Yeah, finally free!

During all this time Java had been on the leash we let Holly play with him here and there. She had gotten used to her "advantage" and they played kind of nice. He was good and gentle with her as well. Now things were about to change.

Mr. Java discovered, that Holly didn't like it, when he put his teeth around her legs and pulled on them. Who would like that? But he could get so wild knocking her over, that Holly became terrified of him. Our interpretation that is. She just left him as soon as she could get away, stayed on our deck and wouldn't even do her business with him around. We got Java tennis balls and he developed an attachment to balls! They didn't last long. Then we used a rubber kong ball. It was a security blanket for him. I played lots of ball with him and it was total fun. He got to run and was happy. Then chasing after the ball he strained his left front leg when he jumped down to the bottom of the stairs that lead down to the bottom of the property. He was limping. Vets orders: 2 weeks absolutely no ball or other activity. Metacam and other stuff. Total calm. Poor boy!

He is always eager to please and I tried to keep him busy in the house. At least keep his brain working. Teaching him to stay was a good one at the time. He still had so much to learn. No real walks again, no playing, it was pitiful. But even this time passed. After this was under control again it was playtime again. His desire to use his mouth constantly to chew on Holly's legs had gotten even stronger. He would go after our ancles and wrists as well. We started to use Holly's trick and implemented the NO teeth command and would ignore him every time he did it. Be nice and also quiet were two new things he had to learn. The mouthing was terrible still. I reached a point at which my nerves were totally shattered. I was going to give up, but didn't allow myself to do this. He was a creature that needed help. Watched lots of Cesar Milan shows on TV. Boy, they are so helpful.

So calm and assertive is the way to go.  As you can see on the newer videos I posted, things have improved big time. He has turned into a good companion for Holly and she is the leader. He has also mostly outgrown the mouthing. Next month he will be two years old and one year with us, and even though there is still a lot to be learned, I have no doubt that things will be just fine.