She asked for the door!!! And other canine and owner accomplishments.

**mommy4ever** · 03-20-2009, 02:48 PM

Today, after me doint the grab and dash with Gizmo for a week, she has started asking to go out!!

I have a 10 second window of opportunity to pick her up before she squats. But she is ASKING! That's a great beginning!

We also did her nails for the first time today. I don't think htey were ever done as the dewclaw was really long. A couple weeks ago I got a dremel pet tool. I used it for Bella and she fought hard, but less than with the clippers. So today, I sat down with Gizmo to do hers. First I let her get used to the sound, then gave her a massage with it..lol. She liked that. But when I started filing down her nails, she started to fight and I was trying to reward her when she wasn't, when I had an epiphany! I called dd11 over to help. I had her slowly give gizmo treats while she laid on her back in my arms. I was able to do all her nails without her pulling once while dd helped me. So, this is what we'll do. It was a totally pleasant experience for Gizmo, she got snuggles and treats along with her pedicure. What more could a girl ask for? Now if Bella were so easy.

I also learned something else with Bella. Bella has a jumping issue....she loves to jump...over the baby gates onto me, she jumps high enough to hit me in the chest or shoulders and at 18 lbs, if I'm not ready, I lose my balance. I've done what the trainers have told me. Twist away so she sails right past. Didn't work, that became a game fast for her. Did the old school, raised my knee so she'd crash into the knee... made it a challenge for her, she jumped higher. Did the hold the paws until she pulls away. She just got wired about it. I was thinking *hopeless mutt* lol.

But I did a little splurge and took on a membership at pet training site.... And there was 1 more thing to try.... The cha cha. Yes it sounds funny. I looked at the jumping issue. He suggested the paw holding. The TTL - don't touch, talk or look at the dog. This does work, but she still does jump a few times. The last method her recommended for reactive dogs, terriers, pits, etc. And I laughed at him. WELL.... little did I know. The method is when the dog does jump, you cha cha cha toward them. Quick steps toward them. Your body does the pushing, not your hands, so they don't react the same. Well, Bella jumped a few times,and I did this, and she just sat there looking at me with that WTF look on her face. When she calmed she got a treat and a good rub down. When the kids got home, of course she's excited and started jumping at the door. I had 4 kids coming in. Before I unlocked the screen door, I told them what to do. She jumped on each of them once and they did it, and she just sat there. When she calmed, they were able to pet her without the wild thing jumping all over! This morning she forgot, and went to jump on me, and I did the cha cha again. And that ended her efforts. I was aware she wanted to and as she came rushing, I went toward her and she put on the breaks!

So a few breakthroughs today. Now if we could deal with Bella's timidity of men.... that would be great.

**nancycg56** · 03-20-2009, 02:54 PM

My JRT is a jumper, too. It's a never-ending battle with him ~ he's a typical terrier with all the stubbornness that comes with it

When he has to go out, he barks and runs in circles, LOL!

**mommy4ever** · 03-20-2009, 02:59 PM

Both my dogs are terrier mixes(Schnauzer). So there's that. Gizmo barely barks, but whines and howls about not being with me..lol. Bella is a barker to some extent. I need to work with her on that.

I'm partially to blame. I worked alot with her the first 4 or 5 months we had her, then kinda dropped the ball. I've started working with her again, and it has made a big difference in her attitude, and in correcting some behaviors.

**beks37** · 03-20-2009, 03:01 PM

The cha cha....who would've thought!

**dcompton** · 03-20-2009, 11:05 PM

Making progress. Gismo is going to be one spoiled puppy for sure.

**fixer** · 03-22-2009, 10:24 PM

Bravo!!!!! Our puppy has started asking also and it feels wonderful. He also jumps. I have always broke our dogs of this habit by stepping on their back feet while they are jumping. I don't stomp, I just apply light pressure. They always immediately come down. After a while, they stop.