Tinsel's Journey

Tinsel

I so enjoy reading your posts everyday!!!It warms my heart and makes for a great day to see how he has come so far!!Are we all invited to the party?:smile2:
 
I enjoy these posts on "Tinsel's Journey" as well.

What a great Mommy you are! Tinsel is very fortunate to now have the "good life" with you.
 
So we went to orientation tonight at Mindful Behaviours - a Karen Pryor certified instructor. Tinsel got to stay home so we could be taught. To demonstrate shaping she asked for a volunteer. I've been accused of being a B&*$% before so I thought - why not?? Well, there I was being clicked at as I moved in the right direction with no click if I went too far. Several times I thought she was sending me to a certain point only to discover that I was wrong. Finally I ended up were she wanted me, nose pointed into the wall. This was to demonstrate why we need to break up each portion of the exercise into small bits so as not to confuse the dog or why we need to be prepared before teaching a new behaviour by thinking out all the components of a behaviour. At least I didn't end up being shaped to lift my leg like one girl was. Even with prior knowledge of this form of teaching a dog, I learned a lot tonight. Get some rest my dear little dog, I'm itching to try out the suggestions she gave me tonight for dealing with some of your issues.
 
Get some rest my dear little dog, I'm itching to try out the suggestions she gave me tonight for using the skill to help US. fixerated :biggrin2:
 
Tagg, my heart goes out to you for what you have done with Tinsel. From that hearbreaking beginning through such a heartwarming journey. You deserve all the love that the little guy will give you. Thank you for your story.
 
Thanks David. Hope I can live up to the expectations.
I tried the first shaping behaviour today. The object of the game is that he is not to lick or touch my hand to get the treats out of it but instead to wait for me to offer and allow. This is the first step to teaching what is his and what is MINE as well as not stealing cookies from kids or counter surfing - you get the picture. I put a handful of tiny little pieces of chicken weiner in my closed left fist and had the trusty clicker in my right. Right away he was licking and trying to shove his nose into my closed fist. When he would stop and look at me I captured his movement and clicked then gave him one. Back to nosing etc and then a stop, click, treat. It took about 2 minutes for him to figure out that if he just looks and waits he gets the click which =a treat. It took him about another 10 seconds to start wagging his tail and showing me that he is enjoying this new game. No verbal cues are given yet. After about 5 minutes we ended the game. Trust me, he watched my every move for about an hour hoping we could play again. We will Tinsel but not until this afternoon. He and Phoebe curled up together on the comfort bed so sweetly. Phoebe, the westie, was laying stretched out on her tummy with her front legs straight out and her head resting on them. Tinsel drew up beside her and laid on his side so that his spine was snugged right up along her body length and his head was resting firmly against hers. Together they had a good sleep. I only wish I could have gotten a picture - he was sooooo peaceful and she is soooo happy to have a dog she can cuddle with again.
 
Tagg said:
Thanks David. Hope I can live up to the expectations.
I tried the first shaping behaviour today. The object of the game is that he is not to lick or touch my hand to get the treats out of it but instead to wait for me to offer and allow. This is the first step to teaching what is his and what is MINE as well as not stealing cookies from kids or counter surfing - you get the picture. I put a handful of tiny little pieces of chicken weiner in my closed left fist and had the trusty clicker in my right. Right away he was licking and trying to shove his nose into my closed fist. When he would stop and look at me I captured his movement and clicked then gave him one. Back to nosing etc and then a stop, click, treat. It took about 2 minutes for him to figure out that if he just looks and waits he gets the click which =a treat. It took him about another 10 seconds to start wagging his tail and showing me that he is enjoying this new game. No verbal cues are given yet. After about 5 minutes we ended the game. Trust me, he watched my every move for about an hour hoping we could play again. We will Tinsel but not until this afternoon. He and Phoebe curled up together on the comfort bed so sweetly. Phoebe, the westie, was laying stretched out on her tummy with her front legs straight out and her head resting on them. Tinsel drew up beside her and laid on his side so that his spine was snugged right up along her body length and his head was resting firmly against hers. Together they had a good sleep. I only wish I could have gotten a picture - he was sooooo peaceful and she is soooo happy to have a dog she can cuddle with again.
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There will be more comfortable times like this. Maybe you will be able to get a picture then. Great has Phoebe for a "buddy" , and vice versa.

Thanks for the update.
 
I'm going to have to post a picture of Tinsel but haven't figured out how. Maybe I'll just have to get hubby to do it.
Tinsel has now figured out that when I make his kong with a small amount of peanut butter on the rim of the hole it is time for bed and goes in by himself. Just another little thing that makes life simpler for us caretakers. While he liked playing in the snow today his poor little feet started to freeze up and he just laid down and tried to make them feel better with his little tongue. I called him in and he gratefully ran back to the house and his warm bed.
His second training session went really well. He tried to nose my hand once and then the light bulb moment happened and he went back to just looking at me and waiting. Time to up the ante so we are now putting yummy treats between my fingers and he understood quickly that the same rules apply. Good boy Tinsel. Tomorrow, after a refresher, we will add a verbal cue of MINE as I offer my hand with the food and and if he ignores the food or makes eye contact I will click and say TAKE IT as I give him the treat. Simple steps to help him with self control and giving me his attention.
 
I got my first and second walk to the door to the outside from Tinsel today without having to carry him even one step. Of course he waited until I had told the coordinator of sheltie rescue that he still won't do it. Oh well, I am not complaining. It took a lot of waiting and clicking with his treat reward but he did it. I pray that this is the beginning of him really getting the message that he can walk out under his own steam so that I can attach some bells to the door and teach him how to let me know that he wants to go out.
So far we've had no bowel movements in the house but about 6 pees in the same number of weeks. Overall I am pleased that this ex stud dog is doing so well. The challenges we face with him are outweighed by the life and joy we now glimpse in him and his willingness to try and learn. He seems to enjoy our training sessions and my friend is sending me recipes for yummy "special" treats for extra effort times. My family will be shaking their collective heads. I hate cooking and do it begrudgingly. However, I will cook and bake if it makes a difference to the wee boy.
 
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