Ninja Update (Video & Pics)
Thought I would update everyone on Ninja's progress...and now I have proof! Today my neighbor and his minpin deciding to go on a walk to starbucks. So I was walking Portia and Ninja behind them for about a block. (Ninja seems to be less reactive while walking with a dog first versus meeting face to face). My neighbor stopped and said his back was killing him and didn't think he could make the whole walk to starbucks and back.
Sooo...I tell him, I'll walk them and you can drive there. So, today was my first time walking 3 dogs at once. Luckily, Irie (male/neutered minpin) likes to walk on the left side, where N & P both walk on the right. The toughest part of the walk was managing to push the crosswalk button, lol.
I did get caught up once when a guy on his bike came up behind us and freaked Portia out and everyone got tangled. But other than that, the walk went good. No issues from Ninja at all.
So I get to starbucks and we hang out for a bit. I decide to let my neighbor drive us back home. He had to get gas, so we stopped by the gas station and then he was hungry, so he stopped by a drive-thru to get some breakfast.
I was a little worried with all 3 dogs in the car right next to eachother, but everyone did great.
We got back and we were chatting in my neighbor's garage, so I let go of Ninja and Portia's lead and got a little video of their interaction with Irie.
Now...for my question...
At around 0:20 Portia gets excited and play bows - then comes Ninja...his tail wags a little bit while he approaches Irie. At 0:37 Ninja rushes Irie and it looks like he wants to play. I was a little unsure both times - so I just said "Leave it" just in case. I did hear a little growl...but his hackles weren't up and his body didn't seem tense or very stiff. And Ninja is VERY vocal with growls and screams during play.
What do you guys think?
I am really proud of my little man! 6 months ago, I had no vocal control over Ninja when situations would come up and would have to physically restrain him. Being 10 feet away from a dog was passing his threshold and I could not for the life of me, get his attention without dragging him away from the situation.
All I can say is...TIME AND CONSISTENCY BABY!!! It really pays off!!!
Sooo...I tell him, I'll walk them and you can drive there. So, today was my first time walking 3 dogs at once. Luckily, Irie (male/neutered minpin) likes to walk on the left side, where N & P both walk on the right. The toughest part of the walk was managing to push the crosswalk button, lol.
I did get caught up once when a guy on his bike came up behind us and freaked Portia out and everyone got tangled. But other than that, the walk went good. No issues from Ninja at all.
So I get to starbucks and we hang out for a bit. I decide to let my neighbor drive us back home. He had to get gas, so we stopped by the gas station and then he was hungry, so he stopped by a drive-thru to get some breakfast.
I was a little worried with all 3 dogs in the car right next to eachother, but everyone did great.
We got back and we were chatting in my neighbor's garage, so I let go of Ninja and Portia's lead and got a little video of their interaction with Irie.
Now...for my question...
At around 0:20 Portia gets excited and play bows - then comes Ninja...his tail wags a little bit while he approaches Irie. At 0:37 Ninja rushes Irie and it looks like he wants to play. I was a little unsure both times - so I just said "Leave it" just in case. I did hear a little growl...but his hackles weren't up and his body didn't seem tense or very stiff. And Ninja is VERY vocal with growls and screams during play.
What do you guys think?
I am really proud of my little man! 6 months ago, I had no vocal control over Ninja when situations would come up and would have to physically restrain him. Being 10 feet away from a dog was passing his threshold and I could not for the life of me, get his attention without dragging him away from the situation.
All I can say is...TIME AND CONSISTENCY BABY!!! It really pays off!!!
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Ninja looks great. I thought that he looked like he was very good with the new dog in the video. Much better controlled. :-)
I'd say you read Ninja accurately and he did indeed want to play. I watched the video, then read your post, then watched the video again, and agree with your assessment.
I haven't been on the forum long enough to fully know your trials with Ninja but he looks like a very well-behaved dog.
Jesse
Hoozah!
It sounds like he is doing great with other dogs. And I agree with everyone else, I think he wanted to play. Congrats on all your hard work and consistency! It definitely has paid off.
As for you question, to me it looks like the little minpin is a bit stressed by P's play-bow and interaction. If you watch the little guy's posture before the play bow he is standing up strait and seems comfortable, but as soon as P approaches him he lowers his head and looks towards his owner for approval... as if he is uncomfortable with the interaction.
When P playbows at him he seems to be a bit conflicted - fight or flight? He seems like he may feel a bit trapped so he takes a slightly defensive position and his energy goes up a bit.
At that time N moves in and puts himself directly between them and gives the little guy a very subtle correction. The little guy backs off a bit and N has a bit of reassurance from it, so he moves back for another small interaction - and then again later.
The minpin is clearly not comfortable, while N is comfortable [and maybe a bit to excited] while P is VERY comfortable and calm. It seems like the minpin doesn't know how to act with the other dogs, he's not used to the attention or the interaction.
You call N back to you [with a leave it], I think that was the right thing to do - it was a diversion.
That's my thoughts.
----
Kudos to you and John.
the video doesnt work anymore :(
but from brada's description i would praise ninja even more... he showed a really important behaviour in dog communication... splitting 2 dogs between which theres a little bit stress or confusion means that your dog was really confident how to react... thats great!!
so perhaps it would have been better to compliment him instead of calling him back, which you normally do when he's behaving wrong BUT
pls consider that i havent watched the video and dont know the history of your little doggie... so theres the possibility that im writing crap :)
BB Lisa
Congrats Ninja, Romi, John and Portia!
FWIW, I think Brad hit the nail on the head in his analysis.