Just a little update.....
We've had a very good couple of weeks. Spanky has gotten no more little tidbits or left-overs from what we're eating. I purchased a 'treat' jar that his treats are in, and those are the ones he gets. They are some low-fat doggy treats and some Cheerios.
He might tell you he's not as pleased with the treat situation and how it's changed, but he seems to be a very happy dog, nonetheless.
Someone who hadn't seen him in a few weeks mentioned yesterday that he seems to have lost a little weight, so we might be getting that side benefit, too.
He only gets treats from his jar, and he has to do some obedience like sit, down, or look. Or he gets one for getting in his crate when told.
He sometimes barks at things when he's outside, people walking their dogs or skaters and bikers. He sometimes gets a treat when he comes to me when I call and he's outside. Lately, he's even turned away from the distraction and come. I was using higher value treats for this. Right now, I'm not. We'll see how it goes.
I know we are being diligent about not introducing the trigger for his bad behavior, but things are just going so well.
The only thing that could have been a problem was when we came in and found him eating something and didn't know what it was. I was going to get something to 'trade' him so as not to cause a problem. In the meantime, my husband just reached down and took it. He said he was afraid it was something that could hurt him. It happened to be a pit from a piece of fruit one of the kids' friends had been eating. Spanky gave it up easily, so we got by that one. Not exactly how I had hoped to do it, though!! For 4 years, that's how we got stuff away from him, so my husband's a little bit slower in the learning department.
We are having a great time with Spanky, and we're all finding it's a lot easier for us all not to snack than to have to always eat at the table or put Spanky in his crate for a few minutes. That's even helping us slow down on snacking and only eating when we really want something!! This could be a great thing for everyone!
We've had a very good couple of weeks. Spanky has gotten no more little tidbits or left-overs from what we're eating. I purchased a 'treat' jar that his treats are in, and those are the ones he gets. They are some low-fat doggy treats and some Cheerios.
He might tell you he's not as pleased with the treat situation and how it's changed, but he seems to be a very happy dog, nonetheless.
Someone who hadn't seen him in a few weeks mentioned yesterday that he seems to have lost a little weight, so we might be getting that side benefit, too.
He only gets treats from his jar, and he has to do some obedience like sit, down, or look. Or he gets one for getting in his crate when told.
He sometimes barks at things when he's outside, people walking their dogs or skaters and bikers. He sometimes gets a treat when he comes to me when I call and he's outside. Lately, he's even turned away from the distraction and come. I was using higher value treats for this. Right now, I'm not. We'll see how it goes.
I know we are being diligent about not introducing the trigger for his bad behavior, but things are just going so well.
The only thing that could have been a problem was when we came in and found him eating something and didn't know what it was. I was going to get something to 'trade' him so as not to cause a problem. In the meantime, my husband just reached down and took it. He said he was afraid it was something that could hurt him. It happened to be a pit from a piece of fruit one of the kids' friends had been eating. Spanky gave it up easily, so we got by that one. Not exactly how I had hoped to do it, though!! For 4 years, that's how we got stuff away from him, so my husband's a little bit slower in the learning department.
We are having a great time with Spanky, and we're all finding it's a lot easier for us all not to snack than to have to always eat at the table or put Spanky in his crate for a few minutes. That's even helping us slow down on snacking and only eating when we really want something!! This could be a great thing for everyone!