Here is my new K-9 Partner "Boru." Named after the legendary King of Ireland, Brian Boru. I mentioned that I had the opportunity to get a very nice dog that wasn't working out with his team mates. Boru is a KNPV titled Belgian Malinois X Dutch Shepherd tested, selected and imported in November by some very talented trainers that work with a very elite unit. Boru wasn't working out as intended for them, he had an issue with multiple handlers working him. As I mentioned in another thread, he nailed a couple of handlers and a trainer. This was not an option for the types of missions these guys do.
I got Boru last Thursday and noticed a couple of issues which I mentioned. One was that he had some apprehension about "loading up" in the car. Initially, I didn't want to fight with this dog and was trying a take it slow, more motivational approach. He is just over 3 years old, very large, very strong and very intense. I don't like to fight with dogs and especially not this dog knowing some of his history. Well, the first days were a little rough getting him into the car. I used food and waited, and waited until he jumped in. I think it took 20 minutes one very cold and rainy night. The fact that it was midnight and I wanted to take care of my other dogs and tired, didn't help. I have fed him 3 x a day in the car. All his meals were fed in the car and he had to get in to eat.
I kept at it for 4 or 5 days and I could see the anxiety go away and the time shortened. We bonded and have an awesome relationship. He is a great dog, that is actually very affectionate and fun. I think his association was that he had with the car was being put away for hours and the fun was over, combined with some E collar work to get him in the car.
We have a 12 acre fenced training compound with multiple buildings to use. I brought him there Monday, locked the gates and let him run. I played the "two ball game" to work the out and recall. Hid in a large building and called him in to find me. A fun easy way to start building search training.
I gave him his toy and he laid in the grass chewing on it. I placed cheese in the back of the car, opened the cage to the front seat and left the rear door open. I drove about 20 yards and he came running to the car. He then jumped in and ate the cheese. The cage was open and I petted and praised him. He jumped out and I put more cheese out and he jumped in and out.
I am very happy to say that getting in the car is no longer and issue and something Boru really enjoys. He was in and out with ease today at training with a very eager jump in. He now waits when I open the door and will stand to be praised, petted and loved on when he hops in.
Here are a couple pics of my new partner:
I got Boru last Thursday and noticed a couple of issues which I mentioned. One was that he had some apprehension about "loading up" in the car. Initially, I didn't want to fight with this dog and was trying a take it slow, more motivational approach. He is just over 3 years old, very large, very strong and very intense. I don't like to fight with dogs and especially not this dog knowing some of his history. Well, the first days were a little rough getting him into the car. I used food and waited, and waited until he jumped in. I think it took 20 minutes one very cold and rainy night. The fact that it was midnight and I wanted to take care of my other dogs and tired, didn't help. I have fed him 3 x a day in the car. All his meals were fed in the car and he had to get in to eat.
I kept at it for 4 or 5 days and I could see the anxiety go away and the time shortened. We bonded and have an awesome relationship. He is a great dog, that is actually very affectionate and fun. I think his association was that he had with the car was being put away for hours and the fun was over, combined with some E collar work to get him in the car.
We have a 12 acre fenced training compound with multiple buildings to use. I brought him there Monday, locked the gates and let him run. I played the "two ball game" to work the out and recall. Hid in a large building and called him in to find me. A fun easy way to start building search training.
I gave him his toy and he laid in the grass chewing on it. I placed cheese in the back of the car, opened the cage to the front seat and left the rear door open. I drove about 20 yards and he came running to the car. He then jumped in and ate the cheese. The cage was open and I petted and praised him. He jumped out and I put more cheese out and he jumped in and out.
I am very happy to say that getting in the car is no longer and issue and something Boru really enjoys. He was in and out with ease today at training with a very eager jump in. He now waits when I open the door and will stand to be praised, petted and loved on when he hops in.
Here are a couple pics of my new partner: