Flicka

[Granca]

Two weeks and three days isn’t long at all for Flicka to adjust to such a new way of life. From what you’ve written down, you’ve already made great progress with her, even though it may not feel like it!

As she reacted so well to her breeder when she recognised him, do you think she would respond to going for a short walk along the lane with you both if he can visit again?

 

[Jacqui-S]

What good progress Sonia!
Don't do yourself down, you have made massive strides!

 

[Stacia]

Two weeks and three days isn’t long at all for Flicka to adjust to such a new way of life. From what you’ve written down, you’ve already made great progress with her, even though it may not feel like it!

As she reacted so well to her breeder when she recognised him, do you think she would respond to going for a short walk along the lane with you both if he can visit again?

He is coming again, but that might be slightly ambitious but he thinks we may get her on the front lawn, she did come out of the front door for a few steps to follow him when he was going, though that was my fault I didn't shut front door I had left her in the utility room, not for one moment thinking she would step out. A lesson learnt but positive result in a way.

 

[Stacia]

As Flicka cannot go out, has anyone any training ideas to wear her mind out in the house? She does play in the garden but of course some days it is pouring with rain. Stupidly I threw all my puppy training notes out only a couple of months ago, the only things I have thrown away! Do I need to follow a plan and train one thing a day, or 'here and there' do different training during the day?

 

[MellowYellow]

Yes, I agree with you, take very small steps rather than hoping for big sudden improvements and then being disappointed. I am really impressed with what you have already achieved with Flicka, good on you!!!

 

[MellowYellow]

I think I'd do different training sessions as and when it suits you both. What does she like to do? Does she like treats, and using her nose? You could start by hiding a treat under a cushion and encouraging her to search for it, and from then move on to hiding treats in various parts of the room, and then in another room, and so on. This will make her use her nose and brain, will increase her focus on you and her bonding with you, and ultimately will be teaching her steadiness as she has to wait to be sent to search... Will only work if she likes searching though. But with spaniel/lab in her, I should think she would enjoy this. I used to play it a lot with Merlin when he was young and it was dark in the evenings...

 

[MellowYellow]

Also Sonja you could already start training her sit, down, heel, and come, using lots of treats. You say she is bright; I think she'll enjoy it as long as you keep training sessions light, short, and fun.

 

[HAH]

@Jelinga , I'd focus on relationship building in these early days - keeping each session really simple and short to 2-3 minutes at a time, counting out 5-10 treats and when they're gone, the game is done! Also focus on consistency in your behaviour, clear mechanics, and use a regular cue like 'all done!' with a little scatter to tell Flicka the game is finished for now. This way you'll quickly build up an easy understanding between you around when you're training and when you're not. I know you've done a lifetime of training, so are very fluent - this might be a great opportunity to freshen up your own skills. A few ideas:

• Reward anything - sit with Flicka in a comfortable space, and mark and reward anything she does; if she looks at you, 'yes' and treat; if she turns around, 'yes' and treat; if she flicks an ear, 'yes' and treat. The point is to build her confidence and engagement with you, as well as building value in your marker word. And its really easy!
• Pressure games - Fiona did a great thread on this here Pressure games - this helps build confidence with scary or unfamiliar things, so maybe the back door, garden or anywhere Flicka isn't yet confident. Take baby steps and only do short bursts with lots of decompression time in between.
• The bucket game - a lovely start to cooperative care, @Boogie did a thread on this here Bucket game - it starts a conversation between you and Flicka and gives her some control, which can build to greater choice in all sorts of ways.
• Chin rest - this is so helpful for all sorts of care activities, and also for moving your dog around without putting hands on her - ask for a chin rest, and she'll come to you independently. Fiona and @Beanwood did an excellent thread here Chin rest with videos.

 

[Cath]

You are both getting to know each other. I am sure you will both make a great team.
You are doing so well @Jelinga

 

[Stacia]

Two weeks and three days isn’t long at all for Flicka to adjust to such a new way of life. From what you’ve written down, you’ve already made great progress with her, even though it may not feel like it!

As she reacted so well to her breeder when she recognised him, do you think she would respond to going for a short walk along the lane with you both if he can visit again?

That is what I am hoping if he comes here again, he said he would come again next week but he is very busy.

 

[Stacia]

Thank you very much @HAH have had a look and written them down. Have just slipped on dog bed, cracked my back on a low shelf and frightened Flicka, such a shame as we were doing so well. She will be ok soon I am sure.

 

[Stacia]

@MellowYellow thanks, I did scatter some of her food on the patio this morning, can use the idea with treats in the house, great idea.

 

[Granca]

Have just slipped on dog bed, cracked by back on a low shelf

Are you ok?

 

[Stacia]

Yes thank you Granca, at least I think so! Flicka has recovered

 

[Stacia]

@HAH, yes, it is good to freshen up any skills as dog training has changed such a lot from Barbara Woodhouse to Clicker training! I was lucky enough to be involved early in Clicker training. But always good for fresh ideas.

 

[Stacia]

I wonder if I will ever get her out for a walk and into the car. She is basically a sweet little dog. A friend brought her dog not long after I had her and despite living with many many dogs, she was scared. Today Frankie came to see me (without a dog) Flicka retreated to her safe place and despite Frankie being in another room she was growling in her bed, she remembered the dog

She has learnt go do a down, a sit, touch my hand so far and plays very enthusiastically with a tennis ball. I have managed to clip a lead on her for a short time. Today I opened the front door and she ventured a tiny way out and then I lost my nerve as she was 'loose though a lead round her neck' and we went back in. I was foolish to get her so young but I was not thinking clearly, indeed not thinking at all, it all happened so suddenly. At what age do they begin to quieten down? I can't remember with Rourke and of course I also had Drift them. Maybe @Kelsey and @HAH and others can remember?

 

[Loraseal]

I think you are making tremendous leaps and bounds in such a short time you have had her. Don't want to worry you but mine will be 7 soon and he still thinks he's a puppy...

 

[HAH]

I wonder if I will ever get her out for a walk and into the car. She is basically a sweet little dog. A friend brought her dog not long after I had her and despite living with many many dogs, she was scared. Today Frankie came to see me (without a dog) Flicka retreated to her safe place and despite Frankie being in another room she was growling in her bed, she remembered the dog

She has learnt go do a down, a sit, touch my hand so far and plays very enthusiastically with a tennis ball. I have managed to clip a lead on her for a short time. Today I opened the front door and she ventured a tiny way out and then I lost my nerve as she was 'loose though a lead round her neck' and we went back in. I was foolish to get her so young but I was not thinking clearly, indeed not thinking at all, it all happened so suddenly. At what age do they begin to quieten down? I can't remember with Rourke and of course I also had Drift them. Maybe @Kelsey and @HAH and others can remember?

I think the main challenges you describe come from Flicka not being fully socialised (meaning helped to live in a human world, not that she’s not used to dogs) in her early months, and being a young dog. The socialisation is entirely in your gift and you have done it before with all your pups, to a greater or lesser extent. And she will get older and mature - so that will come with time. For now I think you need to take it really slow with her, and celebrate all the tiny wins - like opening the front door! This is a huge step, although it might not feel like it.

 

[Kelsey]

I strongly agree with @HAH Flicka has a background that comes with her so that has different challenges than getting an 8 week old puppy who is more of a ‘clean slate’ in my opinion, which still of course comes with their own set of challenges too! Everyone remembers my venting posts I’m sure and they will continue for a bit longer I’m sure. But you really are making great progress with her!

I think you could be struggling with what I have been struggling with. It was really hard for me to go from a mature dog who knew what I wanted without me having to say a word, to a puppy who doesn’t have a clue what I want and is also a boisterous huge puppy Axel was also bomb proof, with all noises and sights and animals. Hugo is spooked of loud noises I’ve learned, wineries by my house have bird bombs that go off to get the birds off their vines, so really loud gun shot noises that ripple through the neighborhood. So I’m working on that right now with streamline treats and very happy ‘good boy!’ and we are getting there.

It’s one day at a time and eventually it will all come together. Her puppy brain will turn into a calmer adult brain, and she will gain more and more confidence in the mean time. One day at a time

Oh and Axel calmed down significantly at 2 years old and by 4 he was a perfect mature gentleman. Minus car rides or going to peoples houses which was a (short) life long issue

 

[Emily]

She sounds like a lovely dog but certainly a little anxious. Would it be worth chatting to the vet about some medication to ease her anxiety while she settles into her new world?