First introduction to the pack at the rehab centre

Rehab Day 8

Day 8.. opening day of the second week of our pack structure training program!!! This morning we did 10km run, daily walk including our usual training routine, during which we mainly focused on fixing the issues I mentioned yesterday!!! Nero showed slight change in his overall behaviour! It included less tension and more focus on me, which means less unnecessary eye contacts with Tyson!!! Altough, there was a moment during the training, where he lost complete control over himself and picked the fight, I still give him a credit for today's work!!

During his first week, he was very challenging towards me. Would not give in, even after recieving many repeated hard corrections!! This week, he started to be more receptive!! And that's the biggest number one change in him!!!!!!

During this first two weeks of our rehab, both dogs are completely suspended from bite work training, are not allowed any interaction with other dogs or human, and haven't been given any affection!!!

Waiting before a walk

Nero more relaxed walking on the opposite side of the leg now

P.S...no problems during evening walk or feeding...:)

Rehab Day 7

Day 7..the last day, of the first week pack structure training program, on solving dog to dog aggression. The entire week, was full of hard work and constant challanges! I must admitt, we all are exhuasted and running low on energy, but day by day, we making progress!!!

Today, we walked twice, for 2 hours each time, working on our usual training routine. No signs of aggression, during any of these excercises!!! Due to their good behaviour, I have added two new excercises to the program!

The first one being both males taking a sniff at each others bottoms! Tyson paid no attention to it, but Nero was not about to let that happen! Tension, dirty looks, hackles up and growls...but I wasn't going to put up with it! Worked on it for about 10 minutes. Switching them around, letting one walk behind the other, while allowing them taking a little sniff now and then. Suddenly, Mr. Nero gave up..laid down and let Tyson sniff him all over!!! Now the second excercise being switching the males, on to the opposite side of my legs, Tyson on the left and Nero on the right! Again, no problem with Tyson! Nero had handful of issues with it! We were battling around, for about 30 minutes, with some severe aggression outbursts! Just when it seem like he was giving in, he completely flipped out, this time turning his aggression at me!!!! He recieved one hard correction, and was placed on his side, until total relaxation! Then we started all over again!!! He still was tense, but showed no aggression! We practiced this on our evening walk again, where he snapped few times, but nowhere near the same way, he did in the morning! It will need, few more repetions, for him to fully understand, that walking on the right side is as safe as walking on the left!!!! 

Based on his issues with switching sides, I have made him eat tonights dinner, on the right side, which is where Tyson usualy eat!!! He didn't mind it!!!

walking along each others on busy roads

down position next to each others

Nero on the right side and Tyson on the left, Nero giving in, but remain tense

Nero eating on Tyson's usual place

One resting waiting for the other to finnish off, no tension

Now, both sleeping nice and snug in their crates!!!

Rehab Day 6

Reday to be called for dinner

No tension at all...busy eating..:)

Day 6...both males are doing great..sleeping well, eating well, and are very relaxed.  We started our day with 10km run, during which, for the first time in six days, none dog was muzzled!!!! No single sign of aggression towards each others, ar any other dogs, along the way. Today, I have also allowed Nero, to pass by Tyson's crate, couple of times...on lead....none has shown any aggression!!!!

Evening walk was great as usual, both shared few kisses, again... through the muzzles. Tonight's dinner time, was the most peaceful!!!

Until now, no dog was allowed to recieve any form of affection, from me or annyone else!  I'm hoping, that it will soon all change...as long, as both males remain in their balanced state of mind!!!

P.S. Love you, boys..cuddles and kisses!!!

Nero's stunts

Perching it's one of Nero's favorite activity...

Rehab Day 5

Day 5.. Today we did all our usual exercises, during which none of the dogs, showed any signs of aggressions, at all!!!!!! For the first time during this rehab, both dogs were put into the car together! I have removed the dog crates, from the boot, as they caused a lot of aggression, in the past. For now, I have split the boot in half, so each dog, has it's own space. Being unable to see each other, allows both dogs to relax! As, we are not ready, for any form of eye contacts, yet! To my surprise, during the travel, they were calm. Another step in the structure training..accomplished!!!!!!!! Dinner time went also well!!


P.S...during the walk along each other side, they shared few kisses...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxx

Rehab Day 4

Eating without me holding the bowls...no, we gotta work on the distance

Day 4..so far, the easiest day, of all...  Started of with a 6 mile run, early this morning, with both boys. Did our afternoon walk together, followed by our usual pack structure training... So far, for the first time this week, there was not any sign of aggression, at all!!! Also, for the first time, I was able to let one dog sit next to me, while the other dog, emptied himself, on the spot I picked for him, while on lead! Then, they switched around. This is a huge progress, because once one of the dog turns, and it's returning back to my leg, he will make straight eye contact, with the other, that is waiting. Eye contact, it's the biggest trigger to fight!!!

Evening walk was marvelous and feeding time was splendid!!! The boys, are showing such amazing progress, in such short span of time... You two are a stars!!!! :).


P. S....Oh, and they starting to become, seriously protective...Tonight, at the park, Tyson spotted a man hidding behind a shed, and gave him a big growl, followed by Nero's immediate back up... My little bodyguards..love yu!!!!