Pilot is my 7+ month old Jack Russell Terrier. We call her Spitfire Pilot or Sassass. We think she came with a rocket fuel pack when she was born. The Eveready Bunny and Pilot have the "keep going" gene in common.
Training for "Home Alone"
I left to do some errands this afternoon and I wanted to set her up for "home alone" success. First we played ball for about 15 minutes, until she was hot and panting and a little tired. She loves playing ball and will fetch it and bring it right to my hand as many times as I my arms hold out. So as not to give the same leaving cues each and every time I leave so she learns to predict my departure, I gathered my things I plugged in the calming DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheremone) Diffuser and gave her some Rescue Remedy, cleaned up the house a bit, made a phone call and then went to put her in her crate . Then she willingly ran into her crate which was mined with some food dispensing toys containing her brunch and put a towel over the door. I put the other dogs in their crates and then I waited nearby out of sight and came back to reward her several times for being quiet. When I left she cried when she heard the gate so I waited and about a minute later the crying faded out. When I returned about 45 minutes later she was crying again so I waited about five minutes and when it had tapered off for over a minute I went in to get her. I let her out and stood clamly for a few minutes not paying any attention to her until she stopped circling around my feet and went up to the garden to do her business.
I hope Pilot appreciates the investment we are making in her education. By the time we are done she should have a degree in "Home Alone" science!
