I made a video to share with you. In the first part of the video, I show you how Hachi used to "demand bark and growl" because he wanted to earn treats but he didn't know how. I think that all of his noise was simply frustration.
I decided to ignore all of his noises and to wait for him to make eye contact. I wanted him to start to learn to make eye contact when he wants something rather than doing all that other noisy stuff.
As you watch the first part of the video, imagine that the video camera is on the floor at Hachi's height, and I am standing behind it. Watch for him to flick his eyes upward - that is when he meets my eyes. I click and give him a treat every time he looks at my eyes. Then, I show you a few minutes later - look how fast he learned! And he's barely making any noise at all after he's figured out that he can get treats by making eye contact.
We are so grateful for almost everything about Hachi. Most of all today, we are thrilled to see R starting to really play with Hachi.
As I watched them starting to play for the first time, I realized that R cannot see Hachi very well. He'd open his jaws and bare his teeth but his aim wasn't very good for a play bite.
In response, Hachi laid down on his back, stayed still, and played from that position. I believe that our puppy was "self handicapping" like adult dogs usually do to help puppies not to be afraid of them. Somehow, Hachi knew that their roles needed to reverse for him to get the almost-blind R to play with him. It was wonderful to see.
It sometimes looked like R was blowing Hachi's ears back with his roars!
The two boys played and played. It was SO cool to see Hachi adapting to R's poor vision.
his barking and the bell makes a very good song ;O))) ...maybe he will be caninidate at american idol once?
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteOMD... am I supposed to be feeling this floppy and soppy?!! YAM xx
He caught on really fast making eye contact.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun to also see him sit with Shyla
he copied her moves.
♥ Astro & Mitzie
they are amazing together and this has warmed the cockles of my heart. the last shot made me laugh really hard. the synchronized sit and down is amazing and love the growls and playing. big boy put his ears up at the first few barks in the video
ReplyDeleteThe cute in your home has reached lethal levels. What an adorable smart little guy!
ReplyDeleteWe sure enjoyed that video, Hachi is smart and adorable and we love seeing the crew together! Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteLoved the videos and it was so much fun to watch Hachi sit and "down" with Shyla. He's a very fast learner! To see him play with R just melts our hearts.
ReplyDeleteGr8 Video!!! Too Cute!! Please slip R an extra treat when nobody is watching.
ReplyDeleteCheers
OMDs I'm grinning so big my face hurts. What a joyful video. Hachi WELL done on being such a quick learner. They sitting was in sync with Shyla too!!
ReplyDeleteMy mother in law was a tiny woman but she wore a size 8 shoe. She used to tell me she didn't like to wear white shoes because they made her foot look bigger...so that being said, Hachi's front feet look very big for his size or is it just that they are white. I loved the tug of war with Shyla and how sweet he plays with R and vice a versa.
Hugs Cecilia
Aw, what a great video for Awww Mondays. Just saying.
ReplyDeleteHave a woof woof Thankful Thursday all you pups. My best to your mom. ♥
The big roar photos is so funny!
ReplyDeleteOMG THOSE PAWS!! He is going to be BIG!! I can't get over those white paws! I love when he crossed them earlier in the video. When he was next to his sister on the blue rug he looked so small! I just love him!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how quickly dogs learn to adapt and change behavior. Wouldn't it be great if people could do the same?
ReplyDeleteAwww, that's adorable!
ReplyDeleteHachi sure is a special and smart little boy. All you posts give us a huge smile.
ReplyDeleteI think that your pack is special and wonderful! especially it's thoughtful human mama!!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteHe is certainly a clever cookie!
ReplyDeleteYou are killing my resistance:) It is great to see them play together. As for the training, Hachi is a very fast learner. But he also has a very good teacher. Santa brought that same toy here:)
ReplyDeleteHachi sounds so smart! I love that he's adapting to R and can figure things out. What special pups you have!
ReplyDeleteKZK
He is really just too cute!
ReplyDeleteWow! PLEASE come train my dogs, lol! Very impressive :)
ReplyDeleteLoving the way the three are learning to play so nicely together! And LOVING the videos of Hachi learning. Isn't clicker training amazing - it really creates a thinking dog! Even if the dog is just a few weeks old. VERY nice.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Chris from Boise
It is great to see the older dog playing with the younger ones. No jealousy there which means you did a great job integrating him into the house. You do a fantastic job with your training. I think getting the dogs to look you in the eyes helps when you are taking pictures of them.
ReplyDeletelove love loved the video, especially the sit and downs with Shyla!
ReplyDeletehugs
Hazel & Mabel
Hachi is so cute he could be the star of his own manga!!!
ReplyDeleteHachi is SUCH a smart boy! He shows it not just in his training but in his interactions with his siblings. Love it! My favorite part of the video was he and Shyla doing their sits and downs together!!
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
Oh my gosh...those little growls...too adorable! So cute watching him play tug-o-war.
ReplyDeleteAll of us are lucky that you have this wonderful puppy. I've been feeling tired and sort of down all day, but now, after watching the video and seeing Hachi playing, I'm all smiles and ready to go and get some work done around here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute little bundle of energy and fun! He looks like a little rascal :) LOVED the video of he and his sister doing synchronized sits!!
ReplyDeleteHis bear bell looks so big right now :) Won't be long before it looks tiny compared to his size.