I've had my boy for over a month now!

Wow time flies! I have had Kirby for over a month now and he has made so much progress! Unfortunately we are still dealing with some aggression issues that are bound to happen with 2 male dogs who both don't really know how to be dominant. Kirby hasn't really challenged Franklin since the aggressiveness a few weeks ago, but Franklin really doesn't know how to appropriately correct Kirby's obnoxious behavior. Kirby will walk right over and take a rawhide out of Franklin's mouth, or a toy, or something like that and Franklin won't correct him, he will nip and him and jump on him and steal stuff from him when they are playing and Franklin just accepts it, and then they will be running together and Kirby will bump Franklin on accident and Franklin goes bonkers and attacks/corrects him. Kirby has NO IDEA what he is being corrected for in these instances. This has happened a few times now, it seems like Franklin is so patient with Kirby but then just can't take it anymore and explodes. I wish he would explode at more appropriate times though because I don't think Kirby is really learning anything from these corrections, other than Franklin is slightly bi-polar! Lol. The generally play very well together, Kirby's off leash training is going WONDERFULLY, he is very smart and obedient and not much phases him these days. He is still timid and fearful and has moments where he is convinced he is in trouble for NO reason, but these moments are becoming fewer and fewer. We were camping this weekend and were caught in a huge thunderstorm with lightening and hail and the works and Kirby slept through the whole thing! I was so happy! Franklin did pretty well too, he doesn't seem to be too afraid of thunder unless its RIGHT on top of us and rattles windows etc. Anyway, even though we have a ways to go, I am so happy with is progress. On Saturday he has his first photo shoot and we will see how he does in front of the camera! He is harder to photograph than Franklin since he puts his ears back so much, but it should be fun. I'll post pictures once they are processed!

9 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ludi on April 4, 2012 at 7:03pm

Egads, Kirby is looking devilishly handsome. When did that happen! Franklin better watch out, his supermodel position may be challenged some time soon! That last picture is solid gold - I love his sweet, soft expression. :)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Emily & Scout on April 4, 2012 at 7:19pm

The 4th picture down is just begging for a caption...

And Kirby is looking adorable. They are cute together!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on April 5, 2012 at 1:33pm

Yeah, that's Franklins "I TOLD YOU TO SSSSSTTTTTOOOOOPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!" face lol

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on April 4, 2012 at 7:24pm

He has great expression and is very photogenic. I am glad they are doing well most of the time. Your continued training will help increase his confidence. I wonder if calling him to you when they are playing and he gets a little too pushy would help him correct that behavior.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on April 5, 2012 at 1:36pm

I've tried calling him over or just keeping the leash attached and correcting him (when he doesn't listen). Franklin is also learning "get Kirby" and will correct him when I say that. Kirby knows the term as well so sometimes I can say it and Kirby will back off. Still very much a work in progress but hopefully he will start to understand that dogs don't like it when you are hanging off their sides with your teeth. I took him out with my friend's very dominant dog yesterday hoping that he would correct him at appropriate times but he just ignored him! Franklin is his best friend and one of the only dog's he gets along with and he seemed to treat Kirby just like he treats Franklin. So much for that idea lol.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Yuki & Ellie on April 4, 2012 at 8:44pm

Oh my goodness has he gotten handsome! I think it helps to see pictures where his ears are up, too. ;) He looks like a majestic lion in the last picture.