Nail clipping

Let's be clear, the B's hate having their nails cut.  The only way to do it was to wave a really tasty treat in front of their nose, have one person grab and hold them in a bear hug while the other quickly clipped nails as fast as possible.  Then it was a case of letting them scrabble down to solid ground and to safety and wolf down the treat.  So fair to say it was a stressful event for everyone involved.  In fact it was so stressful we often put off the task for weeks on end.

This weekend it was clear their nails needed trimming and I was home alone with no partner in crime.  I considered doing both the bear hug and clipping myself but quickly realised that was never going to work.  Luckily I found a super easy way to do it all by myself.

I sat down next to them and cut up half a dried chicken sausage into tiny pieces.  The noise and the smell was enough to get their attention and before I'd finished they were both lying at my feet waiting for the treats.  So all I did was pick up a paw and give a treat.  Then I clipped one nail and again gave a treat.  And that was it.  They both sat there quite happily while I picked up a paw in turns and clipped a nail.  No struggling, no squealing and no stress.  All I can say is thank you for greedy dogs.

Training two dogs together

Decided today that I need to get back into a training regime for the B's.  This was after standing around for 10mins this morning waiting for the little monsters to come back after disappearing into someones garden.  So as with almost everything I do now I started at the usual place - Google.  After a bit of searching found this great YouTube video about how to train more than one dog at a time.

First thing I did was cut up a hotdog as I didn't think the usual kibble would cut it for this session.  I then started by calling their respective names and giving them a piece of hotdog.  I then worked on having one of them stay while working on simple tricks with the other.  It took them a few tries to get it right and by the end of the short session I had them responding individually to there names and commands.  Not sure it was a fluke as they are still super tired from daycare so will continue this over the next few days before moving forward.

Doggy Daycare

I've started taking the B's to a doggy daycare and can report it's a raging success.  Originally I didn't think this was an option as Bella would get nervous and anxious around other dogs (ducks = curious; chickens = let's play; dogs = what the heck is that thing!) but a weekend away with friends and their dog showed me that it might be possible.

After an initial consultation day where she had no issues they now go once or twice a week.  I get regular pictures and videos and can see they both love it, running around playing crazy tag, playing with other dogs and lots of wagging tails.  And the best thing - they are absolutely knackered when they get back!

Surprisingly it looks like Bella is the manic, active one and Benji is the calmer, reserved one when they are at daycare.  This is bizarre and it's like they do a Freaky Friday switch when they get there then switch back when they get home.  Speaking to other dog owners it sounds like this is pretty normal that the active dog at home is more reserved at daycare and vice versa so I'm not worried.

Benji is currently curled up at my feet in a patch of sunshine and Bella is lounging in the garden - doggy daycare rules!

Looking good

Yep, the B's are there usual selves and the evidence of the chocolate orgy is starting to appear.  Looks like they both got to the choccies.  I wanted to be sure, who knows why, and must have looked like one of those bizarre-o dog owners who pick up and start examining their dog's poo in the park before satisfactorily if disgusted bagging it up.

Other than the colourful poops the only symptom is Benji seems to be sleeping more than usual but that could be due to the Adaptil diffusers I've died round the house in preparation for Bonfires Night.

I'm just thankful it wasn't the Green & Black's 80%.

Chocolate badness

Today Benji managed to find half box of Quality Streets and scarfed the lot.  I popped out for an hour and when I came home the only evidence was a shredded box.  Not a single chocolate or chocolate wrapper to be seen.

As it's not the first time he's found and eaten chocolate I am concerned but not panic stricken like the first time.  I know there's not going to be much theobromine, the toxic ingredient, in these chocolates but they're packed with sugar and fat.  Silly rabbit has a rubbish sense of smell but can always hunt out the stuff that will kill him.  He seems normal enough so far so I'll just keep an eye on him. 

Bella may well have eaten some too.  She's currently sleeping but as that's her usual behaviour again I'm not overly warned.

Fingers crossed they'll be fine as I really don't want two poorly border terriers on my hands.

Agility rules

Have been taking Benji to agility classes now for several weeks to get him used to being on lead around other dogs. He's a bit better but still pretty sensitive especially around boisterous dogs.  However he loves the agility exercises and "graduated" top of the class - yay!

Training days

I meant to keep a complete diary here of my dog training attempts but life got in the way of that plan.  So instead just to remind myself, I had the behaviorist in four weeks ago to understand Benji's leash reactivity.  It was well needed as he'd started barking at everything when on the lead - dogs, trucks, birds.  The behaviorist had lots of good advice and suggestions and drew up a training plan for Benji and Bella.

So it's been four weeks and I have to say it's been a success.  Yes he still barks and lunges sometimes but it's a marked improvement.  Bella is getting more confident too which is wonderful.

For the past month I've been walking them separately to focus on their different needs.  This afternoon was the first time I took them both out together and it felt great.  Sun shining, dogs playing, no barking!  Admittedly I avoided other dogs and people but still feels like a successful walk.