Yes, we have decided to call him Corey. It just stuck. After tomorrow night, it will just be the duo and I will update you from time to time on this blog.
Both are doing well though it does appear that Misty wins most of the time but not all of the time. That's good. They will remain in the xpen at night together till after the wedding and then they will come to bed with us.
Corey got it in his mind to bark, bark for attention or to get out. He would do it for hours. He's been doing it for the last few days. He's the only one who has tried it out for size. So, I took a spray bottle and each time he barked I sprayed his way - not in his face to interrupt the behavior. Each time he didn't bark with a gap of time after his barking, I picked him up. He has not barked since. Smart dog. They will all try to use their voice to get what they want, if you allow. Best to nip it in the bud.
Now he just looks at me longfully to get my attention. He's getting a ton of attention but you do not want to give them attention for bad behavior otherwise they will use it always.
You can also use other methods such as clapping your hands - anything to interrupt the behavior fast. Distraction is the key and rewarding the behavior you want works.
Never use anything that scolds the dog. Use positive training. Interrupt, get them to focus on you and the fun begins. Training creates a bond like no other!
On another note, we had puppies outside one year when gardeners next door used hedge clippers next to us. They were loud and even irritating to us humans. The dogs went scurrying to hide as it scared them. First response is to go pick them up and say its okay but its the wrong thing to do. By picking them up, you just validated that being fearful of a loud noise is okay. So, instead you distract them. You act as if this is normal and they are being silly. I even used a keyword when I was training Kat that said 'Silly boy' each time something unsettled him. That keyword told him its okay. It has worked throughout his life when he was presented with something he did not know how to deal with.
When we start getting thunderstorms, I will go outside holding a puppy or two and ooh and ahh over the storm. I am upbeat and act as this is wonderful. My dogs are not afraid of thunderstorms. I never coddle when they are afraid. You interupt and you stay upbeat and mean it. Of course this does not work if you are afraid as they will feed off of your fear.
I went on too much but having two with distinct different personalities willl be fun.