2 days in a row - Progress!

We've had Sunshine for about 10 weeks. Yesterday after several tries I got him to come in the house on his own power. And we had a repeat this morning on the first try! Wow! It wasn't through the dog doors. I had all the house doors open but it is still a major step forward. In addition on his walk he walked right by a bank of mailboxes without skittering wildly. He glanced at them concerned and moved over a little bit but it was much better than before. Yeah Sunshine!

Did it really happen? Will it repeat?

After several days of showing and trying to get Sunshine to take his breakfast in the garage, moving closer to the door I actually got him to come in without my holding his leash and leading him in. It didn't happen right away. I had to go out for him several times but it actually happened!

Snuggles in the morning

Sunshine has a great habit that he developed along the way. In the morning, after I've woken up but before I get out of bed he crawls to the head of the bed. Flopping his paws and dives in for a snuggle. He sort of bats his paws around like a cat. It is soooo cute! And a wonderful way to greet the new day.

Big mistake, no leash in the snow

Last night I let Sunshine out without a trailing leash. It was a big mistake since I couldn't catch him to bring him back in. I know he wanted to come in as he came and laid down right by the door to the garage. But would run when I went to get him. I tried treats, deli meat etc. It was a no go. Eventually I pulled out my reserve card. I got the extendable leashes, pretended we were going to a dog walk, leashed him by the back gate and brought him in.

This morning I was smarter and leashed him when he went out.

Starting Down in the upstairs

Today we started Down in the upstairs bedroom. The hand motion to lure this one has always worked for me and it worked with Sunshine. Were still working on Sit in other areas of the house but have most luck in the areas he is most secure in. However I did get a Sit in the yard this morning which let me know I could progress to Down.

5 ft in the garage!

Today I got Sunshine to come 5 ft into the garage to eat his breakfast. I will continue trying to lure him to the house door. So far he will only go that far when on a leash. But were making progress!

The last 3 days Sunshine has spent almost all day outside. I go out every now and them to see if I can leash him to come in. Sometimes he lets me but most time he doesn't. Eventually I get him in.

Sunshine and the garage door - ongoing saga

Our biggest challenge with Sunshine is getting him to go in and out of the house. Sunshine will now peak his head into the garage door. I've tried luring him with treats, feeding him in the doorway and today, just today, got him to come in about 1.5 ft. to eat his breakfast. But this is progress so I'm happy.

In memory of Princess, my darling. Feb. 10, 2010

Double click on the image for easier reading.


Princess fought a courageous fight against cancer which she lost Feb. 10th, 2010. We love her deeply and will miss her forever. Beautiful zen-like gentle soul. Strong spirit.

Fearful dog book

I'm currently reading
Help for Your Fearful Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide to Helping Your Dog Conquer His Fears
by Nicole Wilde

This is my third fearful dog book and I really like this one.

Clicking the leashes together

I've noticed that Sunshine startles when we are out for walks when the extendable leashes click together. As a result I've started to do it randomly and when Sunshine is engaged in good sniffs. This technique of desensitization is mentioned in the fearful dog book I'm currently reading.

We have sit in two places on the main floor

We've been working on Sit. Upstairs the boy does really well as he is most comfortable there. Downstairs we've gotten it in two places. The area I feed him in and one place in the entry. Were working on generalizing it by moving it a couple of feet but he runs back to his safe spot before sitting. Tis Ok. We treat for that anyways. :-)

Blossom having fun with Sunshine

Blossom loves to freak Sunshine out by going in the tunnel and back out again. Sunshine feels the tunnel is a big bad yellow monster. Blossom will run in and out, stand in the opening, playbow to Sunshine, run back in etc. Hopefully Sunshine will eventually be able to go in himself. He seems to be getting more used to its presence since he will pass closer to it in the yard.

Sunshine regularly comes to the living room now. He does it cautiously, ready to bolt at any moment, with his head, ears and tail down. But he does it!

My little bush trimmer

Sunshine loves to chew off any branches in his way. As a result the bushes are all getting a nice little trim at his level.