Dog First, Small Second

Nothing like playing #ensiferum and #korpiklaani off against each other (so there's so silent gap between tracks) for fireworks. How are everyone else's unscrambled brains? https://www.instagram.com/p/CHI7eIRDw2C/?igshid=c15wviso1008

#dogparkour with #scentwork items? We're progressing slowly but steadily through @theschoolofcaninescience #scentforsix course, and our next big task is to retrieve random objects scented with catnip. So far we've just been retrieving scented fluffy paintrollers and macrame fleecy toys (some are actually old duvet cover rather than fleece), but now I need to build the awareness that Cad needs to specifically identify the singular catnip scent, not catnip+fleece or catnip+cotton smells. The fun way to teach this is to scent random other household crap, so that only the catnip smell remains constant. So in the jar we have: A lovely sock he stole from me last week and tore a hole in the heel of An inhaler cover, already pocketed with toothmarks A fluffy cat toy he generally tries to pluck A jam jar lid A new folded bit of card A pre-ripped (by him) bit of card One sad leg from his favourite octopus toy A shoelace cat toy A loop of velcro A pen that's dead because he stole and chewed up the lid the other day A broken rodent water bottle lid A spare cat collar complete with bell A dried ash twig His toy tomato We've taken a long time to get to this stage as Cadvan doesn't find holding or retrieving items intrinsically reinforcing, so I had to teach the #retrieve from scratch. Convincing him to put something in his face to later spit out in return for food was HARD. If thing is in face I can't eat food? Why put thing in face in the first place?! I'm so impressed with his massive progress in such a relatively short space of time. It's doing wonders for his general self confidence and self belief too. (p.s. the #canineparkour was also a challenge, because small area slippery surface) #scentforsix #schoolofcaninescience #scentdog #scentworktraining #nosework #dogtraining #forcefreetraining #positivereinforcementtraining #workingchihuahua #smalldogsbigadventures #chihuahuauk #jackchi https://www.instagram.com/p/CFX8yYZsdML/?igshid=o77cciodxagu

whoops, I got out of the habit of checking in here. hello dogblr

We're going into the rabbity woods at 7pm without a longline, but with a fucktonne of air-dried duck treats, which Cadvan knows I have, a #nonstopreflectionblanket, and a year's worth of significant training behind us. Wish us luck 😬 https://www.instagram.com/p/CDjrSs7DnhF/?igshid=1b30x0oa60cp

I was teaching Cad the start of leg weaves this morning, as a friend had convinced me that would be cool and I figured it would help his unbalanced lateral flexion. But after a couple of minutes he asked to do some more of this instead. If Cad asks to do different training I always like to go along with him if possible, as I find it results in better engagement, and through that, improved learning. We need 'middle' as his starting position for active retrieve #scentwork, but Cadvan has HUGE anxiety regarding wanting to be able to look at me head on during training at all times. When I first homed him he didn't want to engage with choice-based leaning at all, and this is one of our last hangups from that. Staring at a washer on the floor for #scentforsix for several months has helped, but it's still anxiety-inducing for him. So I've been sloooowly teaching this independently for a few weeks now. Started with capturing outside in the garden, then moving to nose target with a hand cue he already knows from #dogparkour. That was only partially successful though as he kept targeting my hand from in front of me, even when I tried to manipulate the environmental setup to make doing so difficult 😂 The other day I introduced a side target (his right ribs to my right leg) in addition to the nose target, and that's really helped him nail the position. Today, with his request that we work on this, I straightened up a little, and also added the vocal cue. Very pleased to see in the replay how waggy his tail is. #dogtraining #clickertraining #positivereinforcementtraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining #forcefreetraining #rewardbasedtraining #choicebasedtraining #trickdog #targettraining #scentworktraining #nosework #schoolofcaninescience #sportsdog #dogsports #nonstopdogwear https://www.instagram.com/p/CCn7LuwlivZ/?igshid=dvwcbdagh63q

Not to name names, but *someone* did a full on faceplant at speed into the deepest part of the beck today 😂 I was standing on the far side of the water near the fence line. The grass is uncut on both sides there, mainly as a deterrent to Cadvan with regards to the gap in the fence. And he just... forgot that the stream didn't suddenly end, and ran on as if it was solid land. The next time around with his zoomies he came to an emergency stop and refused to move. Frankly it was the most hilarious thing I've seen for a while! #activedogsarehappydogs #wetdogsareunhappydogs (😂) #wetdog #smalldog #littledogbigsplash #littledogbigworld #chihuahuauk #watermeadow #rewilding #petsafeharness https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_dKa_l_Lw/?igshid=1xc25cra7qqfu

Me: I don't understand why Cad has such big back leg muscles, while his shoulders are so weedy. Surely running up hills should help both ends of dog? Also me: watches clips of Cad jumping the beck from a standstill with ease. Oh yeahhhh. #fitdog #fitforfunction #activedogsarehappydogs #activedog #dogonsprings #chihuahuamix #terriermix #nonstopreflectionblanket https://www.instagram.com/p/CAoT_WXnXYj/?igshid=136qbj4jkpiqs

You know your dog's scentwork search training is coming along when you intentionally try and catch them out but they blast it anyway! This week we've been working on increasing the search area, sniffing for Kong. A few days ago Cadvan started standing on his back legs to check higher up, so in response I started hiding bits higher up to find and to encourage that. Up until now though, other than the initial introduction, I've set up the search on flat planes. Tonight I decided to see if I could catch him out by hiding one of the pieces in the bristles of the upturned broom in the middle of the floor. I LOVE how on his first walk past he's evidently got a whiff and decided no, that's never happened before, I must be confused. And then BAM, after sniffing up high he's like "it does smell of Kong there though..." #schoolofcaninescience #scentforsix #scentwork #nosework #scentworktraining #sportsdog #dogsports #workingchihuahua #chihuahuamix #terriermix #kongdogtoys https://www.instagram.com/p/B_8htZYlOiR/?igshid=2l822ek2n7xj

I've been using lockdown to practice Cadvan's arousal off switch. We do something gets him really amped up (in this video flirt pole with a rabbit hide, tonight we played bitey faces), and then I do flirt pole with Moril and expect Cad to ignore the thing he would otherwise chase. Rewards are kibble flicked his way, with sniffing for the kibble an outside bonus. I've put a filter on so you can more clearly see what Cad's doing, and yes I did accidentally whack him on the bum in the second clip 😂 With our #scentforsix homework and this in quick succession, he's now fast asleep on the armchair! #flirtpole #catenrichment #playwithyourcat #domorewithyourcat #purrsinourhearts #rewardbased #impulsecontrol #snackfeedernotpackleader #snackleadernotpackleader https://www.instagram.com/p/B_nmowLllYp/?igshid=1idrcyaye3uvd

Excuse me? I HAVE AN URGENT QUESTION #s46 #scentforsix #schoolofcaninescience #scentworktraining #scentwork #nosework #kongdogtoys https://www.instagram.com/p/B_dLk4KjQD9/?igshid=4am0wlhjvjpt

This weekend we've mostly been excitedly staring at the floor, and playing dressing up (as a show Yorkie, clearly) @theschoolofcaninescience #scentwork #nosework #s46 #scentforsix #scentworktraining #positivereinforcement #schoolofcaninescience #dogbath #rolledinstinkystuff #chihuahuamix #terriermix https://www.instagram.com/p/B_N_KztFi5x/?igshid=19ba79lvhsans

The metalwork on Cadvan's lovely grey rolled house collar from @petiquettecollars has snapped so, for this morning at least, he is naked. He's usually only naked after baths, and currently looks SO WEIRD. It's clearly not a great time to be collarless as the risks relating to him getting out and then getting lost are way high in lockdown. He has a couple of spare collars, but one rubs his neck at the front, and one breaks his coat, so not ideal. Just need to... find one... #petiquettecollars #dogsofyorkshire #yorkshiredogs #chihuahuamix #terriermix #smalldog #nakeddog https://www.instagram.com/p/B_HqmDOFTYv/?igshid=1ql56h4j449jd

Cadvan's had a busy day. While the most memorable part of my day was standing on a nettle in bare feet, backing up and standing on a different, smaller, nettle, and then putting my other foot on that same smaller nettle. #dogsofyorkshire #yorkshiredogs #gardendog #villagelife #flirtpole #canineconditioning #canineenrichment #terriermix #chihuahuamix #nonstopdogwear #nonstopreflectionblanket https://www.instagram.com/p/B_AreLclVN7/?igshid=m2ouabk6ldp0

Today for our Sunday Funday of @aniedireland's #100daysofenrichment we revisited day 25's destruction and dissection with a @feednaturaw tub. Cadvan loooooves to perform end of prey sequence behaviours like deathshakes, plucking, gutting, dissecting. It's his terrier genes coming out, and I try and facilitate that as much as possible. His toys are his to do as he likes with, and I try and buy and offer toys that allow him to engage in those behaviours in the first place. He's also allowed to rip some things up. However the rules for the game are that it has to be safe for him, easy for me to tidy up, and also not destroying enrichment meant for my many rodents. Unfortunately a lot of his preferred versions of the game don't fit this. This is A Problem because part of me managing chronic illness life is that I just... don't have the energy to spare for cleanup of dog fun as then both my other animals and my self care suffers. Over the winter it's really hard, and I'm forever 'practicing' his leave cue over unsuitable items that he seems to magic out of the air. But once the outside warms up a whole new easy-tidy environment becomes available - woo! The Naturaw tubs are particularly good for this. They're plastic free, but rather than being made from cardboard they're made from sugarcane pulp. This is great for defrosting the raw itself (no leaks), but also means the resulting surface is textured. Know what stick to textured sugarcane? Raw mince. MorilCat might claim that ALL of the mince should be in his face, but by re-freezing the tub after portioning out, a wonderful enrichment toy is created! #canineenrichment #dogenrichment #enrichmentfordogs #rawfeddogs #rawfeddogs #terriermix #dogsofyorkshire #yorkshiredogs https://www.instagram.com/p/B-4xr43FrQO/?igshid=ik8veutwyg2m

Sunbathing is good for the soul #sunbathingdog #gardendog #dogsofyorkshire #yorkshiredogs #springissprung https://www.instagram.com/p/B-uUmz9lF57/?igshid=1queku66zu655

Personally I'm doubtful that this actually *is* Cadvan. He never plays with toys outside (other than very occasional flirt pole), and he's running in the wrong direction. It's definitely a fake. Someone's done a swap. #kongtennisball #nonstopdogwear #nonstopreflectionblanket https://www.instagram.com/p/B-hthy9FYRR/?igshid=t1hjbdvoyx7v