of his forelegs in preparation for teaching him the down. Ranger has gotten very good at sit/stay with me walking completely around him at 12' away.
11/3: Today I didn't work on the down at all. It seemed to make Ranger a bit more relaxed not having to deal with that. I think we made some progress on the come. He came beyond me as usual but when I started forward on the "let's go" he came to my side and took the proffered treat. He did that several times. I am now able to get to the end of the long leash on his sit/stays and he's gotten very reliable on that exercise.
11/6: Ranger enjoys his morning hikes with our volunteers. Today he was joined by James his BFF. Together they had lots of fun exploring a new area of the mountain. During his training lesson this morning, Ranger showed a bit of progress on his recall. He actually came within reach and took his treat prior to my moving forward with a Let's Go. His sit/stays are phenomenal as I can move completely around him 20' away. He's gotten a little closer while walking with me, too. Ranger is still extremely reticent about my attempting the down. He'll allow me to lift his legs but it frightens him if I begin to pressure him into the down position and there's nothing that will motivate him to do it on his own either.
11/10: Ranger is now walking closer to me while we do "Let's Go." He has also started taking treats from me as we move along; which is new. He's also coming to me on the recall and taking a treat when he arrives. Sometimes I have him sit when he arrives and he hasn't been to put off by that. I've let go of teaching him the down for now as the process is creating a fearful reaction.
11/13: Ranger had a nice visit with his human companions on the 11th. He again showed his "affection" for his Mr., though wolves don't show affection like dogs. He merely walked near his Mr. showing trust of him. The fact that he takes an initiative to go near a human is big for him. He still hangs back a bit while walking with me, but will catch up and take treats from my hand as I walk. Ranger sits automatically we we stop. He prefers that I do the long distance stays instead of the close distance ones. He's still shy about being touched even though I have not attempted the down for 5 days. The past few days he has come to me and taken a treat a few times during our training sessions. That's big for him.
11/15: Not much progress the past few days. Ranger will come to me in the yard, if other dogs do so, but he did that from the beginning. I got another goose this morning and a small lick on my hand. He prefers doing his mountain hikes with James as he feels more secure with another dog present. Ranger has gotten into the pattern of going into the double gate area to get his harness put on and right before bedtime when I must take him to his suite. He knows that's where he's going but can't bring himself to do so on his own as it's confinement, which he dislikes. No more damage, however, so that's a good thing.
11/17: Well more damage. Yesterday Ranger decided the climb the walls of his suite and pull down a picture. I'm relieved he didn't break the glass, but he did chew up the frame. I have since taken all the other pictures off the walls to deter further risk to him. Last night nothing got damaged. I made sure he had plenty of toys in his room. As Ranger departs tomorrow I guess we're not going to accomplish much more than we have at this point - walking on lead, long distance sit/stay and a semblance of recall. He really isn't motivated enough by food to work for it and there's no forcing a canine of his type into anything or he merely wishes to escape the situation. We're close on his coming directly to me from 20' and my not having to guide him much on the way in. He'll take a treat from me as we walk and after a sit but I must hold it very near his mouth. He's friendly when he's with other dogs, but otherwise standoffish with an occasional sniff/lick when I hold out my hand. Oh, and a goose when he gets the opportunity as he will play.
Ruggles Fay
10.20.11 Ruggles is settling down much more, though he's by no means a cuddlesome cat. He is the most finicky feline I've ever met so I'm using his favorite toys as reward. This makes the process a little slower, but still successful. He has become comfortable around me and won't avoid my presence. I have been able to touch him along his back with my hand and everywhere else on his body with my target stick. He actually displayed appreciation for cheek and neck rubs.
He will now touch the end of the target stick to earn his feathers. He maintains his attention on this game for near a half hour.
He doesn't eat much - 1 chicken leg every other day; and has barely touched the sardines I bought for him, but did eat one. I doubt he'll starve himself, but I will continue to offer him his daily ration nonetheless. Mostly, he enjoys burying it in his bed and toys.
Captain's Log Supplemental: Tonight Ruggles gave me a perfect Feline greeting - he brought his nose to my finger, sniffed for a bit and then remained near me. He no longer flinches when i touch him and is eating a bit better, though nowhere near what his human companion was feeding him. He'll eat 1 chicken leg/day, along with a bit of tuna or salmon.
He will now touch the end of the target stick to earn his feathers. He maintains his attention on this game for near a half hour.
He doesn't eat much - 1 chicken leg every other day; and has barely touched the sardines I bought for him, but did eat one. I doubt he'll starve himself, but I will continue to offer him his daily ration nonetheless. Mostly, he enjoys burying it in his bed and toys.
Captain's Log Supplemental: Tonight Ruggles gave me a perfect Feline greeting - he brought his nose to my finger, sniffed for a bit and then remained near me. He no longer flinches when i touch him and is eating a bit better, though nowhere near what his human companion was feeding him. He'll eat 1 chicken leg/day, along with a bit of tuna or salmon.
Ruggles - Day 3
Ruggles Day 5
Ruggles - Day 7
Progress is slow, but then, there's a lot of past baggage to deal with as well as the fact that he's an F1 Savannah and not infused with more domestic blood. When working with cats of this nature I am impressed with how much the genetic code has changed as felines domesticated.
Ruggles continues to not want actual contact, but has brought his nose close to my hand, food, arm and face. We do a lot of play and I have used this as his reward for targeting. I can touch him all over with a target stick, feather or toy, but not much with my hand. He continues to eat only 1 chicken leg per day, if even. He has lost a few ounces, but requires much more exercise than can be had in his suite. I am looking forward to harness training him and actually taking him for walks. That is still quite a ways away I'm afraid. He still doesn' thave the trust required for training this work, yet.
Ruggles continues to not want actual contact, but has brought his nose close to my hand, food, arm and face. We do a lot of play and I have used this as his reward for targeting. I can touch him all over with a target stick, feather or toy, but not much with my hand. He continues to eat only 1 chicken leg per day, if even. He has lost a few ounces, but requires much more exercise than can be had in his suite. I am looking forward to harness training him and actually taking him for walks. That is still quite a ways away I'm afraid. He still doesn' thave the trust required for training this work, yet.
Ruggles 10.28.11
Ruggles is now actually wanting attention. Today he went directly to his sleep pad which is placed on the floor. I brought out his feather toy and the target stick. I began with play and touching the target stick. Then as he played I touched him with the target stick. He did not object, so i put the target stick down and began stroking him with my hand. He was very comfortable with this for a long time - about 5 minutes. He has also given me the kitty greetings - nose to my finger, three days in a row.
Ruggles 10.30.11
Ruggles will now greet me every day by touching his nose to my finger. Now he will also bring his face along my hand and has even brought his face to mine. He is comfortable playing next to me and will land on me from time to time. He is actually asking for attention by going to the door and reaching for the door knob. He loves playing with his catnip mouse toy. He flips about his room as he plays. Every day I stroke him from his head to his tail. He will occasionally turn and look at me but mostly just bites on his toy as I touch him.
Ruggles 11.02.11
He's made some great strides in becoming more "touchable." Each evening I sit with him and stroke him from head to tail. He will greet me several times a day - nose to finger or hand. Now he keeps his face near my hand and actually rubs his cheek against me. He loves to play with his feathers and also his catnip toy. He will ask for attention by jumping onto the door and looking at me. Yesterday, as I stroked him, he turned his head to look at my hand then went back to playing. No hissing or even ears back. He has accepted my touch; even arches his back as he walks near me, asking to be touched. It's taken over 2 weeks to reach this level. I hope to begin acclimating him to his harness next but must be very careful about insuring we don't regress so it'll be slow going.
Captain's Log Supplemental: I just needed to add these new events. I was near ready to burst! Last night I brought out his harness. As soon as he saw it he headed for the highest peak. Then I began to play with him with his last feather toy. He came out and we played a while. I was able to stroke him a lot and he "greeted" me nicely, even kept his face near my hand smelling my fingers. I lay the harness out flat on his pad and he lay on it as he played and I stroked. I moved it around a bit. He really hates the sound of the velcro - gives him bad memories, so I just flipped the sides about. This morning I fed him sardines, which he ate right away. He actually ate one directly from my hand and licked my fingers. That's some greatprogress!!
Ruggles 11.04.11
We have finally breached a major threshold! Ruggles will take food from a spoon I am holding as well as from my hand. Training has begun. Phew!! I have been able to get him to sit, come, sit-up a couple times and place a paw, gently, on my leg. He continues to greet me with a nose touch and a bit of cheek rub. He arches his back for a stroke and does not mind too much when I pet him as he plays. We're all out of feathers, though, so I hope when his supplies are renewed on Saturday that more arrive. He isn't running as far when he hears the velcro of his harness, but still shows avoidance behavior when he sees me manipulating it. I believe I'll attempt to teach him to use the other harness instead. Meanwhile, we've got a lot of work to do with targeting and learning cues.
Ruggles 11.05.11
OMG!!! I had the best session ever with this cat at 9 pm. This seems to be his peek training time. I feel really bad that his human companion drove 4 hours to visit with him today and he just hit under his bed the entire time. Not even his favorite toy brought him out. He decided to play a bit at 4pm; excited to see new feathers. But tonight. Again, OMG! He performed beautifully. Here's the list of what he did: Come, Sit, Sit-up, Shake, Get on my lap, lay his chin in the palm of my hand, rub his cheek on my hand and of course, stroking him as he played with his feathers. He was amazing. I used sardines as a treat and he's responding beautifully to the target spoon. I am so sad his human didn't see this and that I could not film it while working with him. Hopefully, in the future I can set up the camera just before getting another session like this.
Ruggles 11.07.11
I was able to do a lesson this morning, which is great because Ruggles is NOT a morning person. He performed come, sit, sit-up, onto my lap, shake, chin in palm and learned how to twirl to the left. He was very eager to work and did not walk away during the session. This cat is making great improvements. Later today I will introduce him to the harness and targeting through the neck strap.
Ruggles during training 11.8.11
Ruggles is beginning to display affection and responding well to training cues. It's tough to film and train at the same time so I apologize for the shaky movement.
The past few days I've allowed him access to the interior of the pet retreat so that he can stretch his legs more. He always returns to his room when he's frightened or insecure about anything. He is going through his feather toys too quickly, so I'm allowing him access every other day. As he crunches his feathers I'm touching him all over, preparing him for putting on a harness. He gets a bit concerned when I touch behind his forelegs or attempt to touch his tummy. I can easily touch around his head and neck without any reaction.
Ruggles 11.07.11
I was able to do a lesson this morning, which is great because Ruggles is NOT a morning person. He performed come, sit, sit-up, onto my lap, shake, chin in palm and learned how to twirl to the left. He was very eager to work and did not walk away during the session. This cat is making great improvements. Later today I will introduce him to the harness and targeting through the neck strap.
Ruggles during training 11.8.11
Ruggles is beginning to display affection and responding well to training cues. It's tough to film and train at the same time so I apologize for the shaky movement.
The past few days I've allowed him access to the interior of the pet retreat so that he can stretch his legs more. He always returns to his room when he's frightened or insecure about anything. He is going through his feather toys too quickly, so I'm allowing him access every other day. As he crunches his feathers I'm touching him all over, preparing him for putting on a harness. He gets a bit concerned when I touch behind his forelegs or attempt to touch his tummy. I can easily touch around his head and neck without any reaction.
Ruggles 11.12.11
We do our regular training sessions between 8 and 10 pm, when Ruggles is more active. I've been able to lure his head through the harness and he will eat his sardines with it there. He has become comfortable with my sliding it over his head and back. He always greets me with a finger sniff and sometimes a chin rub. I gave him a couple new toys - a furry mouse and a catnip mouse. He loves them both. He is allowed a little free time in the main hall each day and runs around a bit but always retreats to his room after a couple minutes.
Ruggles 11.15.11
We just finished with a morning session. Ruggles was motivated this morning after a few minutes of racing around the pet retreat and hiding on a shelf as I vacuumed. He will still avoid anything to do with the harness but is going into his carrier on cue, performing come, shake, wave, sit-up. sit, crouch down, onto my lap, kissing my face, allowing me to stroke him all over (except his underside) and enjoying playing with all sorts of new toys. I have to keep replacing his toys as he destroys them in one way or another; and likes to dunk them in his water dish. Anytime I enter his room he greets me either with kitty kisses (cat nose to finger) or actually gets up and arches his back and lowers his head to the side in invitation. This kitty has come a long way!
Ruggles 11.18.11
Below are 2 videos taken this morning at 10am. Ruggles has begun responding earlier in the day instead of just at night. He really likes sardines! He has gotten much better about being stroked. I can now do it without his biting on feathers. He does need to be occupied, though, so I often do it as he eats. Ruggles has gotten very responsive to come, sit, up, shake, come, direction cues and entering his carrier on cue.
Ruggles 11.15.11
We just finished with a morning session. Ruggles was motivated this morning after a few minutes of racing around the pet retreat and hiding on a shelf as I vacuumed. He will still avoid anything to do with the harness but is going into his carrier on cue, performing come, shake, wave, sit-up. sit, crouch down, onto my lap, kissing my face, allowing me to stroke him all over (except his underside) and enjoying playing with all sorts of new toys. I have to keep replacing his toys as he destroys them in one way or another; and likes to dunk them in his water dish. Anytime I enter his room he greets me either with kitty kisses (cat nose to finger) or actually gets up and arches his back and lowers his head to the side in invitation. This kitty has come a long way!
Ruggles 11.18.11
Below are 2 videos taken this morning at 10am. Ruggles has begun responding earlier in the day instead of just at night. He really likes sardines! He has gotten much better about being stroked. I can now do it without his biting on feathers. He does need to be occupied, though, so I often do it as he eats. Ruggles has gotten very responsive to come, sit, up, shake, come, direction cues and entering his carrier on cue.
Ruggles Fay 11.23.11
This big kitty has become very affectionate! He will now give me kisses on the lips, on cue, as well as the kitty greetings - nose to finger. Today he began learning the "head butt" on cue. He has nearly mastered the twirl right and continues to perform well on come, sit, sit-up, carrier on cue, paw in hand and is asking for touch by going to his mat and crouching there. He loves being stroked when eating and playing. Every evening when I spend time with him he rubs against me, arching his back to be touched and moves around me affectionately. He does not want to leave his room, though. He feels very comfortable and safe in his room. He won't even follow his feather toys out of the room. I think the noise of the other dogs here might have something to do with that. Maybe when he goes home he'll be more adventurous. Ruggles also enjoys knowing the routine. Morning means working for 2 sardines. Afternoon means his raw chicken leg and stroking. He gets playtime after training in the morning and at night before bedtime.
Ruggles 11.25.11
Today I was able to lure his head all the way through both loops of the harness. He wasn't pleased when he found it did not come off easily, so we repeated it several times until he was comfortable with my removing it as he ate his fish. I've also been acclimating him to the nail trimmers. I can move it around his feet and even touch his feet with it. I actually trimmed one nail! It's best to do this as he eats or plays with his feathers. He really enjoys being stroked at those times as well. This morning he decided to explore the pet retreat a bit and try jumping on the counter. His first lesson about counters. HISS!!!! See pics below.
Ruggles 11.25.11
Today I was able to lure his head all the way through both loops of the harness. He wasn't pleased when he found it did not come off easily, so we repeated it several times until he was comfortable with my removing it as he ate his fish. I've also been acclimating him to the nail trimmers. I can move it around his feet and even touch his feet with it. I actually trimmed one nail! It's best to do this as he eats or plays with his feathers. He really enjoys being stroked at those times as well. This morning he decided to explore the pet retreat a bit and try jumping on the counter. His first lesson about counters. HISS!!!! See pics below.
Ruggles 12.1.11
We got the harness on 100% today! He put his head through both neck and chest straps. When he realized he had it on he walked away and inadvertantly pulled his legs through so that the harness was on properly. He continued to perform while wearing it and allowed me to unclip the straps as he ate his tuna. Big breakthrough!!!
Ruggles 12. 7.11
This kitty is very INTO training now. He is always asking for it. He meows for attention and purrs while working. As he continues to perform his well-known behaviors - sit, twirl, shake, wave, sit-up, get on my lap, give kisses and accept stroking, I am also making some progress on slipping on the harness and maintaining hold of his two front feet in preparation for trimming his nails. He'll accept the presence and feel of the nail clipper, but getting him to hold his feet steady is another matter.
Ruggles 12.11.11
Our latest work has been to go into the crate on cue and continued work with the harness. I can now easily apply the harness (while he's busy, of course) and he will go into his crate when I place his food inside - a couple times, anyway. He quickly tires of that one. Ruggles prefers to perform his sit, twirl, kiss, head bunt and other behaviors. He's still not super comfortable working while wearing his harness, but will do so for a little while. All his feather toys are destroyed so he'll have to make do with his catnip toys until he goes home on the 17th.
Ruggles 12.16.11
Ruggles is now enjoying his time in the main hall each morning and a bit in the afternoon. He has begun racing around and investigating everything. He even took a toy off the shelf and stole away with it to his room. It's a little stuffed cow. Happy Holidays, Ruggles.
Today as he ate his tuna during training I was able to clip all of his front nails and a couple back ones. He's still not happy when I touch his back feet, but comfortable with the front provided he's busy eating. I was also able to apply his harness and he wore it throughout the training session. Yesterday, my son sat with us in his room and we interacted for about an hour. He offered a finger kitty kiss and even rubbed against him. This was only the second time my son had been in the room with him. Ruggles is warming up to people faster.
Ruggles 12. 7.11
This kitty is very INTO training now. He is always asking for it. He meows for attention and purrs while working. As he continues to perform his well-known behaviors - sit, twirl, shake, wave, sit-up, get on my lap, give kisses and accept stroking, I am also making some progress on slipping on the harness and maintaining hold of his two front feet in preparation for trimming his nails. He'll accept the presence and feel of the nail clipper, but getting him to hold his feet steady is another matter.
Ruggles 12.11.11
Our latest work has been to go into the crate on cue and continued work with the harness. I can now easily apply the harness (while he's busy, of course) and he will go into his crate when I place his food inside - a couple times, anyway. He quickly tires of that one. Ruggles prefers to perform his sit, twirl, kiss, head bunt and other behaviors. He's still not super comfortable working while wearing his harness, but will do so for a little while. All his feather toys are destroyed so he'll have to make do with his catnip toys until he goes home on the 17th.
Ruggles 12.16.11
Ruggles is now enjoying his time in the main hall each morning and a bit in the afternoon. He has begun racing around and investigating everything. He even took a toy off the shelf and stole away with it to his room. It's a little stuffed cow. Happy Holidays, Ruggles.
Today as he ate his tuna during training I was able to clip all of his front nails and a couple back ones. He's still not happy when I touch his back feet, but comfortable with the front provided he's busy eating. I was also able to apply his harness and he wore it throughout the training session. Yesterday, my son sat with us in his room and we interacted for about an hour. He offered a finger kitty kiss and even rubbed against him. This was only the second time my son had been in the room with him. Ruggles is warming up to people faster.
2010
Video of me working with Daisy Chamberlin, a deaf and blind Great Dane
This video was filmed after 3 weeks of board and train. She progressed further to working off leash within a familiar fenced area.