A Week With Bear

Hello everyone!

Bear is really starting to open up with us. He will come up to us when he wants to be pet. He doesn't go on the couch even if we pat the couch. It's not a bad thing. This would be great for people who don't want their dog on the couch. He also doesn't usually go upstairs. I think he prefers wood over carpet. 

Charlie is having some troubles lately. Yesterday he got mad at Bear again because of the tortoise. We think Charlie believes the tortoise is his. Bear is only curious and sniffs the tortoise. But Charlie won't have it. I make sure to correct Charlie's behavior by tapping his nose or butt and telling him No and It's not okay while pointing at him. Another good way to let your pet know you are serious is to hold their scruff and tell them No. (I use that as well).

This is the little guy who has no idea he is causing quite a few problems.

He is a year old Sulcata tortoise whom we call him Little Houdini because of his previous escapes from our back yard. Another name for him is Turtle. 

...Back to Bear. He still doesn't come when we call his name. Only sometimes he will. (Depending on if he wants to come to you or not.) As you can tell this is one of those times he decided he didn't want to come.

(Don't mind the mess in the background. It's a DIY project.)

I am working on trying to get him to come when called using treats. But only things like lunch meat, eggs, cheese, etc. This is because he doesn't like any dog treats or anything meant for dogs except dog food. This dog is crazy! I've tried so many different types of dog treats from rawhide and jerky to training treats. He also dislikes peanut butter. PEANUT BUTTER! Does anyone else's dog dislike peanut butter? Lol.

This is what I gave the dogs when I found out Bear didn't like peanut butter.

They are Kong toys that are really useful for keeping your dog busy. Like when you go out and they are in their kennel or outside. You can put peanut butter, treats, special Kong treats, or Kong spray.

Charlie has taught Bear some bad habits... Charlie has his little spot in our guest bedroom which is the pillow on the left side. Only that one so it is covered in dog hair. Bear has seen Charlie laying in there many times and now he thinks he needs to do it to.

He also has made some bad habits of his own. One time Bear has got on his hind legs and sniffed the trash can. I told him no because I knew what he was thinking about. The second time he actually knocked over the trash can and tried to get into it. Luckily, we caught him and told him no and that it wasn't ok to do that. He was so scared and layed down on his back showing he was submitting to us. (Dogs may also lay on their side to submit). We didn't yell, just used a stern voice and pointed at him. 

Bear also doesn't know that car rides are fun until he gets in the car. 

He won't jump in the car himself, I have to pick him up in order to get him in there. Although he is only 23 pounds, he is HEAVY for me since I'm used to picking up a 10 pound dog. Maybe that's a sign I should start working out...