Murph's Going To Boot Camp

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm on my very last nerve with my Murph, and he's going to "boot camp". To all Murphy's wonderful "fairy godmothers" (yes, that means you, Karen), don't worry....the boot camp is right here at home. I will not be sending him off to some unknown trainer (although I'm not saying I'm opposed to that in some situations). My Murph has been "feeling his oats" for the past couple of weeks...challenging, testing, and just plain "misbehaving". So, I've been reading like crazy (because that's what I do). I have more training books in this house than you can even imagine...to say nothing of the DVDs (Adina, your recommended DVD just arrived). I feel good, because I now have a "plan" (again, that's just what I do). What I learned from all my reading is that he's just a normal adolescent puppy, and he needs a few things...exercise, discipline (or leadership) and training (not surprising). So I put my plan together today and here's what were doing.... my poor guy is going to be wondering what happened to the "gravy train". He is so different from his brother who never (okay rarely) tested me. I think some of it is due to his size and strength...Guinness always knew if he was doing something wrong, I'd just pick him up and it would be over. Murph knows that he is way stronger than me...he proved that today as he "dragged me across the soccer field (okay part way across the field)". I was totally mortified, but I held on to him with a death grip. Why did he do this....because he saw a "wild and crazy Lab" across the field, and he really wanted to get to him. So, Mr. Murph, get ready for "boot camp". Okay, sorry I digressed....here's what we're doing.
-He's starting intermediate obedience next Saturday with the same trainer I used for Guinness.
-I hired a "treadmill trainer" today who will come to the house to train him (and me of course). He'll be on that treadmill every day that is poor weather, or maybe just every day.
-I have decided to "bite the bullet" on my "germ/parasite" phobias and take him (just him) to run and chase the ball at our condo fenced dog park. Most of the time there are no other dogs there, so he'll get lots of exercise.
-I've been walking Murph and Guinness together. I'm going to start walking Murph separately once or twice a day, because I can better focus on his training.
-He's back to "waiting" for everything....food, water, going out the door, treats. I did that initially, but stopped a few months ago. It's time to begin again.
-He'll be going to Doggie Daycare once a week...he loves it there and he comes home happy and tired.

This is how I'm starting...and I'm really hoping it's the right approach. My plan is to totally "exhaust" him. At the same time, I know he just needs to understand exactly "what he's supposed to do", and that's where the training will come in. He's a big, wonderful "goofball" who lights up my life. He has been an amazing puppy who would do anything to make me happy. Well now, he's trying to see if maybe he can be "the boss". He never used to even care about that...he just wanted to be told how wonderful he was, loved, and given "lots of treats" for being such a good boy. Well now he's thinking...hmm maybe there's more. I'm hoping to teach him that he's not going to get by on his "adorableness" ...wish me luck, and I'll keep you posted on his "boot camp" progress. Please send any "words of wisdom".

[BG and Gavin]

Muphy - sounds like you are gonna get your sorry butt kicked back into shape! Do you have to get a crew cut? I hear the food isn't great "...a pea rolled off the table and killed a friend of mine - oh I don't want no more of Army life, gee ma I wanna go home!"

[Leslie and Halas]

Good luck! Guinness will probably be laughing at poor Murphy the whole time he's in Boot Camp. When you walk them together, do you suppose that Murphy might be trying to protect Guinness? Maybe getting out in front so that no one could get to either Guinness or you? Reading stuff about their personalities, it probably is what you said about a higher position, not a protection thing, but it is another idea. Plus, the one in front gets the first bit of attention from people walking by, too. Another incentive to be the first doodle in the pack.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That last straw was definitely the "trip across the soccer field". You would have to see it to believe it. The worst part was the "loser" who owned the crazy Lab who was jumping and barking and got Murphy going...he thought it was hysterically funny.

[Christine & Shelby]

Hey Murphy! Yikes... maybe the bed thing was too much - good thing I couldn't get up on mom's bed the other night to give it a try myself. Good luck with Boot Camp. My mom did a boot camp for herself for a while and she said she was really tired at the end of the day! I hope you survive... I know you will - after all, you are Murphy the Doodle! If you learn something new - let me know so I can try it out with my mom! Puppy Kisses, Shelby

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

So was the final straw the stripping of your bed or the getting dragged across the soccer field? ha ha...poor Murph. I bet Guinness gets jealous with all the one on one attention Murphy will be getting. But I do know what you mean. Every now and then they decide to push the envelope and try to get away with stuff. Gracie will do that and I have to restrict her freedom and work with her for a few days. I do just fine. It is the DH that is the major problem!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I've never walked two dogs together, but I know that if Jack was one of them, I couldn't do it. Or at least, I couldn't do it and control them both in such a way that the walk is enjoyable for all of us. Even though Jack is trained, he requires my attention, and if he knows he doesn't have it, he takes advantage. This may sound like I am fussing over him while we're walking, but I'm not. I'm just present and aware of what he's doing, and he knows that. I use body language and the leash to communicate with him, and I have to pay attention to him to do that. For example, when Jack is about to be reactive to another dog he sees coming down the street, the first thing that happens is that his ears go up, his body gets stiffer, and then his breathing gets faster and louder. My goal is to get his focus back on me before that breathing revs up. If I start talking to him, or shorten his leash slightly, or any number of other things I do to remind him I'm watching him, lol, I can head off a reaction. But if I had two of them...

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I just got back from a great training walk with Murph, and it really made me start to think. Walking with him alone, there was none of the crazy pulling and lunging that happens when I walk the two of them together. He was heeling and sitting whenever I stopped. We passed walkers and he didn't react. It made me start to wonder if when the two dogs are together, they are each vying for a higher position, and therefore trying to get out in front. I'm wondering if others have seen this as well. There are times when I have to walk them together....especially when we take them places. I'm confused now about how to react to this. I hope my trainer will have some insights...and maybe I'll pose the question in the multiple doodles group.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Get ready Murphy! Let us know how the progress is.

[shelly]

Oh boy, Murph... I've been there, done that! My mom said I grew horns (guess she thinks I'm a goat or somethin') and that I was worse than my human brothers' terrible twos and threes and fours all put together... AND she said I was worse than my bro's preteens too - >OUCH! that one really hurt! I hate to say it, but I didn't like the restrictions put back on me. I had to sit and wait for that whistle again to start eating, and I had my leash on me all day. I had to sit to go out, sit to come in - no fun! but I guess I learned my lesson... things are much more pleasant around here... but - promise not to tell.... I still have a couple of tricks up my sleeve. Like when I bark at visitors, stalk my human cousin like a sheep, and bark atthat darn cat that struts its stuff... Good luck! I'll be here for you! Tori {{{HUGS}}}

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good luck, Jane. If all goes well, I'll send you my two : )