dog training

Training Brand: He’s getting it

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IMG 5111So, our training schedule has been a bit crazy this week. People family comes first though sometimes I wonder why. Brand is really catching on to sit, down, leave it, look at me, touch, and I think he’s gradually getting used to leash walking. He clearly has figured out that click means treat. We haven’t started any controlled leash walking yet; but, I’m sure it won’t be long. We went to the lake Friday evening. He loves the water and boats. Didn’t seem to mind the kids and went leaping through the tall grass and even out into the water. Found lots of smells and we did a bit of proofing on trash cans with noisy lids.

I will make a point of taking him out more in the dark. He is unfamiliar with shadows and will freeze and be apprehensive if we are near a street light. We encountered a bunnies and a kitten tonight. He was interested and did watch intently when one bunny ran across the road. Mico ignored it all. He is so over critters. His opinion of cats is – they stink. Brand was also interested in the lawn sprinkler. Hopefully, he doesn’t become obsessed like Jade is. I will make note of his progress there.

He is four weeks old now and weighs about 12 pounds. Mommy & Daddy are both large IGs but they have AKC CH titles. Mary, Brand’s breeder says he has his father’s head which is preferable to his mothers. Gotta give the little Duder credit for learning so quickly with huge distractions for every training session. Seems we can never lose all the distractions. I don’t have very good control over the environment.

Maybe tomorrow  my new motto.

 

 

Training Brand: Something Different

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IMG 4974Today was a little different. Jean took Brand to her room and he hung out while she was on Zoom with her friends. Good opportunity to have someone else handle him and meet his needs. He did very well. Later in the evening Jean did a bit of training with him so we could see how well he could sit, down, touch, and look for someone different. He far exceeded expectations including massive distractions from Belle the big fluffy English Shepherd. 

Belle & Jade want to participate too. But, being spoiled girls they think it requires an immense amount of sneezing and speaking.  Belle is working on her stays. She really doesn’t grasp the concept yet. And, yes, She is to be 9 years old in just a few weeks.

Mico and I went to the park again. I brought treats and the clicker to see if I can continue to get him to take treats and do a few simple things. Still no sit really; but, when he does inadvertently sit I am rewarding it.

We worked on Look. I think he’s kinda getting it. He’s so happy on our walks. He adores playing with Brand. Maybe we can address his issues with Jean this weekend. I’d so love for him to be a full member of the family.

 

 

Traning Brand: Social Scene/PetSmart

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IMG 5020This was a big day for my boys. They started out the day playing together in Mico’s crate. I’m so happy that the two boys get along so well. I have a head cold or maybe allergies. So, when Jean decided to go to Walmart, I suggested it would be a good opportunity for me to do a little socialization with Brand at PetSmart.  It was quite an experience. Lots of new things: dogs, children, toddlers, shopping carts, automatic doors, fish, kittens, loud seagulls, different surfaces ,and oh so many smells. He relaxed enough to accept chicken and even begged for dehydrated treats. He offered behaviors and bravely sniffed the shelves. He has a quick recovery time. He is very aware of the sounds around him more than anything. Things I never even pay attention to.

The weather is cool and cloudy so he seemed very comfortable; but, it was a long jammed packed session and he was one tuckered pup when we got home.  He did seem to watch out the car windows as we were coming and going.

So far no accidents with the indoor potty area. I’m a bit concerned that the transition to going outdoors will be rough; but, if he chooses to go in a potty area then I guess that’s the best thing.

When we got home I could hear a band playing in the park. Mico and I spent nearly 2 hours enjoying the music and activities at the park. He’s such a solid dog. He isn’t worried in the least about fireworks or loud music. He greet strangers as he should and seems interested in other dogs unless they look at him then he barks at them.  This is something we need to address.  

I subscribed to Pupford Academy today mostly to have some reminders. It’s been a few years since I’ve done serious training.  I was reminded immediately of the work by Karen Overall a dog behaviorist vet. Originally, I was thinking of that segment of the training for Belle; but, you know, now I really have some good ideas for working on the Mico/Jean relationship. His body language shows concern and if we start desensitizing; they might just become more comfortable in each other’s company.

Most of today was screensaver training which is not as easy on the trainer as it might seem. You need to stay attentive and flexible to control what environmental variables you can control and still be flexible enough to use what happens though it might seem to bother the pup. Training Jade was so much easier because I had no other obligations and could focuss on her 100%. Also, we were on a road trip so I didn’t have to look far for new experiences and people. There were some challenges to controlling her environment and some time issues for acclimatizing her to new things.  All in all her training and socializing went pretty well.

I don’t want to make mistakes with Brand since I want to show him and perhaps even compete with him. Great expectations for a smol wee guy.

Training Brand: After Dark

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IMG 4993Today was an introduction to schedule changes. I had to get up extra early to get my car to Joe at Corral Auto Repair. Everyone seemed to adapt well to the upset day. 

Took some time on this deliciously cool day to give Mico an extra long slow walk to Gregory Park. He enjoyed taking treats and met some very loud young girls at the fountain. He won’t offer me a sit yet but at least he’s taking treats. It’s a start.

Brand had a long day so napped in the evening. We didn’t get outside for leash work and screensaver training until nearly midnight. It was an adventure. He offered sit and gave me regular attention. We slowly made our way around St. Francis School. He was a little wild child at first. Mico seemed more interested in stretching and treats. Brand was most apprehensive of shadows. Of course, he’s an Alaskan Springtime puppy so he hasn’t really been outside when it was dark. I made the shadows fun and not scary. He seemed to process. He didn’t seem to mind the wet grass and sidewalk from the sprinklers. He was a little apprehensive about the sprinklers in the play yard. He eventually caught up to us not wanting to be left standing out at the end of his leash all alone.

Mico heard Jean & the girls leaving for their walk and didn’t want to go home. He stood under the neighbor’s tree and was reluctant to walk toward the house. He really has an issue with Jean.

Brand was a little trooper about the steps. I know one boy who is going to sleep well tonight.

Brand’s First Outing

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Brand, Black Marble’s Fire Brand, is 15 weeks old with no prior formal training. He arrived in Minnesota from Alaska on July 3. It has been a hot few days so we have done a little training indoors. He has learned to sit on request, a little leave it, stand, wait (just a few seconds), and is starting to recognize his name. 

Brand comes from a kennel on the Matanuska River away from children, strollers, bikes, skateboards, vehicles, joggers, etc. So this is a big new world. He seems very sound aware. Not sensitive but he has made me aware of just how many sounds are in my world that I ignore like a squeaking floor board or my office chair. He is especially aware of dogs barking even faintly in the distance. 

Brand gets along with everyone in the family. He loves to eat, drink, and play. He gleefully accepts food. You might ask what puppy doesn’t; but, I have trained dogs that didn’t readily accept a treat. So far he’s unimpressed with Pupford freeze dried sweet potato but everything else including his kibble is just fine. Oh – and Jade can have all the Cheerios.

Today after a much needed rain, we went outdoors for the first time. He looked around on the porch and investigated the potted plants and tree debris. It took a little encouragement to get him to go down the steps on his own but he did it quickly. We walked from Ivy to Holly along the West side of 9th street. He was curious about passing trucks and cars of course and sniffed the dirt, grass, sidewalk debris, and trees. But, he would quickly come when called and gave me a lot of attention without asking. He likes to jump up and stretch like his brother Mico. Very smart little stinker.  We did quite a big of “screensaver training” (Zaak George) and when we got home he zipped right up the steps without hesitation.

He’s still hesitant at doors but with a little encouragement he quickly decided to go in and out and in and out.  Yep, I was out of treats and he wanted to be sure he was doing the right thing.  Note: trainer needs to take along more treats.

He hasn’t had any accidents on the carpet or in the house yet. We are training him to both an indoor potty area and outside. It’s just too hot and cold here for me to navigate outdoors only. Though, I’m sure he could; it’s just easier on us to have an indoor area.

It’s been 2 years since I’ve trained a puppy. And, many, many more since I’ve done it around my other dogs. It’s much more challenging to train a puppy when you have other dogs with needs and interest in attention. Was much easier when I was younger too. I’ve had to learn new techniques and speeds to adapt to my current ability.

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