Hi everyone, it's Jake here again... with a follow-up to my first dog story, that was called "Jake's Own Story" and gave a brief biographical insight into my life so far.
Here is my update... The last two years have been busy for mom and dad, for one reason or another, but somehow they always had time for me!
Whenever they arrived home, I was always there with a big "Hello, missed you loads and it's great to have you home". I think this helped to relax them a bit…since I always got taken for walks, no matter how tired they were. We didn't go very far sometimes but I always made the most of it and would enjoy every moment. I would just be myself and as everyone knows, a dog can have a good time doing nothing.
During the summer months, which were really hot and sunny, it sometimes got a bit too hot for me. You see, as a Border Collie, I have to wear this black and white fur coat all the time!! Thankfully, the nice thing is that my Mom and Dad take me down to the beach where I can run around at the waters edge…and cool down!
They usually find a stick to throw in the water for me, so I can go for a swim. The trouble is I love swimming so much, that I never, ever want to get out of the water... I'm usually well-behaved, so I see being in the sea as a way to get my own way (and it's fun too!)
The colder winter months are just as much fun, but in a different way. We still go down on the beach, but I'm not allowed to go in the water, when it's bitterly cold... but I still do!!
My technique is to sneak down to the water's edge, by running after an imaginary bird or even a smell that doesn't exist and… Hey Presto (you've guessed it), somehow the water creeps up on me and before you now it... I'm swimming!
There are lots of other nice places that we go for long walks. One place we go I have to walk on the lead for a short time, but it doesn't take long before I am allowed off the lead and can run around anywhere I want... it's great!
Sometimes Mom and Dad play games like hide and seek with me and while I am having a good old sniff around in the bushes, one of them will go and hide. Suddenly, I notice that one of them is missing and I just have to find them. They always fail to hide effectively, since my nose never lets me down and easily tells me where they are hiding. Little do they know that sometimes I pretend not to know where they are (to make the game last a bit longer).
Earlier this year we all went on a lovely holiday. It must have been a long way from home as we were in the car for quite some time. Eventually, we arrived at this idyllic country location to be greeted by fellow dogs, that very quickly became my friends. I think they lived at the farm where we were staying, as they would come round to the cottage door all the time and play games.
I think I will stop this dog story for now, 'cos I can hear my dinner being served... Being a food-loving dog, I can't miss that, can I?
Do come back again soon for more of my doggie tales.
Quick Ways To Teach Your Puppy To Climb Stairs And To Accept The Collar
Bringing home a new puppy is always an exciting time for the entire family. Getting that new puppy off the right start with proper training is very important to making that puppy a valued member of his human family. There are a number of talents that every new puppy must master, including going up and down the stairs, and how to accept a new collar as if she's worn it her entire life.
It is best to introduce a new puppy to the household when everyone in the family is present, and when the household is as calm as possible. That is why animal care experts discourage parents from giving puppies and kittens as holiday presents.
The holiday season is typically much too busy, with far too many distractions, for a young puppy or kitten to get the attention it needs. It is best to wait until the holidays have passed before introducing the new family member.
Once the puppy is part of the household, there are some things he or she will need to learn. One of the first challenges of a multi-story home will be learning to climb up and down the stair. Many puppies are afraid of stairs, and that usually means that they do not know how to climb them properly.
It is important for the puppy's owner to slowly build the confidence of the dog, starting off at the bottom of the stairs. In general, a wide stairway will probably be less frightening to the puppy.
To build confidence, the owner should go up the first step, then encourage the puppy to join them, using their voice, treats or a toy. After the puppy has joined you on the first stair, go back down and repeat the process until the puppy will go up that step on his own. It is important to build confidence slowly and not rush the process. Taking a one step at a time approach is the best way to teach the puppy to not be afraid of stairs.
Another thing every new puppy must learn is how to accept the collar. Learning to wear a collar is important to every dog, but many puppies are baffled, frightened and bewildered by this new piece of equipment. Many puppies constantly try to remove their new collar by pawing and pulling at it.
Fit is important when choosing a collar for your new puppy. A properly fitted collar, chosen for your puppy's size, is more likely to be comfortable and accepted. While choke collars, slip collars and training collars can be good training aids, they should never be used as a substitute for a sturdy buckle type collar. And of course that collar should have an identification tag and license attached. This identification will be vital in having your puppy returned if she becomes separated from you.
The best way to introduce the puppy to the collar is to simply put the collar on and allow her to squirm, jump, roll and paw at the color to her heart's content. It is important to not encourage this behavior by trying to soothe the puppy, but it is just as important not to punish or reprimand the puppy.
The best strategy is to simply ignore the puppy and them her work through her issues with the collar on her own. Introducing distractions, such as food, toys or playing, is a good way to get the puppy used to the color. Getting the puppy to play, eat and drink while wearing the collar is a great way to get her used to it. After a few days, most puppies will not even know they are wearing a collar.
Learn The Strategies To Train Your Puppy To Accept The Collar And Lead
Walking on a collar and lead is an important skill that every dog must learn. Even the best trained dog should never be taken outside the home or yard without a sturdy collar and leash. Even if your dog is trained perfectly to go off lead, accidents and distractions do happen, and a collar, with proper identification attached, is the best way to be sure you will get your beloved companion back.
Of course before you can teach your new puppy to accept a leash, he or she must first learn to accept wearing a collar. The first step is to choose a collar that fits the dog properly. It is important to measure the puppy's neck, and to choose a collar size accordingly.
After the collar has been put on the puppy, simply let him or her get used to it. It is not unusual for a puppy to try to pull on the collar, whine, roll or squirm when first introduced to a collar.
The best strategy is to simply ignore the puppy and let him or her get used to the collar. It is a mistake to either punish the dog for playing with the collar or to encourage the behavior. Distracting the puppy often helps, and playing with a favorite toy, or eating some favorite treats, can help the puppy quickly forget that he or she is wearing this strange piece of equipment.
After the dog has learned to accept the collar, try adding the leash. Hook the leash to the collar and simply sit and watch the puppy. Obviously, this should only be done either in the house or in a confined outdoor area. The puppy should be allowed to drag the leash around on its own, but of course the owner should keep a close eye on the puppy to ensure that the leash does not become snagged or hung up on anything.
At first, the leash should only be left on for a few minutes at a time. It is a good idea to attach the leash at mealtimes, playtime and other positive times in the life of the puppy.
That way the puppy will begin to associate the leash with good things and look forward to it. If the puppy shows a high degree of fear of the leash, it is a good idea to place it next to the food bowl for awhile to let him get used to it slowly. Eventually, he will come to understand that the leash is nothing to be afraid of.
After the puppy is comfortable with walking around the house wearing the leash, it is time for you to pick up the end of the leash for a few minutes. You should not try to walk the puppy on the leash; simply hold the end of the leash and follow the puppy around as he or she walks around. You should try to avoid situations where the leash becomes taut, and any pulling or straining on the leash should be avoided. It is fine for the puppy to sit down. Try a few games with the collar and lead.
For instance, back up and encourage the puppy to walk toward you. Don't drag the puppy forward, simply encourage him to come to you. If he does, praise him profusely and reward him with a food treat or toy. You should always strive to make all the time spent on the leash as pleasant as possible.
It is important to give the puppy plenty of practice in getting used to walking on the leash in the home. It is best to do plenty of work in the home, since it is a safe environment with few distractions. After the puppy is comfortable walking indoors on a leash, it is time to start going outside, beginning of course in a small, enclosed area like a fenced yard.
After the puppy has mastered walking calmly outdoors on a leash, it is time to visit some places where there are more distractions. You may want to start with a place like a neighbor's yard. Walking your new puppy around the neighborhood is a good way to introduce your neighbors to the new puppy, while giving the puppy valuable experience in avoiding distractions and focusing on his leash training.
Puppies sometimes develop bad habits with their leashes, such as biting or chewing on the leash. To discourage this type of behavior, try applying a little bit of bitter apple, Tabasco sauce or similar substance (just make sure the substance you use is not toxic to dogs). This strategy usually convinces puppies that chewing the leash is a bad idea.
