Lyla is changing everyday. Yesterday, she learned how to undo the latch on the gate outside. She was so excited when she ran into the front yard. She ran in huge circles non-stop. Then when I put her in the crate, she somehow undid the latch on it, too.
She was doing so well on her walk, but things are changing. Grace came home with the dog tags in her hand. Lyla had pulled so hard on the leash, she had stretched the metal ring into a skinny u-shape and broke free. She wanted to play with the dog next door.
That was the day I told Levi it was time for him to start rollerblading with her. He loves anything that makes him go fast and he is very good on skates so Lyla is a perfect fit. He is supposed to take her once or twice a day and then when we walk Lyla, she will have some of her energy used up.
Lyla still has to be on a leash around new people, especially little ones. She wants to play so much it hurts (them).
She can officially destroy anything she gets her teeth on. My Mom's shoes were gone in no time.
If she knows or thinks we have food, she is a perfectly well behaved dog. So, I am constantly looking the the next great treat for her. I am applying what I learned in a behavior modification class I took when Grace was 2. Reward good behavior and gradually, randomly take away the reward, until they do not know when they will get the reward, but continue the behavior in the hopes that this will be the time.
I am hoping Lyla helps me get in shape. As I said before, the Dog Whisperer says that a dog need two 45 minute walks a day. We are working up to that with her. She gets 2-4 short (10 min) walks a day. Sometimes I jog part of that time, which I would not be doing if Lyla didn't need it.
3 comments:
4 mos already ?! WOW. Time flies. I was just looking at the pics in the previous post. Lyla is a great looking dog. She looks so happy/healthy. I like her name too.
Hey Randi Sue, have you tried the Kong dog toys? Nanners always loved those things, and they helped her calm down some. It's a toy you stuff full of either treats or even peanut butter, and it takes them a while to get the stuff out.
For large dogs, our boxer dogs included, choke chain collars are a great training tool to use to get dogs to "heel"...b/c Lyla won't stay a "puppy" for long...and who can stand having a 70 lb. dog take you for walk and possibly rip your arm (or your child's) out of it's socket. Just an idea...it's been very successful on our end.
Heather
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