Summer is 8 1/2 these days. She has always been a higher energy dog, which is a big reason why she ended up with me instead of staying with her breeder. She wanted her to go to a more active home. She's always been a little hyper, a little bit needy. But she's also always been very sensitive. She is a worry wart and always always always wants to be 'good dog'. She's my bombproof little girl who never ever dreams of doing something bad.
Lately, and it has been a gradual change, Summer's turned into something else. Confident, bold, and non stop energy and enthusiasm. Examples:
1. Tonight I hear a dog trying to jump onto my bar repeatedly and looked over my shoulder and it's SUMMER trying to snatch the canned dog food I was setting out.
2. She decided to shred a piece of paper the other day and had a blast with it (all the while looking like 'am I allowed'?)
3. She's started vocalizing in excitement at agility. That's brand new.
4. She played with me today! A very tame version of wrestling but she actually played! And had fun!
5. I have also gotten her to play with toys a few times lately! And some light tugging!
6. Agility, she's a ham. At any opportunity, she throws behaviors at me. No fear at all with anything (as evidenced by her terrifying me by bailing the a-frame)
Honestly, I love it. Is that bad? It seems like a regression in training but I love how much fun she's having. I don't see the worried looks she used to always have every time she acted like a goof. At least not as much.
I wonder what has caused the difference or if it's a combination of things. she's done training classes before but it seems to be tied to the fact I've really ramped up the shaping exercises. I've also started working on her with toys (and it is slow going). I've also been exercising them both more and it's showing. She is really in good shape right now.
Long post short, anyone had a dog go through something like that at an older age?
Lately, and it has been a gradual change, Summer's turned into something else. Confident, bold, and non stop energy and enthusiasm. Examples:
1. Tonight I hear a dog trying to jump onto my bar repeatedly and looked over my shoulder and it's SUMMER trying to snatch the canned dog food I was setting out.
2. She decided to shred a piece of paper the other day and had a blast with it (all the while looking like 'am I allowed'?)
3. She's started vocalizing in excitement at agility. That's brand new.
4. She played with me today! A very tame version of wrestling but she actually played! And had fun!
5. I have also gotten her to play with toys a few times lately! And some light tugging!
6. Agility, she's a ham. At any opportunity, she throws behaviors at me. No fear at all with anything (as evidenced by her terrifying me by bailing the a-frame)
Honestly, I love it. Is that bad? It seems like a regression in training but I love how much fun she's having. I don't see the worried looks she used to always have every time she acted like a goof. At least not as much.
I wonder what has caused the difference or if it's a combination of things. she's done training classes before but it seems to be tied to the fact I've really ramped up the shaping exercises. I've also started working on her with toys (and it is slow going). I've also been exercising them both more and it's showing. She is really in good shape right now.
Long post short, anyone had a dog go through something like that at an older age?