Month: July 2012

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Hendrix & Cooper, an introduction

So, there’s lots written (and *gasp* even conflicting opinions) on how to introduce new dogs.  Initially, I really wanted Hendrix to travel with me to Louisiana to pick up Cooper.  I thought it’d be great for them to ride home crate by crate.  However, it was such a long drive & it’s July hot.  I thought trying to juggle both dogs on such a long/hot trip might break us all.  So, Hendrix got a long play day at Rover Resort on Monday.  Then, she hung out part of Tuesday (while we were driving back) with dad as he worked from home.

As we neared home, I asked Ronald to walk Hendrix to one of the parks near our home.  I met him and Hendrix there with Cooper in tow.  Hendrix was thrilled to see me.  I think we’ve actually only spent one other night apart.  She was a little more suspicious about the little black fur ball I had with me.  I set him down, and he enthusiastically went for her.  He was sniffing and licking submissively at her muzzle and under her neck.  She stood sort of still & indifferent, but tolerated this behavior pretty well.  So, then Cooper, Hendrix and I took a short walk together (about a block) back to the house.  Hendrix was aloof and sort of led the way…she seemed slightly like “Mom, WHAT have you done?!”  Cooper enthusiastically trailed along.  When we got home, I took everyone in the back yard and we had a little short off leash visiting time.  We should’ve known to be armed and ready with the video camera.  There was more submissive & calming behaviors displayed by Cooper, and Hendrix seemed to accept him and started to give some play postures.


We did capture this footage, but we missed the cute doggy donut laps Hendrix started doing around Cooper & the yard.  She kept buzzing him as she whipped by, and he looked truly impressed with her speed…maybe thinking “Whoa…none of the litter mates could do that!”

For now – they seem to be pretty accepting of and interested in each other.  I don’t think it’s age appropriate for them to have more than a few play minutes here and there.  Hendrix has staked her claim to higher rank, and she is clearly rating her play to be more gentle with the puppy.  Cooper currently accepts this scenario, but I’m sure it would only be days before he started to test her.  In the last 2/3 days, he has gotten a lot more comfortable in the new setting and has shown increased “feistiness”.  I’m sure she’d put him in his place…but I don’t want to be constantly managing that rank game.  More importantly, I don’t want him spending TOO much time bonding with the other dog in the house because I want him to believe all the awesome stuff comes from me.

So, *I* think we had a successful introduction.  We’ll see how it goes…I’m convinced the toughest part of this whole scenario is going to be juggling the two dogs at the same time.  Wish us luck!

 

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Agility Fun Match Take 2

What a night!  Little Ms Hendrix is already snoring…  We just got back from our second ever agility fun match.  We arrived just as the sun was setting, and the weather played pretty nice (for once).  We made a bee line for the sign up table, and I decided we’d do only one run on the standard course.  Next time, we may do jumpers, too.  I think we should since most courses are primarily jumps versus other obstacles.  I also signed up for the 12″ height because it would happen earlier than the shorter heights.  12″ will probably be Hendrix’ competition height, and she generally has not problem clearing it (I’ve recently started always practicing at 12″ or 14″ anyway).  Then we made the rounds saying hello to all our What A Great Dog! friends.  Ronald & I set up camp…just a few soft chairs & a water dish initially.  Then, I decided we should bring out the crate & see how Hendrix would behave crated in all the hubbub.  The hour or so we waited for our turn, she was mostly good.  She made sure to throw in the occasional stranger bark; but overall, I was really pleased with how she was behaving in the crate.  Our crate game work has definitely paid off!  There were moments where I could even leave the door open and she would not rush out.  She did get a little anxious if she saw I was paying attention to other dogs while she was in the crate (jealousy?).

As our group (jump height) approached, I took Hendrix over to practice a start line stay & jump just outside the ring entrance.  She stayed…and I said “jump”…she looked at me…and then ran for me…then ran off.  Fortunately, some friendly dog owners nearby helped me corral her pretty quickly.  So, we went back to watching from the crate.  After that, I was prepared for the worst…I thought she was bound to just run off & zoom.  When our turn came, I opened the gate & entered.  It’s nice that this fun match features dog proof fencing around the ring.  I took her slip lead off immediately, but I realize now – I should’ve waited until we got situated in front of the first obstacle.  She wouldn’t budge from the corner by the gate for sniffing the grass.  Now, I had REALLY LOW expectations.  No attempts on my part seemed to redirect her attention.  So, I went over and picked her up, and set her down in front of the first jump.  I think I saw an honest to goodness doggie lightbulb.  She practically beamed with “OH!  THIS is what we’re doing!  A-ha!”  So, I asked her to stay, and led off.  I returned & rewarded her for the stay.  I asked her to stay again, and led off then we went jump and full height dog walk.  She nailed those.  I hesitated thinking what I wanted to set up next.  Since this is only our second time in a “real” course, I was not really following the course as directed.  I was just picking and choosing for the sake of real competition like experience.  In my moment’s hesitation, I lost her to smelling the grass again…but only briefly.  I got her back and I was able to send her over a jump and then bring her over another.  Then it was A-frame, tunnel, tire, and table.  Those were all in a pretty straight line (or curve) so she nailed those.  Because I liked her energy on that sequence, I sent her back through after the pause on the table…tire, tunnel, A-frame and we got the two jumps again.  At that point, I heard “30 seconds”, and I said “We’re good!”  We headed toward the gate, and Hendrix started mugging with the crowd.  It was a crowd of WAGD! folk and Ronald…guess that’s why she was interested.  I got her attention and her slip lead on & off we went.

Here’s a little video clip of tonight’s action –

It’s clear this little gal loves her agility!  I’m really proud of how she stayed with me (ON GRASS!!!) and didn’t get the zoomies.  I loved seeing that she LOVES the big full height contact obstacles, and LOVED that I was able to handle her through the turn in the 2 jump series (both times).  I think it’s only a matter of time before we can run a full course.  Honestly, I think it’s more about me learning footwork and handling skills than Hendrix learning anything.  Once I set her on a course, she’s a fast little booger!  This time we skipped the weaves (Hendrix hasn’t done 12 poles yet) and the full height teeter (though I think she might’ve done that one).

All in all – a great fun with the little four legged one & all our training friends!