I learned . . . the pack leader: always goes through doors and gates first, and always like to walk in the lead. The information said you need to get the dog to sit before you go outside, and you need to be the first one through the door. Moki didn't like this at all. He didn't even want to sit. He stood by the door trying to get out first and barking his little, high pitched ANNOYING bark. But, I remained firm, and finally got him to do it.
When we went on our walk, I forced him to heel the whole time. Usually, I let him do his own thing for most of the walk, and only make him heel for part of it. Also, we stopped by the side of the road, and I wanted to work on sit and stay. He didn't care much for this, either, today. He refused to sit and barked and barked and barked. I kept "encouraging" him until he finally did it. We did it several times, and it wasn't until the last time . . . maybe the fourth or fifth time . . . that he finally did it without fighting me too much on it.
The other thing he always does is grab the leash. I've been letting him do it, because when he has the leash in his mouth, he doesn't pick up rocks and things off the road. I hadn't realized how aggressive he has been with it, until I wouldn't allow it today. As soon as he realized I meant business, he actually behaved better all the way around. This is really a great website that I found.
And, after many times going outside (after I read the info), he finally sits quietly by the door allowing me to go out first without fighting it at all. Success. Although, as a pack leader, I still have to enforce all these new behaviors. Oh yeah, and tonight when I fed him, I pet him while I hand fed him, and he wagged his tail a little bit. Not much, but that is a submissive behavior, so I'm making progress.
Monday - Volunteering at Medicine Horse for a class they're giving. This class is like the one I volunteered at before, but this one is all girls. Today, they learned the cowboy rules ("Howdy partner!"), and learned the emergency dismount. One of the horses got sold, and I didn't get to say good-bye. Bye Doc! I'll miss you. He was one of my favorites.
Moki has been much better, but hasn't totally given in to the idea that I'm the pack leader. We had a little session tonight where I'd put him in the submissive position, and he'd get up and bite me. So, I'd put him down again. This went on for about ten minutes, until he finally gave it up. Somehow, I think this won't be the last time! He's had it his way too long, and I didn't even realize it. Luckily, he's still small enough for me to physically put him down.
Tuesday - Today at Medicine Horse, the girls rode Abby, the "fake" horse. It moves just like a real horse, and often on tv and movies, the "riders" are actually riding a horse like Abby. Then we worked on brands . . . the girls designed their own, and then painted the horses. We used Missy and JayJay today. Afterward, we washed the horses off and shampooed where the paint was. The girls had a good time!
Moki is getting better, but still not content to be an underling in the our "pack." Today, I noticed for the first time that he's wagging his tail more. That's a good thing because it's indicative of submissive behavior. He wasn't wagging his tail before because the alpha dog doesn't need to. Now, he's finally making an effort to please the new pack leader . . . me.
Wednesday - Today was the last day of the girls' group at Medicine Horse. They learned how to groom the horse, and how to saddle. I told them to be careful of the flank on the horse, because that's where they put the band to make a horse buck at the rodeo. Ronda corrected me! They put on a sheepskin band, and it is only a cue for the horse! I had no idea! She said the horses are bred to buck, and they don't need the band on. Interesting!
Next, the girls rode Missy one at a time, learning how to steer and stop. They really liked that.
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