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Post by DogGoneGood on Mar 3, 2009 12:50:42 GMT -5
Yeah... well I think with Shelby I could probably take the muzzle off but Dan I wouldn't chance it. I can tell Linkin's still a little weary of him, especially upon the first meet. I think if I get to the point where I feel I can take the muzzle off we'll probably still do treats with the muzzle on and then take it off for the rest of the walk and kind of starting from square one again, where I'm between him and the kids. I really don't want to take ANY chances. I know I have very quick reflexes and a can read my dog well but I want to make as many POSITIVE experiences with these kids as possible and I especially don't want anyone getting hurt!
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Post by DogGoneGood on Mar 18, 2009 16:54:23 GMT -5
Well, I haven't given an update in a while because there hasn't been much to update about. My sister Anna was here for a week and then it was too cold for a couple days, and then I got this horrible cold... so there hasn't really been too much to update about.
But I was able to get out today, and there was a very BIG improvement and something to brag about, so here's the update since the last time I posted here about it...
Sunday, March 1, 2009 - Sunday, March 8 2009: No walk due to Weekends and Anna being here.
Monday, March 9, 2009: It was around -22 today so it was too cold to do a full walk. We met the kids a bit down Schram and did the usual treat giving routine. Linkin showed absolutely no aggression. I was a little worried about taking a week off but he appeared to be perfectly fine, despite this. In fact, he was wiggling, dancing, and excited to see the kids. We walked to about Shelby's place and then turned back. I had a bit of second thoughts because for one, Linkin needs all the exposure (and exercise) he can get, and I also felt bad leaving Dan to walk the rest of the way by himself in the cold. However, not soon after turning for home Linkin started limping from the cold so I'm glad we didn't do the full walk, I knew he wouldn't be able to handle it. Tuesday, March 10, 2009: No walk due to weather. Wednesday, March 11, 2009: No walk due to weather. Thursday, March 12, 2009: No walk due to training appointment. Friday, March 13, 2009: No walk due to this horrible cold I'm fighting. Saturday, March 14, 2009: No walk due to weekend. Sunday, March 15, 2009: No walk due to weekend.
Monday, March 16, 2009: No walk due to being horribly sick. Tuesday, March 17, 2009: No walk due to being horribly sick. Wednesday, March 18, 2009: Was able to gather enough energy to walk the kids home. It's warm enough out but SOOOO windy that walking against the wind was NOT fun. Hopefully tomorrow will be more ideal. The good news is that both kids were able to pet Linkin today. Even after the past two weeks of not really seeing them. As soon as he saw me start to get ready he knew we were going out and was extremely excited. We worked on obedience for a while on Schram until we saw the kids walking down Kring and then met them halfway. Linkin showed zero signs of aggression, and in fact was wagging his tail and happy to see them. So I asked the kids if they'd like to pet him. He had no issues with Shelby petting him, and was more focused on Dan (as to be expected). I told Dan not to pet him over the head, as that can be viewed as threatening, and instead to let him sniff him and then pet his shoulder and chest area. Both kids were giving him light pets while I stroked him and kept telling him "Good boy Linkin, good boy". The petting lasted maybe 30 seconds and then I called it off as I didn't want to overwhelm him and like I've stated before, the more positive experiences the better. Gave Linkin LOTS of praise and put him back into a heel and we walked home. I'm very proud of him, as not a single hair on his back stood up during the kids petting him or anything. He was still obviously wary and interested in Dan especially, but was a VERY Good boy.
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