Stormy learning to bite where it is ok - early ball

Storm on box

Goal is to get the bite out and play tug and let him win, play tug for fun, satisfying hunt and bite needs, not needing food, and get the bite out where it is ok - and not at times when it is not ok. Storm saw Skye go for a ball, and occasionally went for it too at the time, months ago - Since he won't bite anything else other than real food, I got a tennis ball to rekindle a memory and it worked - it is the ONLY toy he will open his mouth for and I am using it as an entry point.
This is what one way of our "get the ball" looks like after a couple of days.

Yay - dog distraction - but impressive recall for Storm

Ok, this is not a stray dog picture - but I didn't have my camera handy, so a show of the cattle currently next door must do.

That's the cattle and the fence ...  not a real obstacle ...

This evening we went down to the gate area for a bit of pushing. Walking down the driveway, the cattle was not even noticed.
All went well, nice pushing.  Then there was a stray dog by the gate ....and both dogs went running to him, briefly barking ...and  I called and waved them both back and they came ...Storm ready for a BIG push. We did this a couple of times ...calling the "ready" as he was running towards the other dog ...and not only did he hear me, but he turned abound for an even bigger and very enthusiastic push. Then ANOTHER dog arrived and the 2 of them wandered off, unfortunately our deaf shakti running with them - and I have no way to call him...and THAT was too much distraction for Stormy ...3 dogs running off ...he had to follow them.

Now I know why to always use the long line - duh...
They came running back pretty soon though.

Regarding the playing and grabbing the ball on the way to get him to tug - very slow progress towards any actually tugging - it's like he does not dare ...what if he has a toothache? just kidding....

So much for the update - I like the effect of the pushing -  can't quite put my finger on it....

Pushing with a rat terrier - a visual

Introducing Storm and Pushing

This is during week 3 of pushing with Storm. He loves it. This is my first attempt to do pushing as well "flipping" at the same time, just so you can get a visual of what pushing looks like with a little dog. I kinda don't like to have you see me in my doggie clothes, but frankly, I rarely look like those sexy women from Westside German Shepherd rescue :)

Why pushing? From the naturaldogblog.com:"...goal with our dogs is to tap into their prey instinct, so that in times of stress our dogs will turn to us, automatically, as a way of resolving the stress. Pushing is a fundamental dog training technique that will shift your relationship with your dog, increasing their level of attraction to you during high energy moments, and also helping your dog learn to be relaxed during those times".

You can actually see it that 1 time in the video ...Storm is on a hunt - and he can't wait to get to me. Sets up a pattern that might come in handy ....

Pushing with Storm - week 2-4

Pushing reports - at times broken down day by day, of the pushing experience. Pushing is one of the basic exercises of the Natural Dog Training developed by Kevin Behan. Reports are in descending order. I try to do this 2x per day at

The Pushing posts - Natural K9 Dog Training progress reports - week 1

 Thursday, September 1, 2011 - Pushing day 7

As seems to be the case, the morning was ok, chicken treats helped though. Session was short and, as yesterday, I had both dogs. Evening was much better and fun. We had

Day 3 Pushing with Storm - Natural Dog Training basics

Ok, today was the 3rd day of "pushing" with Stormy, our 3 y old rat terrier. I do the pushing twice a day for 10-15 minutes at mealtime, and before he gets the rest of the meal.
I read about pushing on Natural Dog Training sites, but this description, here on Neil Sattin's natural Dog Blog was particularly useful.

Storm (more about him later) already had