Sunday, March 23, 2008

On Nadine

Yes, she is a pit bull. No, she does not eat babies. Not even one.



This year will be a big one for us, and one of the many goals is to start serious training with Nadine. She needs it. When we are at a good point in her training, we will shoot for this. This is important for me as a renter, simply because Nadine is a pit, she needs to be better than other dogs. Having her CGC will allow me to prove to a real estate company or landlord that my dog is properly trained and that training has been evaluated and approved by a professional.

Also, The great people over at PBRC's Pitbull-L forum are big proponents of NFL (no free lunch) training, it is here. The whole idea is about Nadine earning everything she wants and needs. Nadine is a "fraidy dog" (but still incredibly sweet and after LOTS of socialization in the last 3 years, will approach people to give kisses) and I am hoping to help build her confidence. Specifically, her issues are with strange booming noises (loud or not), digital cameras and flashlights that are turned on, and the dark. Yes, my dog is actually afraid of the dark. She also prefers to sleep under the bed, or covered up with a blanket. She basically prefers to hide. We will work on easing these fears through desensitization training and NFL.

A excerpt from the PBRC site:
"In this program, all your dog must do is place her rear on the ground and defer to you for a few minutes. (Saying, 'please') This is a simple yet powerful behavior. It allows your dog to have some say in her life. It also increases her self-confidence in a positive way while giving you back control. If you understand how to get what you want from each other in a mutually respectful way, stress is reduced and a peaceful relationship can form. If done correctly, this program works quickly and easily."



Wish us luck...

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