Hi. My name is Joyce and my hubby and I recently adopted a 6 y.o. lab named Brownie. We've had labs twice before, also rescues, senior/adult. I am thrilled to have found NDT online and ordered the DVDs right away. I have begun watching DVDs and am working on early stages of pushing. Brownie can be very timid, i.e., he doesn't play with any toys (yet), he shrinks at sudden loud noises, is happy to see people and wants to be petted but seems a bit sheepish about getting what he wants. Of course, he's still adjusting (brought him home Dec. 19) but since this is our third, I see a difference beyond just adjusting to a new home--he just doesn't seem to have much confidence.
In our early work on pushing, I once tried to advance to moving a bit before opening my food hand he just sat down and looked at me dejectedly. Broke my heart. So I am now only moving AS he is eating the food and he is able to move with me. Also, I recently transitioned him to raw food. The first 3 weeks when we had him on kibble he seemed kind of reserved about eating it and he had diarrhea for three weeks that we ended up treating with antibiotics, and he didn't show any enthusiasm for carb/biscuit type treats. He LOVES the raw and the Primal formula (most expensive but reportedly the most digestible) agreed with him immediately so it is helping us work with pushing.
Today I could push just a bit as he was eating from my hand and he kept eating and moving with me! I don't have a question yet since I'm pretty sure I'm on the right track with this based on the posts I've had time to read. But wanted to get into the conversations. I know this process will take time but what else is there to do with my new dog other than build a great relationship! Want to start encouraging tug. Right now he doesn't hold on if I even touch something he's got in his mouth. So we will start slow there too. Thanks for reading my first (long
chapter. Hopefully futures will be briefer.
01-22-2010, 04:51 PM
Newbie in Massachusetts
Linear Mode
