Tag Archives: Tango

Hard work pays off

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Fran on Friday

Dogs are our faithful companions.I’ve talked about Tango, my (now) 7-year-old Brussels Griffon who hated everyone and everything when I first got him at 11 months old. I’ve worked very hard ever since then to make him a civilized member of canine society. He doesn’t have to love everyone, and he certainly doesn’t have to socialize with everyone. But he does have to have manners and not try to attack everything on 2 or 4 legs.

We have a fenced back yard and let the dogs run around in the yard without leashes (except for Booker who sometimes likes to play “keep away,” but that’s a blog post for another time). We do always go out with them, because you never know if someone wandering around the neighborhood left a gate open, or if a hawk is close by.

Our next door neighbors are very tolerant people (thank goodness!) who put up with our dogs jumping on the fence, wanting to say hello to them. Tango is very loud – he barks at anything he doesn’t like, which is just about everyone and everything. And he barks at our neighbors when he sees them. Now, he is a little dog, and to most people his bark is not at all threatening, but I know that his bark signifies, “Keep away! I’m going to attack you!”

Lately, though, he’s started barking but when I call his name he comes running to me! Yes, running to me, even though he sees the neighbor! Up until a few weeks ago Tango would have ignored me and kept on barking! Of course I give him many treats and tell him what a wonderful boy he is! This is stupendous! Training really does work!

Visitors calling?

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Fran on Friday

101615_tngobkrWe had a great opportunity this morning to reinforce some training! A couple of friends stopped by to get some toys for another friend’s new dog. On Fridays I work alone here at the shop, and bring Tango and Booker (because Hope doesn’t want them at home! kidding…). We are usually able to fit in a few short training sessions during the day. Fridays tend to be less manic than other days. Tango has a history of being hostile to visitors here, but he loves being a host at home. So I turned the tables on him!

I decided that we’re home here, and he should behave himself. I armed myself and my friends with a handful of treats (very small treats so we could give a lot) and made Tango do simple behaviors. Sit, down, spin. and in no time he was responding beautifully. No insane barking. No jumping up. He watched for the next command so that he could get a treat! And of course, Booker was great as well – aside from a little shoplifting!

So, the moral of the story is – take every opportunity you can to reinforce your training. If you have visitors and they’re amenable, draft them to help with the training. Most people are more than happy to oblige!

Want to take a good picture of your dog?

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121815_tango_pcHave you ever wanted to take a good picture of your dog, only to have him wander off mid-shoot? You think you have him settled and step back for your camera and he’s nowhere to be found? This is where your training comes in. There is no command more important than, “Stay.” For taking pictures, and for life in the real world.

Say the doorbell rings, and before you can say, “Fluffy come here!” she’s out the door when your significant other answers the bell. If you had a reliable “Stay,” you could yell, “Fluffy, stay!” and she’d stay put! Otherwise, you’re running all over town trying to catch your dog. Now, I hope that never happens, but it’s a real possibility when your dog doesn’t understand what you want.

For the picture above, I know Tango is sitting on a desk chair, but he’s perfectly capable of jumping off. I told him to “Stay!” and he did! After I took a couple of pictures, I rewarded him with a couple of treats. Easy.

How to train “Stay?” Start by having your dog sit in front of you with a treat over his head. Bring the treat slowly to his mouth. If he doesn’t move – even a paw, he gets the treat. If he does move, bring the treat back up. Don’t say anything. And try again. You’ll get to the point where you can move your arm with the treat very slowly and your dog won’t move. Do this with the dog in front of you as well as on either side. That way, he’ll know that wherever you are, the exercise is the same. Start introducing the command when you’re reasonably sure the dog won’t move.

Peace reigns

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How do all your dogs get along?

Booker, Teddy and Torque

Booker, Teddy and Torque

It’s a question we hear a lot – between Fran and me, there are four dogs around; her Boston Terrier Booker and Brussels Griffon Tango, and my French Bulldogs Teddy and Torque.

The truth is – they get along great, for the most part. Tango is the oldest and really enjoys pouncing on Torque, growling and, apparently, biting him. Tango doesn’t actually have many teeth, so Torque thinks it’s pretty funny and bounces right back for more.

Torque likes to chew on ears (both human and canine), which the other dogs find annoying and let him know. He’s also the youngest, most easy-going of the bunch, and least likely to sulk or take anything to heart.

Teddy is kind of a cuddly blob. He doesn’t instigate any mischief, but is the object of both Booker and Torque’s teasing play – they’re always trying to get Teddy to join in the fun.

Booker is the most active dog in the house – which makes sense, because he’s a Boston Terrier. If you want a couch potato – this is not your breed. He’s also sweet and playful and incredibly soft – if you can get him to sit still long enough to be petted.

We haven’t (knock wood) had any serious battles among this crew – but that doesn’t mean we’ve always been immune. Many years ago we had a couple of male dogs that would, on rare occasions, get into real, serious spats. Fran made the mistake one time of reaching in and trying to pull them apart. A couple of stitches were her reward.

Ever since then, we’ve had a “puppy battle protocol” which we actually practice, just like fire drills. When you hear a dog fight, raise your hands over your head, wave them around frantically, scream like a banshee and run in the opposite direction.

It astonishes the dogs so much they break off what they’re doing and follow to see what the heck you’re up to. Works every time.