CJ, I don't have a way of posting a picture right now but as soon as my many technical difficulties are solved I will post one.

Most of your perceptions were completely on the mark! And the ones that aren't is because you don't know the dogs so that's OK!

I worked with children diagnosed with severe autism for years. I had just an absolutely incredible boss who I miss greatly. She really cared for both the kids and the staff and regardless how bad things got she was always able to put her emotions aside and do the best thing for everyone. And believe me, things could get really emotional in that environment and under constant pressure.

One of the things she taught me was to not be afraid of other people's opinion and not be afraid to admit my own failures. I think that's what's hard for many people, not being afraid of other people seeing you as needing help in something. Especially adults. People get all defensive when you tell them they are wrong instead of thinking, maybe I am wrong? How do I make it right?

As I said, I so miss my boss.... I always say that she was the next thing to an angel and I really mean that. She was the epitomy of patience and consistence. She was a real source of stability in an extremely unstable and unpredictable environment. I was so lucky that I was able to work under her. As far as my own personal development I feel that that was the most productive time of my life, all because of her.

Anyways, I am getting off topic here! Thanks for all your help!

I hope I am not making myself sound "Oh look how good I am" I was just trying to say how much I miss my boss and how good SHE was.

All right. An update.

Today I tried to wait him out sitting in front of his crate with a ball. When the puppy saw it she started barking and howling. When he finally calmed down and I let him out of the crate he completely ignored the ball and wanted to head straight for the door to see who was there (nobody).

When the puppy calmed down and was sitting nicely I got her out of the crate too and had them take turns fetching balls. With Chili I would make him sit before I would throw a ball while Saana was waiting her turn. I had him go straight to his crate after he came back with the ball and he waited there for Saana to go.

Then it was Saana's turn I had her down before she got her turn. Repeat from beginning. It worked out quite well and it was a good training session. We did this twice this morning for maybe 10 minutes each.

While it was Chili's turn I had Saana behind me busy with her ball because it's too much for her to watch Chili have a turn with his ball. Chili watched Saana from his crate with the door open.

Three times today Chili started barking while I was in the kitchen preparing lunch. I must have made some noises that he perceived as outside noises. He started barking while Saana stayed quiet so I rewarded Saana for being quiet. I said "yes" and gave her a treat. When he saw that he stopped barking and then I said "yes" to him and gave him a treat.

Is that OK to do?

When we were sitting down for lunch I moved my chair in to sit down and they both started to bark at the noise the chair made. I have to say it does get tiring.

 Quote: Linda West

When we were sitting down for lunch I moved my chair in to sit down and they both started to bark at the noise the chair made. I have to say it does get tiring.

I know I'm not there, I know it's been said several times, and I know there is more of a challenge with at least one of these dogs than simply this ---- but all those disclaimers on the table, this says to me boredom and frustrated energy.

I hear what you are saying Connie. I was doing much better in the summer when I was home. I had plans to exercise them before I would leave for work once school started.

When I tried to do that both of them had a really hard time wanting to do anything in the morning. The puppy is limp and just wants to go back to sleep after I get her out to potty.

The older one hates treadmill so the only other option is "busy" stuff around the house and it only seems to make him more energized and then I am leaving him with my husband who has a hard time as it is.

My question is, should I make the little one get up and get on a treadmill? I was afraid I was going to ruin the good experience she has had with it so I have not been pushing it.

I really have to get backpacks for them as Willie T suggested. I am just trying to recover financially from the last "training".

I should also say that the older one loves to be outside if it's 110 degrees. Otherwise, even yesterday when it was nice he wanted to go back several times as I am walking them. In the morning, forget it, I am pulling him down the street as he is trying whatever he can to go back home.

Given the problems we have been having I don't want to drag him and create more problems.

I guess I have to seriously rethink our situation and do the best thing for both us and the dogs. This is crazy.

 Quote: linda west

I should also say that the older one loves to be outside if it's 110 degrees. Otherwise, even yesterday when it was nice he wanted to go back several times as I am walking them. In the morning, forget it, I am pulling him down the street as he is trying whatever he can to go back home.

Given the problems we have been having I don't want to drag him and create more problems.

I guess I have to seriously rethink our situation and do the best thing for both us and the dogs. This is crazy.

I would not push the treadmill use in this case. I would use it only insofar as the dog is positive about it in this case.

How is your condo set up? Are there indoor stairs? Is there a dining room with space all around the table? Is there an empty guest room? Do you have garage space?

I've found/made room in my small place for: training (and then playing) "fetch" (rolling the item); certainly for teaching loose-leash walking as well as formal heeling; variations (not as good as Konnie's) on Konnie's suggestion; and other activities that have a pretty good physical-activity component.

In addition, there have been three threads that I recall on the topic of rainy-day or below-freezing-weather indoor activities (as well as several on keeping a dog's mind busy to help tire him when he's restricted after surgery).

I'll be back a bit later, but maybe others will recall where/when any of those threads are lurking.

It would be very hard to exaggerate the positive effects of structured mental and physical exercise on reactive dogs. (Same goes for destructive dogs and barky dogs.)

Connie,

I do remember those threads. The only place I can take them is the basement which needs to be cleaned out in order for them to be able to use it. I will start on that tomorrow. On a good note, we just got done with a finding game. The older one did much better than the younger one. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

thanks again

The only place I can take them is the basement which needs to be cleaned out in order for them to be able to use it. I will start on that tomorrow.

Brilliant! Even if you had the usual stored stuff all pushed together into a corner (or the center) of the room, I betcha you will have a load of useful space.

There's a board member here who does focus work in his boring empty shed to limit distractions, and he sure does have great results.

In your case, with such weather-sensitive dogs, your basement could help not just with the focus and ob work they need, but with the exercise, too. 45 minutes of brisk loose-leash walking with direction changes and breaks for "sit" and other commands, preceded by marker work for teaching the walking position (one step, mark and reward, two steps, mark and reward, etc.) ... this cannot lack benefits.

I would make this a fun time for me, too. I'd be animated and enthusiastic, stand tall, project leadership and calmness -- and I'd probably think of it as physical exercise that a full-time job, a disabled partner, a household to run, and more, can really get in the way of.

I'd make structured, fast-paced exercise an inviolable piece of every day. I know that you're exhausted from the constant reactivity and just the noise that comes with it, but doing this will not add to the fatigue. It will give you a quiet focused time, one-on-one with each dog, and it will also make for happier dogs.


On a good note, we just got done with a finding game. The older one did much better than the younger one. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

That's great!! Good job!!