Training Smash to Stay

Now that Smash has gotten the hang of using his leg, I have resumed his training.

He remembered sit very well. He has a little trouble tossing that leg out and sitting for a long time gets uncomfortable for him but he does it well.

He still has a bit of trouble with stay. he wants to get up and follow me when I walk away. We have to keep repeating the procedure of sit - stay - no sit - stay- no - sit - stay - good boy - stay.

He does much better if there are two of us to work with him. If one trainer holds a hand in front of his face while the other one walks with the leash he stays just fine.

I am sure he will get the hang of stay again soon.

To learn how to train your own dog get Sit- Stay - Fetch from Animal Kingdom

Update on Smash's healing process

Natural Healing

Smash is healing nicely from his injuries. The cuts on his side are hardly visible now. Most of the hair has grown back. There is still a missing stripe of fur where the bandage that held his leg that first week rubbed it raw, but you have to look close to see it.

The leg that I was told need to be amputated is doing well too. He uses it to scratch his nose although he looks funny when he does it!

Most amazingly he can balance on it while he hike the other leg to mark his territory. And as we were packing for our trip this easter weekend he showed that he wanted to go too by jumping into the back of our Suburban!

I still won't let him run loose as I keep seeing the neighbor dogs out on the road where I suspect he got hit. But he is adapting to being somewhat confined.

I give several Reiki treatments each week and I have been doing EFT on myself to calm my worries about him. He really does not seem to know he has a problem anymore.

Natural healing for dogs

I have recently received my Reiki atonement so I have been practicing on Smash. My wife and I have always practiced a form of hands on energy healing so Reiki is a natural extension of this for us.

I noticed the other day that we have been focusing too much energy in to his healing leg because the hair on the scar there had completely grown back while his other scars on his side and front leg are still surrounded by very short hair.

We have made a greater effort to spread out the energy all over him more.

I recently learned that dogs and horses have an extra chakra called the brachial chakra just above the shoulder area. This chakra is a balancing chakra for all the others. we have been working with this one to help balance him out.

Seems that most of our would be Reiki sessions end up being mostly just a lot of pet-the-puppy with is his favorite activity.

I have been amazed at what he has learned to do with his healing leg. He can now lift it at the appropriate times, and he can stand as it there was nothing wrong with him.

He still has trouble with the "sit" pose. He just can't get that leg to cooperate just yet.

But yesterday I got a surprise when I bent over to pick up one of his toys. I have not idea how he did it but I felt both of his front paws on my back as he somehow jumped up on me. Normally I would scold him for this behavior but I was very happy to know he had learned how to jump again.

I still intend to have a whole healthy dog.

Telepathic Dogs?

Have you ever noticed that dogs seem to know exactly what you are thinking?
Smash knows when I am ready to head back home during a walk even before I pull the leash that direction.

Do dogs really know what you are thinking? Do they pick up on body language, smells or do they really read thoughts?

This book describes an experiment where dogs were monitored by cameras while their owners were away. The dogs went to the door to wait for them when their owners simply had an intention about coming home.

Amazing stuff.

Funny Dog Behavior in the snow

Dog Behavior



It is always fun for me to watch a dog the first time the experience snow. Smash saw his first snowfall today.

He ran around sniffing and biting at the snow for a while. Then, when we got out our makeshift sled, he loved chasing us down the hill.

I am not sure what he enjoys more, playing in the snow or having everyone outside with him.

Either way, is really fun to just sit back and enjoy his funny behavior.