Wodin's Family

Wodin now has a prong collar which is being used for road walks because of cars.  When using a prong collar, which I HIGHLY recommend, be sure there is a second collar and both are attached to your leash. Rarely the prongs will separate leaving the dog free to run out into traffic. Never leave a prong collar on an unattended dog; it could hang itself. Wodin still gets very hyper when a vehicle comes by; taking a bait bag along for walks and rewarding for appropriate behavior will help our herding dogs react appropriately to cars. (See blog from June 21 for more about prong collars.)

If your dog struggles against having its collar put on or taken off, use treats to reward it while doing that. 

Wodin's bird barking has reduced considerably; his pet peeves are robins and sea gulls! He noticed that Mom was taking photos of an osprey flying overhead a few days ago and even though gulls flew by he didn't bark at them but just watched....too smart!(Our dogs are more likely to bark at predator birds like hawks and eagles than birds like geese, song birds, etc.)

Wodin used to bark incessantly when left in an enclosed area. Now Steve and Imelda attach him by his long lead to anything nearby and even if they're 400 yards away, he just settles down and not a squeak!

They plan to start leaving him alone, something they just don't do, but they reckon he should learn to be able to cope with that situation anyway. Their lifestyle seems to include him all the time! Lucky Dog!

Wodin was pretty good with visiting grandkids although he tried to jump up and herd two year old Jacquie. He got better especially as she learned not to sit down but stand tall and ignore him. 

(Remember? the "Tree Exercise"? Teach young children to stand tall, arms crossed on their chests, their back to the dog, not looking at the dog - as if they were a Tree. Ignoring dogs may encourage them to seek a more accepting target.)

Wodin was just too eager to greet everyone in the morning. (I have found in my home that my guests have to discourage the jumping up themselves. The dogs ignore me when I correct them. If each person discourages the offending dog, the dog will remember and after a couple of corrections, will stop. I suggest using the knee to gently knock the dog off balance and saying "Off!". Be sure to reward with praise, treats or toys.

Wodin has really lengthened in the body and has discovered that now he can reach things on counters, etc. or jump on beds which he couldn't do before so they have some more training to do there. (I set mouse-traps and either place them upside down on the counter, coffee-table, etc. or place them right-side up but covered with a newspaper. It's smart to discourage counter-surfing while they are puppies and more easily trainable. Placing traps upside down or covering them with newspaper reduces the risk of hurting the puppy while still making a nose which will startle and surprise the pup. PLEASE! Don't leave set traps around small kids!!! Also be careful yourself. I have surprised myself with my own traps! Ouch!)

He has quite a few new adult teeth, and he's chewing on things big time but he is able to distinguish between human things and dog appropriate things.

                                                 (Click to enlarge.) 
He loves his swimming and now surges through waves too; he enjoys his boat rides and car rides. He has a harness for the truck because the crate doesn't really fit. So, all in all, he continues to be a joy and blessing. 

Imelda and Steve's extended family visited recently and one family brought along their four year old border collie who had a great time with Wodin. Border Collies, Shelties, Collies, Corgies, and many Spitz breeds share common ancestors with our Icelandic Sheepdogs.