New dog New Challenges

Just realised that I haven't posted on the blog for ages. Life just got way more busier once we did get around to adopting a new Puppy. I am using the term 'Puppy' loosely as the new dog we adopted was a adult schnauzer from a Dog shelter and life is more interesting since we got him. When we got him he was this pitiful little waif and now he has blossomed into this spunky and fearless little guy, who totally adores me.

Training a adult dog brings on different challenges than a puppy. A puppy is a clean slate so you train then or reinforce whatever behaviour you want. With a adult dog especially one which is surrendered there are a lot of untraining along with actual training. I must say though I was amazed at Shifu's ability to learn. We gave him a new name (didn't want him to any association with old name) and he figured out his name within a day of being home. Sit and settle was learnt Pat too. Of course with his quick learning I had to brush up my teaching skills, so we started off with tricks too, which I didn't really attempt with Angel.

Not saying that my older Pooch wouldn't have learnt if I taught her but she was also quite content just being beside me. This one though is teeming with energy and is always looking at me as if asking......what we gonna do next.

So far he does
Sit
Settle/down
Roll
Up (stands on hind legs)
beg (Sits on hind legs)
Turn (stands on hind legs and twirls)
High Five
High Ten
Crawl
Speak (still working on that)
Shut the door

I must say that Lil fella has brought in adventure to our as well as Angel's life.