Ravings for Remedies

Having come such a long way in terms of growth and learning, Zappy has finally seen the end of his preschool days. Now, like it or not, he must learn to use a pen and paper and tackle some serious exams. If that doesn’t work then we’ll just have to teach him other things expected of a doggy.

His performance was no different to last weeks effort, he does not like ‘Jedi’ the Staffi nor the other giant puppies, he snarls and attacks them as they tread too close to his comfort zone, i.e. our legs and mat. Even being placed within the cage, he shivers and lowers his tail, we are powerless to help – coddling just produces more fear. This behaviour will be monitored as best we can, perhaps more walks will allow him to socialise with other dogs. It could be the aggressive playing with our cat ‘Mixy’ that results in this unstable behaviour. Either way, we will endeavour to curb this negative behaviour with positive reinforcement.

One of the instructors suggested a method of reducing the ‘fixed-action’ pattern of dogs, digging in the garden. Whenever a hole is made, place one of his turds in it and sprinkle dirt over the top. Though dogs eat just about everything, their own poo is not a regular diet habit. We will try this and report back if successful.