We had a week of continued steady work with Hachi. We did multiple visits to the exam room at our vet's clinic. He continued to get upset about voices in the hallway outside the room but he let his tension go pretty fast after reacting. By the end of each session in the exam room, he could hear the voices and not react. That meant that we had great practice rounds of the bucket game at the end of each session.
We also had sessions with our trainer. It is heart-warming to see how much Hachi has come to eagerly anticipate our sessions with her. He loves all the treats that he gets while interacting with her. And, this week, we made good progress on one lingering problem. That problem was that he'd be relaxed around the trainer all of the time except in those unstructured phases in between games. For example, if the trainer was playing one game with him but wanted to transition to a game outdoors. Hachi would bark at her as he moved toward the door to go outside.
We implemented something called a "pattern game" to use in the transitions. The specific one is "1-2-3". The handler (always the Runner right now due to my shoulder) says 1-2-3. He drops a treat to hit the ground in sync with him saying "3". He repeats this until we get started on the next game. I hope that this is a path toward Hachi feeling better about transitions between activities.
In between all the training, Hachi and Shyla loved playing together. I can't yet photograph them but this one was from shortly before my surgery. I am so grateful for their friendship.
It's great that Hachi has developed a good relationship with his trainer. After living with Bertie, who became deaf in the past couple of years of his life, I am now re-learning what it is to be around a noise sensitive pup. Nobby really didn't like it when we were playing in the garden and a helicopter flew overhead yesterday!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteEvery inch forward is valuable... YAM xx
this is truly good news, make that super news.. you go Hachi
ReplyDeleteWe're always glad to hear that Hachi continues to make good progress on his training. He and Shyla sure have fun playing together.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he's doing so well. You're such a great pup mom to make sure he has the best life he can have.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and week. Scritches to the pups and a healing hug to you. ♥
As I read your stories about Hachi, it puts me in mind of my grandson. He has ADHD and he has difficulty transitioning from one activity to another, and has sensory processing issues as well. Like Hachi, he has a mom who is a great advocate for him and works tirelessly to ensure he gets the best out of life.
ReplyDeleteYou are not the first to notice a similarity like this. I'm so glad that your grandson has a mom who works so hard to make life easier for him. It must be tiring but so rewarding for her (like for us!).
DeleteWe love hearing great news, Hachi!
ReplyDeleteOMDs KB so many captions came to mind with the photo of your babes~
ReplyDeleteHachi:Sissy you wanna dance
Shyla: Hachi you are invading my personal space
Great news on Hachi!!
Hugs Cecilia
Great news with the exam room! I will be especially interested when he's ready for the real deal and how it goes. I know there are more steps involved, but I think Hachi is going to do just fine when the time comes. Keep rocking!
ReplyDeleteHachi, you are the best learner ever, doing so well, And the photo, play, love, happiness, security, all wrapped up there.
ReplyDeleteI so love reading about the progress you are making with your boy! And you are spot on, it's wonderful when there's a bond between the dogs -- It always makes my heart so happy! ❤
ReplyDeleteHachi's progress continues to be a testament to your hard work. This is a terrific update! Rowan and I are using Pattern Games too, and 1...2...3! is one of her favorites. Did you take Julie Daniel's FDSA class on Pattern Games (that's how we learned), or learn it from Leslie McDevitt's "Control Unleashed - Reactive to Relaxed" book? (I'm shamelessly plugging both for other readers).
ReplyDeleteChris from Boise
Neither. Our trainers each independently came up with it. Hachi loves predictability so pattern games make him feel good!
DeleteThanks! I played 1...2....3! with Rowan to pass another dog on a relatively narrow path yesterday. First time using it in real life, and (because we had practiced it for weeks) she was totally focused on the game and didn't pay any attention to the other dog. Huge success!
DeleteChris from Boise
Hachi has come so far and your love and patience really is making a difference.
ReplyDeleteI think you are the only parents he would thrive under
ReplyDeleteIt's so wonderful they have each other to play with. I'm sure it helps Hatchi relieve some of his stress just being a dog with a dog. Keep up the good work with him.
ReplyDeleteAnother 'pawsome' Hachi report-well done!
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