I’m pretty sure that Chester balks (so far) only around noon. Today I avoided doing place training at that time — we did some in the morning, and some in the mid afternoon. Sure enough, no problems getting him into the bathroom and onto his bed either time.

This morning he just couldn’t manage to stay on the bed when I went outside, although in the afternoon he did fine when I went out of sight in the house.

This afternoon I also kept him in the bathroom after training was done, while I showered. Since he hasn’t pooped since early this morning, I didn’t want him to have the run of the house.

He became very anxious when I didn’t let him out of the bathroom as soon as we were done, despite the fact that I was there. However, I gave him a treat that lasts a few minutes right before I got into the shower, and as far as I can tell, he stayed on his bed the entire time I was in the shower.

I was very pleased by that. I figure it just reinforces that his bed is a good place to be, and that I’m not always leaving when he’s on it.

Chester’s new beds seem to be working as his crate ought to — as his safe place. I don’t know why, but today everytime the cats even breathed funny he was jumping off the couch, growling and barking. I’m not really sure where this behavior has come from.

When he does this I have him come, go to his place, and do a down-stay. He does not get treated, so it’s not being reinforced by treats. After about the third episode in a row, I got annoyed & just let my voice show it. I told him he could stay there all day if he liked, and to my surprise he stayed on his bed for a good 10 minutes — I didn’t make him, he just did it.

For whatever reason, he calms down when he goes to his “place”. It’s similar to the boys & their mats. Whenever they really go at it — which is thankfully rare these days — I have them go to their mats & do a little training. They almost always calm right down & remain clam afterwards, too.

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