Ritsu is going along for the ride this weekend when I go to an UKC show. We will see how he does at a show where I will be running around showing dogs. Thankfully it is a pretty quiet show and he will have his buddies Kazue, Tora and Kuma with him. This will be a good experience for him and help get him ready for the Classic.
Very proud of Ritsu this weekend. He entered the building where the show was being held without any problems. He freaked when we first got inside, but quickly settled down. He hung out for awhile and even let some people pet him. We kept it to about 15 minutes (small building with alot of people, dogs and noise), and then he went back out to the car with Tora. When we got to my friend's house, he went into the small exercise yard with Tora, Kazue and Kuma without problem. He sat to have his leash put back on, and willing jumped into the RV with Tora. The dogs and I slept in my friend's RV for the night. He willing got into a strange crate, and felt comfortable enough to eat his dinner with no issues. He is now willing to load into the car without any problems as well.
Well, we had a bit of a setback today. It made me realize that even though he has made leaps and bounds since he arrived, he still has a ways to go. I have had contractors working in my apartment all week. The dogs have been in their crates in their room while the work is being done. I keep a radio on in there for them, plus I also shut the door to the room and the bathroom.(you walk through the bathroom to get to the spare room) it was worked well to shield the dogs from the noise. I went to take the dogs out this evening and Ritsu freaked because the floor down stairs had changed. Before I could get to him to reassure him everything was ok, he urinated on the steps and ran back to his crate I cleaned up the steps, took the other out, and then came back for him. It took some treats, lots of encouraging words and help from steady Tora to get him downstairs and onto the new floor. He is ok now, but I could tell it shook his confidence some.
I know brad. I felt bad for him. Especially the look on his face when he urinated on the steps. I did get a hug from him when it was all over. His tail was wagging and he was playing.
It's ok really. This is not a big deal in life when you think about it.
I read these threads about Akuma and Ritsu and I think that Mika is so much like her dad and Kumi but she's still a very solid Kai.
Most dogs would be freaked by new floors. And for Kai's who have grown up around other Kai's they need the reassurance of other dogs to get through experiencing new things. He got over it. That's a good thing. Yes he ran back to his crate but that means that he has a safe place. That's a good thing. Look at the positive.
Koda who I think of as the prince who has helped out autistic children has his very sensitive days. But he is regarded as one if the best dogs his handler has ever worked with is a sensitive Kai. He runs to me when he needs help. This is the way of the Kai and it doesn't mean that it's bad. As my mom says they need to be reactive to survive as hunters and embrace their instincts to survive.
He's ok. You're doing great. I love Ritsu. He will always be that little puppy to me. You are exactly what he needs and Tora is To him like Koda is to Mika. You were meant to be his family. He will be alright.
Ritsu continues to make so much progress. His confidence improves with every outing. He had a big leap forward this weekend. He met my boyfriend for the first time. We had put off the meeting as I did not want to stress him out at home. Well, He made me doubt putting it off for so long. After about 30 seconds of barking, he was in Kevin's lap and licking him like crazy! He was very happy to bounce, play and wrestle with Kevin. His tail was going non stop!
Yeah, I remember our discussion Osy. The other dogs had already approved of him awhile back. I guess I get a little oversensitive to Ritsu and not pushing him too far past his comfort zone. The timing seems right with Hiro being gone as there is now no tension between any of the dogs.
Comments
I read these threads about Akuma and Ritsu and I think that Mika is so much like her dad and Kumi but she's still a very solid Kai.
Most dogs would be freaked by new floors. And for Kai's who have grown up around other Kai's they need the reassurance of other dogs to get through experiencing new things. He got over it. That's a good thing. Yes he ran back to his crate but that means that he has a safe place. That's a good thing. Look at the positive.
Koda who I think of as the prince who has helped out autistic children has his very sensitive days. But he is regarded as one if the best dogs his handler has ever worked with is a sensitive Kai. He runs to me when he needs help. This is the way of the Kai and it doesn't mean that it's bad. As my mom says they need to be reactive to survive as hunters and embrace their instincts to survive.
He's ok. You're doing great. I love Ritsu. He will always be that little puppy to me. You are exactly what he needs and Tora is To him like Koda is to Mika. You were meant to be his family. He will be alright.
Go Ritsu!
I'm glad Ritsu did so well too.