Moku's Last Frisky Fit Wednesday of November, 2015

Daily CHALLENGE & ACTiViTY Summary

Dog’s name: Moku

Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Physical Fitness

We took our neighborhood walk, with an extension around the perimeter of Kroll Park; I’m guessing 1.2 miles. Moku swam when we got home. We also parked extra far from the PetSmart entrance, which added a few steps to the proverbial pedometer. We also weighed Moku; he weighed in at between 88 and 89 bs!

Cognitive Fitness

Moku did so well on our continued practice with ROLL THE BALL, I actually had to ponder whether or not some of his responses were accidental or intentional! This is one of those things you need to see to believe, (and I know you’ll enjoy the video)! Another fun thing to note, is that the freakishly smart Bichon mix I’m pet sitting right now didn’t get this anywhere near as quickly as Moku did! He (Che Guevara is his name) must be a different type of learner in the Dognition paradigm; it would be so interesting to see how they compare! It just goes to show, like the canine cognitive experts relay, intelligence is relative, not linear, and each dog (like each person) has his own unique way of thinking, doing, and being in the world.

If I’m not overreaching or anthropomorphizing, I would say that Moku displayed inferential reasoning today in the ball rolling exercise. He seemed to understand that, when I didn’t reward him for the ball rolling in one direction, it must’ve meant I wanted the ball to roll in a different direction (toward me). Many recent studies on canine cognition show that dogs have this ability, and in fact learn about how to do things as much by learning how NOT to do them, just like humans do.

Social Fitness

Moku played lots with his bestie, Clancy, today. This warms my heart so much. I’m so happy they are finally the good buddies I always knew they would be!

Emotional Fitness

Moku was exceptional in this realm today! Specifically at Camille’s, where he and I sat on the patio while I ate breakfast. First of all, when we got there, I connected him to the wrought iron fencing next to my table, asked him to lay down, and went in to order (I could see him through the window). He was calm and cool as a cucumber. When I returned to the table, a lady who had been sitting outside of Camille’s in the courtyard went on and on about what a good boy he was! She couldn’t believe he was only a year old!

Then, a couple came in with two little dogs – a shi tzu and a yorkie. Both were typical “little dogs”, especially the yappy Yorkie. Moku whined for a few seconds, but that was it! I asked him to lay down, which he did. But not even begrudgingly, or with lingering “ants in his pants”. He calmed right down and just chilled. Even when the little dogs barked at him when he shifted positions a couple of times! I was amazed and so proud. He really shows me, in moments, how far he’s come in learning to regulate his own energy…which is the WHOLE point in training the way we do with him! It’s not about us always “controlling him”. It’s about giving him the foundation on which he is able to control himself. Good boy, Moku!

Primal Fitness

Swimming and pack walking were Moku’s primal activities today. Interestingly, I’d have to say that having focus and self-control around a tennis ball, was almost “anti-primal”. Or rather, a transcendence of his instincts. This is a talent, to be sure!