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Monday, April 1, 2019

Puppy Hachi

Hachi is healing from surgery so he hasn't played like a puppy in 10 days. He's starting to go crazy but his siblings are helping him stay grounded.

To the extent that we can while he recovers, we've been working on helping Hachi with his fear-based issues. To help with resource guarding, I like to play a game that is designed to teach Hachi that great things happen to him after one of his siblings gets a treat. So, I give Shyla a treat and then immediately give Hachi three treats. I pause. Then, I give R a treat, rapidly followed by another three treats to Hachi. I'll continue on for several minutes with Hachi getting almost a meal's worth of kibble during the game.

It seems to work, in the short term at a minimum. Hachi doesn't guard food at all during the game. We are lucky that his resource guarding is relatively tame (compared to cases that I've read about) so it's safe to have all three side-by-side for the game.

After the game, R and Hachi were exhausted yesterday, and they snoozed in a sun puddle.
There have been no big changes since my last puppy update. The best thing is that Hachi has had no outbursts since that update. We are managing his environment carefully, taking care not to stress him or push him too fast.

It took the better part of six years for Shyla to become comfortable in her own skin. If I had known at the start of our journey that it would ultimately lead to a happy Shyla, I would have been far more patient along the way. However, in real life, we never know how something will turn out... and so I find myself feeling a similar urgency about "solving" Hachi's issues as I felt about Shyla's fears.

I need to take a deep breath and remember that important things don't happen overnight. I wish that they did!
I am still overjoyed with how united our pack is. We all love our puppy.

25 comments:

  1. it#s great to hear that everything is as good as it could be...and how great that the surgery went smooth and there is not even a cone in the game ;O)

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  2. Those three are so special and we know that together you'll be able to help sweet Hachi.

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  3. Hachi is almost as big as his siblings. i love the threesome shots.. so glad what you are doing is working. have you ever seen the movie with Richard Gere in Hachi? i loved that movie but i did cry a lot

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    1. We did see it... years ago. I remember it being incredibly touching.

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  4. Hari OM
    Yup, the keyword... patience. But it's okay to wish for more! YAM xx

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  5. I am smiling and what endearing photos and words about your Trio!!!
    Hugs Cecilia

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  6. Awww, you do have a great pack. Patience with Hachi and all will be well.

    Have a woof woof day. My best to your peeps. ♥

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  7. Brilliant!

    We played that same treat game with Rowan and Obi when she (Rowan) came home to us in December; it's a great way just to teach "wait your turn" manners even for non-resource-guarders (and when a new pup comes home, who knows if s/he is a RG or not?) (And Obi thought it was the best game around - just sit there and get treats!).

    No joke: Your thoughtful approach will pay off in the long run.

    Cheers,
    Chris from Boise

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    1. My words about patience were inspired by your email. TTT. :)

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  8. What A Growth Spurt - Love That Sun Snooze Moment - Well Done

    Cheers

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  9. You have the best family in the whole wide world, Hachi! You will get there - patience - and it's the hardest virtue to learn.

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  10. That is a tough problem to work on, but maybe getting him out and about into different situations and environments would help. Just going to a pet store, or dog friendly store of any type in small doses with lots of positive rewards for him.

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  11. Overnight would be great when we all want something to be instantaneous. Hachi has the most loving family, and it sounds like this new training method will work well. They look so cosy all together.

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  12. The 'incident' could have been an outlier...they sure seem to look well bonded together. But for the record, I growl too when someone comes near my plate. 😁

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  13. We're sure Hachi will succeed with you and the pack teaching him all he needs to know.

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  14. I'm so glad to hear things are getting better, you are so smart in your teaching of Hachi and to remind us all of patience, things to tend to work out over time - hard to remember sometimes.

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  15. There sure is love all around.

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  16. I LOVE how united your pack is as well!!! Kisses to all of them!

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  17. their pictures cuddling together are always my favorite. a little safe family.
    patience is good. and who knows what sets off a certain reaction?
    especially in a puppy's mind who was simply seeking survival from one day to the next.
    the mind boggles at what they go through. I feel the same way about children who have known NOTHING but war.and blood and bombs and carnage. it has to affect them later as adults. they were robbed of their own childhood! and it's so short anyway. and for a tiny puppy I think he's showing beautiful progress in everything! XO

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  18. Oh Hachi,, you keep healing,, and soon you will really be romping and playing, just like you used to!
    We so much love the photos of the 3some.. cuddling together. So much love..
    Your love them all KB and R,, and we do too
    love
    tweedles

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  19. They are all so sweet together!!!
    KZK

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  20. Great news about the food sharing. We're sure he'll learn soon, that no one is going to take his food. They certainly look content together.

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  21. That is wonderful to hear. One day at a time. Hachi is smart - he will get it, AND he knows he is loved!!!

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  22. One day at a time, right? That truly does apply to so many things. Keep up the good work! ♥
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  23. An added bonus to the bonding is that they take up less room on the couch, LOL.

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