Kitties are fun to run after

Although we had let Diesel have a pee early in the morning, it was around 11 am by the time i was ready to go out with the kids to let Diesel play. There was also Misty that had gone out earlier and wouldn't answer the call to come in before we went out. so after about 3 throws, Diesel spotted Misty coming back out of the woods. I had nothing to hold him back and he just ran like mad after her. He was pretty much barking at a tree by the time my own barking convinced him to let go and come back. end of game back in house. For Diesel at least. I went back out and found Misty some 15-20 feet up in a tree meowing each time i called her. but wouldn't come down. Then the phone, that i took out with me, rang. i ran to the house to get better reception. It was Andy getting the tire changed and letting me know he'd be back soon. I couldn't find Misty after that and we went back in to have lunch. Diesel finally decided to have breakfast just before we went in town for some appointment, and took him with us. We got him a new collar, a double thickness, so hopefully it will last him. the first one we got was way too big, the second one too small, so this time i made sure it was gonna fit.

One lady that gives pet tips on radio every weeks has a kennel, is a professional dog trainer and also a website where you can find tips and even some free download on basic training. and she recommend a slip chain collar. for training purpose. but at one of the pet food store we were told they might work but there was some other kind of collar that worked better and didn't press on their windpipe but we had to get him fitted for it. it just pinch when they pull, they don't like it and quickly learn to stop pulling. they asked me to take him out for a walk around the driveway before to buy it and it was like walking with a totally different dog. much different then the collar that wrapped around the snout and although the slip chain worked, it still not as effective as the pincher. hopefully it will only be needed for a short time. I'm trying to learn at the dog psychology level, so all of this become unnecessary. I've started to watch The Dog Whisperer, and it seem that training is not even the issue, it's how to be the pack leader for your canine friend.

i've started to apply some of what i've heard from peoples who watched it and told me about it and some stuff it reminded me of, that i've heard in the past. like:

• never let your dog come in the house before you, you go, then invite him in.
• when the dog stays home, don't go greet him when you come in. ignore him and when he's calm and you're ready, then invite him to see you.
• mix his food with your hands, so he get your sent in his food

I also noticed once, that he started running like crazy after his frenzy in the snow and it was in circle around me. then he stopped at me and started barking in a way i found intimidating. so i figured that circling had something to do with assertion and i started doing that to him. it seem to work. will have to learn more about it, see if my instinct are correct on that.

so with all that, i find he's a little more calm and start listening to me when i ask him to sit in different situations. one thing i noticed from the get go, is that he would only listen to me if i am standing. if i sit, it goes in deaf years.

I think that since he used to live with an other dog, that pack instinct is stronger and there lye the need to learn how to be the Alpha.

any other tips? anyone has good result changing dog behaviors?

on our way back from the city, i asked that Diesel not be let out of the vehicle yet so i could try to call Misty back in. didn't' see her then, so took Diesel back in the house on a leash just in case, so he wouldn't scare her away again. not long after, Misty showed up and i was able to bring her back in. our brave little trooper.

after supper i was surprised to see Daphne come halfway up the stairs while Diesel was at the gait. she didn't stay long but it's definitely an improvement from hiding 24/7 at the furthest back of the basement.

after the kids were in bed, i took him out to play Frisbee and he start to bring it more directly in my hand this evening as opposed to drop it in front of me or somewhere on the way. but i also decided that when he start to drop it before he get to me, that he's done playing and it's time to go back in. he starts to get better at catching in flight too.