Papillon Kisses

OMG GUYS. WE ARE UP TO TASK 15!

Yes yes yes! He's off to a Maremma Rescue Farm.

Yeah I just tried clicking on it too and the link had disappeared. I'll try to find it again.

Haha!

Scottie says to tel Mal we'll post his over. Is it OK if it's been spat out on the floor before we pack it up and send it? I am sure he would approve but AQIS may object. :laugh: Speaking of spitting out food though, Malcolm spat out corvus' treats in training and gave a look of disgust. :rofl:

I have used pieces of steamed pumpkin as rewards. :laugh:

In our Introduction to Nosework class, the instructor often had Malcolm run first. It was explained that because he loved it so much, he would leave a bunch of happy hormones in the room for the anxious Labrador that followed him, and that these smells would help the Lab relax. I found it delightful that my dog reactive boy could help another of his kind. :) That Labrador was very anxious at first. He'd flatten himself to the ground if another human walked near him. He was all crouched up and tentative as if walking on ice and he was even scared of the boxes. By the end his whole demeanor had changed. His body language was loose, he had a happy tail wag, and he even let he instructor pat him. That Malcolm may have played a small part in that makes me happy. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Thistle comes along. :)

Scottsmum we have converted another! :D In all seriousness though, I am so excited for Thistle! I have seen some amazing transformations in shy or anxious dogs when they start nosework. :)

I have written a response in your other thread but just wanted to say please don't go. You can absolutely stay whether you have purebred or crossbred dogs. This forum of course promotes purebred dogs, but there a number of us with cross/mix bred dogs. I had a Papillon in the past but currently have a rescue Chihuahua x, and I have never felt less than welcome. :) Sending love to you in the difficult time.

I'm so sorry Isabel for the loss of your treasured girl. My heart aches for you and I admit that there have been tears shed on your behalf. I remember the first post I saw about Jindi, when you were trying to find boots for her. I was struck by your devotion and love for your girl, and how you'd move heaven and earth to keep her as comfortable as possible in the limited time she had left. It is clear to me that you did just that, including choosing the right time to give your little angel her wings. Darling Jindi, you will always be a good girl and you go with so much love.

Haha! What a champ.

I mostly use small cubes of chicken breast or kangaroo sausage, but sometimes discounted meat or leftover steak or roast meat. I also make salmon/tuna crack/fudge. I'll try to find the recipe but it's basically salmon or tuna mixed with flour (I process oats to make oat flour) and eggs then baked in the oven as a slab. For Christmas last year we bought Malcolm a whole dried salmon head, which I then broke off into small pieces/shards. I used this for counter conditioning and desensitisation vs. other training. It was exceptionally high value but too messy for other work. I tried using (skinned) BBQ chicken once but it made him much too thirsty. ETA: not the exact recipe but it's basically this: https://www.dogsenseonline.com/dog-treat-recipe/ You can vary the amount of eggs and flour to make it softer or firmer.

Beautiful big boofer. :)

There's also Susan Garrett's crate games.

If anyone has any recent-ish experience with SABS would you please PM me? Our veterinary behaviourist has recommended that we see them for a second opinion and I have some questions. Thank you.

Yeah, I'm cognisant of that too having had horrific discontinuation syndrome before. Our VBs recommendation is for us to go to SABS. If anyone has any recent-ish experience with SABS please PM me. I feel sick. I wish I didn't choose stupid "balanced" trainer when I first brought Malcolm home at three. I may have thrown out the worst of their 'advice' but now he's 10 and can't get better.

Trust your instincts. x

OMG! You are so lucky! That class is run by a DOL Superstar!

Yes! Do it!

Will these help improve her sense of smell? :) It takes her at least 5-10 seconds to find a piece of meat outside that i've put right in front of her! (I was attempting the loose leash walking technique where you drop food behind you and walk ahead) she is only a little better inside It will improve her scent detection, but the funny thing about scent is that their experience of it is so much richer than ours. Sometimes a dog may need to go out to a different spot in order to catch the 'source' (of the scent) that was right in front of them. She's cleverer than you think.

Scent games! We specifically do Nosework, but there are some generic games here: http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/8-fun-scent-games-your-dog-will-love/80052

Some recent Nosework fun!

You could also use superglue instead of sewing.

Oh, I'm so sorry TC. I'm glad we've taken it super slow for Malcolm then. We went to the length of having half strength capsules made up.

You could try a calendula tea rinse. It seems to help Malcolm when he gets itchy from grass.