Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Tonight was a big leap, I think.. My mom just told me about it.. Apparently while my mom was cleaning her bedroom he got ahold of a bag of stuff that was sitting on her bed.. He grabbed one thing in particular and took off.. She had to make sure she didn't need it so she followed. He hid under the couch, like he always does. Before, when he was under the couch you just did not reach under there, period. He would snarl and bite and you just learned not to. There was no getting him out from under there, and you could not get anywhere near anything that he had.

Anyway, my mom lay down on the floor beside the couch looking at him and told him "drop it". He did!! And then she reached under there, took the paper he had, and he didn't even move! I can't even tell you how amazing that is. 3 weeks ago, he may or may not have dropped it, but either way he would have tried to amputate her hand when she reached for what he had. It was an envelope and she took what she needed out of it and gave it back. I figure if we keep taking things from him with no reward, why would he want to drop anything? So he got to satisfy his insane paper-shredding habits.. I know that won't teach him not to take things, but that's alright. As long as he willingly gives whatever he takes back, I'm happy with that..

My dad has been working with him so far on just obedience issues. My work went far but he just will not listen to me like he listens to men and Matt wouldn't do it. When he's really got everything down, then my dad starts working with women so that Kaiser realizes that he has to listen to everyone, not just men.

Anyway, just wanted to let anyone who was concerned know that he's doing amazingly well and being the incredibly intelligent boy he is, he's learning very quickly. I haven't seen him in two weeks though and it's starting to really drive me nuts.. I live hours away so it's hard, but it helps to know that things seem to be improving.. I'm starting to have a little hope, but I'm being careful not to get too excited until we see how the actual aggression training in public progresses..

very interesting - the change in that boy in that specific situation.

thanks for the update & that picture - will be hoping for continued improvements...Lynn

Glad things are going well so far! What an awesome father you have to do this for you and Kaiser!
I bet you can't wait to see him this weekend. I wonder how he will take it, you coming then leaving again.

Yeah, I've never respected anyone like I respect and love my dad.. He's definitely the king of my world, I'm so lucky to have such a great relationship with him..

I was wondering how Kaiser will take it too. I'm happier than ever that we spent so much time living with them this summer and off and on since then. They're a second family to Kaiser and their home is his second home, he's completely comfortable there and with all of them and the other dogs.. I think that the transition would have been much harder on him if it was a new home and new people, but in the time I've had him he's spent almost equal time at each home, so I think he's okay..

I'm sure it's just as strange for each of us, not having the other around, but it's for the best. Hopefully he'll be able to come home with me in the future. I'm not asking for a time limit, just "sometime".. Any time is better than the alternatives..