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February 26, 2015

The Trick to Tiring a pup? Tricks.

Our bout with RPS (Restless Penny Syndrome) continues but we’re always up for a good challenge. And we’ve gotten quite creative with old and new ways to tire out our girl.  I know when Penny starts going after ears it means she needs an outlet for her energy
Our bout with RPS (Restless Penny Syndrome) continues but we’re always up for a good challenge. And we’ve gotten quite creative with old and new ways to tire out our girl. Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, dogs, marking our territory

I know when Penny starts going after ears it means she needs an outlet for her energy

Playing with Eko has been a great outlet for Penny, as has playing with her new toys and puzzles. Our time indoors also offers an opportunity to give Penny a mental workout through training.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, dogs, marking our territory

When the treats come out, I quickly have everyone’s attention

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, dogs, marking our territory

And all of a sudden the gang is eager to shake my hand

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, dogs, marking our territory

I like to think they shake my hand because I’m a friendly guy but I’m starting to suspect it’s for the treats

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, dogs, marking our territory

“Hey, buddy. Less photos and more treats”

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, dogs, marking our territory

I always like to review the basic commands with both pups. It helps remind them we’re in working mode and it lets me catch when one of them tries to cheat. Eko knows a “down” only counts if his butt is on the ground but he still tries to sneak in a fake “down” every once in a while

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, dogs, marking our territory Much better. Only proper form earns treats.

A solid review of basic commands is a good start, but the real mental workout comes when I teach Penny a new trick. I thought her excess energy might make the training difficult but instead she’s had a laser-like focus, eager to get to work.

I tried teaching Penny to play dead when she was younger but she was a bit too much of a jitterbug to stay down. Over the past couple days we’ve had some really good training time and Penny’s coming along quite nicely.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, dogs, marking our territory

She can stay still, miracles happen every day! 

The new tricks are nice, but the best part about training with Penny is that after she pretends to be knocked out, she hops up on the couch and is actually zonked. Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, chicago, dogs, marking our territory

A tired Penny is a beautiful thing indeed

Between Eko, toys and training we’ve thrown just about everything at Penny except the kitchen sink. Luckily it seems to be working and we’re all getting along just fine. I grabbed some video of our training session so hopefully I’ll have some shots to share on Friday of Penny practicing her fun new tricks.

Comments for The Trick to Tiring a pup? Tricks.

  1. oh treats… wonder why the kids still say trick OR treat… the treats are the trick, right?

  2. KDKH says:

    A fake down? Ha, ha! I thought only my dogs were that lazy. When I ask for a sit, sometimes I get more like a genuflect!

  3. greetje recko says:

    Hello I found your blog by searching everything about rrb. Thursday 5march I am getting my 1st puppy. A girl! You can imagin I am veeeeery nervous. I already read all the books I could found but the real thing is making me nervous. Everything is ready for my little pup but I think that I will be the one who needs some playtool to calm down ☺ wish me luck. I m sorry if my english is not that correct in spelling . Greetings Greetje

  4. coastingnz says:

    You are a good Dad Will – and you have Eko and Penny to prove it! Much loved pups and good pups at that.

  5. Kismet says:

    How long does Penny’s Purgatory go on?

  6. How cool that you’re able to teach new tricks. Sam looks at me like I just spoke to him in Yugoslavian which generally makes training sessions fairly abbreviated. Sigh.

  7. Emmadog says:

    Enjoy her craziness while it lasts. Before long she will start having mature moments and then before you know it, she will be all grown up. Bailie is still a nut, but her mature moments are creeping in more and more.

  8. dashlilly says:

    Penny Penny Penny (again!). Love the fake down. Dash is excellent at fake sits. A real pro

  9. Only a couple more weeks to go – right? Maybe the weather will cooperate and you;ll be able to sneak in an early morning run.

  10. raisingdaisy says:

    Looks like you’re all doing a great job keeping Penny busy! I cracked up at the photo of her going after Eko’s ear – is there no part of that pup that’s safe from Penny’s attention? 🙂

  11. fozziemum says:

    Indeed i suspect the treats are a real drawcard for a handshake 🙂 i love the look on the boys faces here when we say shake..they have paws up at the ready but eyes in the prize..who said males cannot multitask 🙂 hugs Fozziemum

  12. It’s always worth a try to play the fake-trick card. You could get lucky! When I was learning to sit up, I always “had to” hold on to Mom’s hand. Poor little me. Amazingly, when she started pulling her hand away, it turned out I could do it alone all along.

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

  13. always good to brush up on obedience. whatcha got a week left of house arrest?

  14. dogdaz says:

    I’m exhausted just reading.

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