And so, it begins

Training that is. I, Kelsey, have started training Scuttle. There have been some issues that have come up and I have realized there are, somewhat, simple solutions. Right now I am working on Crate Training her. So far she has done far better than I anticipated.

At first I just sat down by it and gentle coaxed her over while talking gently to her. She relaxed and had no problems being near the crate. So, I placed her bed inside and threw in a couple of treats. She got both front legs, half of her body, inside with little issue. She has yet to enter fully but I have hope that within a couple of weeks she will be fully trained. Once she goes in there on her own, without treats, we want to start feeding her in there. She is really weird about her food and is a very slow eater, though I think this is because she is insecure still. My hope is that the crate will become her safe place, which she so desperately needs.

We are also looking into trainers to come into our home and work with us to teach her some basic obedience. We are excited to see what will happen in the future and are hopeful as to what we will be able to accomplish with a little help.

On another note she loves going on walks. She is learning to walk nicely without pulling, though she does have quit the stubborn streak. She hates walking behind Sailor but submits after a while. I'm teaching her to stop and return to my side when I say "stop". It was something she did on her own and I decided to make it a command.

I'll keep you guys updated. Until next time!

Kelsey

Commitment

As any dog owner can tell you owning a dog is a rewarding experience. But it isn't always easy. It's a commitment. You have to worry about training, possible health issues, grooming, diet, and exercise. All these things play a huge role in the ownership of a dog.

I have to admit, we were blessed with our first dog, Sailor. When we got him he had his issues but is so quick to learn it didn't take him long to adjust his behavior. His training seems, as I look back, to have been a quick process. He remains an amazing willing to please dog, though he does have his share of vices.

Scuttle seems to be a never ending learning experience. Not only is she a rescue but she is no longer a puppy. At three years old I guess you could say she is stuck in her ways. The saying "you can't teach a dog knew tricks" comes to mind. As her owners it's our duty to her to provide her with an opportunity to overcome her short comings.

Walking seems to help and she transforms whenever we are taking a nice stroll around the block. She is so cute and perky it's so fun to watch. She has her frustrations, and so do I. I'm constantly trying to teach her basic leash manners. She pulls horribly so loose leash training is a must. So far she loathes being at the back of the pack (usually my mom, brother and Sailor). Her dominance is the main reason we make her walk behind. Normally its a frustrating experience for her. Demotion is never fun :).

One thing that I am learning is key to her training is I must always count the victories. Not only so that I don't get discouraged but, for her. After all that she has been through the least I can do is help her towards a healthier state of mind.