Training, training, training.

Life is changing for Mr. Burke. We had our second training session on Monday - and boy, when I woke up Tuesday, my back felt it! As we've put more pressure on him to obey at a new level, some behaviors kicked up in the session - behaviors we haven't seen since puppyhood. Jumping up on us, mouthing our arms, and barking. Temper tantrums, really.

The method we're using is positive training. But when he was really bad and we couldn't settle him, she put him on a very short tether tied to the wall. Then I had to approach him and make him sit. This way, he had to obey and there was no way he could jump up on me and mouth. This sobered him up VERY quickly and then he got to come off the tether.

This week we got a handout with some basic things to do with Burke, things to work on. There's a lot, and I realize how far we have to go, and wish I'd started working with a professional sooner. Although he's really, really good in some ways, there are some things we did wrong with the initial training, so we're pretty much starting over (though I expect we'll move through more quickly than someone who has done no training with their pup at all). I also love the individual/private session format, because I really couldn't deal with the pace of a class right now.

Finally, neutering is on the agenda. I wanted to wait till he was grown, and then for various reasons our family has really not wanted to put Burke through getting neutered. Some rational ones, like health risks, but some not as much so, like simply wanting him to be whole and unchanged, not wanting to put him through an elective procedure, fear that his personality will change, and who knows what else. I guess I kind of saw it like every other health decision; I usually make the less-common choice. When I thought about neutering, I thought, "Why? He's a good dog and we won't let him get a dog pregnant."

The answer to why is that it will lower his reactivity, which is a big issue as far as service dog work and his potential for it, as well as just making him a better pet. If he were a super-mellow guy, it might not matter, but since he's a bit on the hyper and dominant side, hopefully the lack of testosterone will chill some of his behaviors a bit. And, we won't have to worry about him running through the electric fence if he smells a female in heat.

Next post: Jake, his IEP, his future, and everything. Sigh. I have to be in the frame of mind to write about it.