Living with Poppy - Update 7/7/22 (All going south!)

David

David

Moderator
Staff member
:hungover:

I will NOT give in! Never give in!

The Pop dog can do it - she just chooses not too. I mean I'm convinced of that. In a new environment everything just goes out of the window. We got her pulled back and retrieving complete with a finish round behind but goodness it was hard work. I think Judy is absolutely correct when she says that Poppy needs a structured life because that's probably the way she's been brought up as a working detection dog. I'm at a bit of a loss on how to do this in everyday living. Maybe structure our walks as "working periods" in some way. Judy also says Poppy needs stretching (not physically - she's already long enough especially sprawled full length on the sofa).

I'm going to try to get much more structure into her daily routine so she "thinks" she's working again - in so far as dogs actually think that deeply. Probably just more what she's used to doing. Judy is going to set up a suitable group so we can get Poppy exposed to other dogs so she can see them working and get a bit of competition going and meet at different places. Show Poppy it's fun. She has some suitable people also training and she will explain what she's trying to do with Poppy so I don't have to worry about it all going wrong.

Looking ahead we're going to introduce Poppy to the dummy launcher as well - huge amounts of excitement! Towards the end of August maybe we'll try cold game. That's the plan.

Judy asked if Poppy was still showing aggresive tendencies towards other dogs. I said I thought she was fine now. Trouble only really sparks off if the other dog kicks off and it's on a lead. If she gets told off by a dog when they are both off the lead she just dodges away and plays with a different dog instead. Having watched her closely for obvious reasons I can say she never seems to initiate aggression, but she is very confident and assertive. Poppy pretty much has zero interest these days in little dogs. She might have a sniff but usually just ignores them. Anything her size she's always up for play no matter how rough it gets. So different from our previous girl, Lady.
 
Shamas mom

Shamas mom

Location
Canada
David said:
Maybe structure our walks as "working periods"
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This is actually a really good idea. about 3/4 of Shamas issues dropped off the second we put a bag in his mouth, He was on the job. Fully focused, and intent on getting his prize home safe. You couldn't even offer him a treat in work mode. It also helped with "aggressive tendencies" because while on the job, he didn't have time to fuss around with other dogs
 
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