Dog Training 411: Excitable Dogs
Bristol is my yorkie, and I often describe her as "a magnetic boomerang". She is absolutely nuts about people (and nuts in general). Dogs are sensitive to varying degrees to both physical touch and to sound, and Bristol is a unique blend of hyper sensitive in both of these ways. She is the most submissive dog I have ever come in contact with, but she is also extremely high energy (constant excitement). She is a dog who thrives on contact with people, and so we've had to work on lessening the affirmation from "oh, what a good dog you are!" (followed by belly rubs and tons of excitement) to "good job." (pat on head). She is learning and re-learning her social boundaries everyday, and she is always improving. I've had a blast working with her over the last few years, she is an expert with the roller blades and is incredibly smart and obedient (as a dog who seeks to please people, this makes total sense).