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BrunoBruno came down from Palmerston North SPCA when Jazz went up. He had been at the SPCA there for a few months and just like Jazz, needed a change of scenery! Bruno looks like a brute of a dog but is in fact not a bully at all. He loves attention and cuddling but is a bit hand shy sometimes. When I first starting training with him, he seemed extremely confused. It has taken two sessions just to build his confidence enough to get a reliable sit where he looks even remotely comfortable. He enjoys the "target" game and is having a much easier time making eye contact now that his confidence has grown. He takes treats very gently and seems almost apologetic as he snuffles them out of your hand. He acts mildly worried about other dogs but gets along just fine with a roommate he has been living with since arriving in Waikanae. |
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May 26- Bruno had a short trial period with one potential adopter last week but it turns out Bruno was never socialized with cats and couldn't abide the feline presence. The adopter was heart broken and said that other than the "cat issue" Bruno was a perfect dog! May 28- Bruno was hanging out with three of the four month old puppies today and doing really well. His confidence has grown so much in the last month it has been really a pleasure to watch. We started working on the beginning steps of Loose leash walking today and still trying to perfect a "Down"! June 9- Bruno and I have started working on a fetch/recall cue where he dashing between the thrower's legs and then around their body to chance the ball then brings it back again on recall be dashing through the legs again! He is really enjoying the new game:) June 14- Bruno has done really well with all the basic cues he has been learning save for "Down". This one seemed particularly hard for him. I am guessing this is because he can be a little less than confident sometimes and it may be scary for him to put himself in such a vulnerable position as a down. However, I am pleased to announce that today he got! He had that lightbulb moment we have been waiting for and he was able to dow three downs in a row with very little luring. It is still a long road ahead for this cue to be on a verbal signal only but it is nice to have a breakthrough!
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July 14- Bruno is now getting along really well with a dog he previous didn't like. This is most likely because she is a bit older now (only 6 months) and he probably just has a slight aversion to puppies (we don't all love toddlers:) Bruno really is just a cuddle hog though, Tracy, the lady at the front desk at the SPCA has been letting Bruno sit with her lately and she says all he every wants is to just get petted.
July 28- Bruno is being moved to the Newtown SPCA for a few weeks, please go visit him there! |
