So, we're still making progress. I'm actually waiting for my next session with the behaviourist. Our timeline was pushed back as he's been out of town. I've been working on the walks and general commands with Trigger. Realistically, I need to hunker down and really focus on recall work. It's definitely his weakest spot and he definitely chooses to ignore me more often than not. Even on 6' lead sit/stays with a recall at the end, more often than not he doesn't come to me, but rather goes past me. Definitely need work here.
Only minor hiccups between Trigger and Cannon lately. I've been able to anticipate them, however, and nothing has come of them. Most have been centered around feeding time and honestly, I think many are triggered by some of Cannon's more problematic behaviours. For one, Cannon tries to hide/guard/scavenge her food. If allowed, she will grab whatever it is and run to another room to eat it (she would do this pretty much daily when Mar feeds her raw). She will do similar things when Trigger is eating - for example, tonight a little tiny half kibble landed on the ground. Cannon swooped in, grabbed it, and ran back away. I really want to do work on feeding them together, but I need Marlies back to do it as they would both need leashes to ensure that everything works properly. Right now I'm not very happy with feeding time - I keep a leash on Trigger just in case. While Cannon is eating, I watch him carefully. He seems to be fighting the urge to go take her food. He will pretty much repeat sit...down...look at Cannon...look at me until she's done. I gave him maybe two verbal "heys" tonight when he seemed to be getting too aroused. It's also hard to work with Trigger on eating in a calm state when she is fluttering about. He did good with his take it/leave its tonight. He was obviously in an aroused state when finished eating though. I took him with me to the basement and then came back up and Cannon was milling about in the kitchen and he gave a growl/bark which I quickly corrected (he was still on leash). So yeah, this is a work in progress.
Overall though, they are getting along much better. I've invited them both up onto the bed in the morning when I've been sitting and reading blogs or whatever, or invited them on the couch downstairs when I'm watching TV. They wouldn't do this before. Now they'll sit together, even touching. I feel like that's got to be progress.
Took both dogs on separate rollerblades yesterday. The way they approach it is fascinating to me. Trigger does what Rocket did - he will run, but he runs at the pace I'm keeping. If I want to slow down, he slows down with me. In fact, I'd say his heel is better on rollerblades than on feet - he's far more inclined to stay with me. Cannon, on the other hand, sees the rollerblades as an excuse to book it. No word of a lie, I got myself into a waterski stance (knees bent, back straight, head up, arms out) and she pulled me around for about 3km, at least a third of this a slight uphill. She just goes, goes, goes, and I'm sure what is happening in her mind while doing it isn't entirely healthy (as I suspect with most of Cannon's behaviours).
