Meet Rose! She is a one year old Bernedoodle who has joined us for our Two Week Board and Train Program. Rose is here for basic obedience, potty training, and barking at doors. Rose also has a tendency of making a mess in her yard as she destroys plants and other things. The goal for Rose is to have better manners, so over the next fourteen days she will be working on her behavior and be set up for success with the hopes of becoming a well mannered pup. Check in to see her progress!
During my afternoon session with Rose, I focused on building our bond through a structured walk in the park. Rose displayed commendable behavior, showing minimal leash pulling and demonstrating comfort around both people and other dogs. This initial outing served not only to establish trust, but also to initiate training exercises aimed at enhancing her obedience skills. I introduced Rose to come to sit, which entails her moving towards my right side, wrapping around behind me, and ultimately sitting on my left. To facilitate this learning process, I employed a systematic approach. Initially, I stood in front of her, using leash tension to guide her towards my right. After several repetitions, Rose began to exhibit consistency in her movements, prompting me to take a step forward while continuing to guide her with leash tension. This method encouraged her to wrap around behind me while I instructed her to sit on my left. Despite her progress, Rose encountered challenges in transitioning into a sit position. To assist her, I applied upward leash tension while simultaneously providing a gentle push on her back, which encouraged her to comply with the command. It was evident that while Rose still requires further practice to solidify this behavior, she is making encouraging strides as we continue our training sessions. On our ride home, Rose exhibited good behavior in the vehicle, indicating her adaptability as she adjusts to her new surroundings. Once home, she did not eat her dinner which is an expected response for dogs entering a new environment, but I have left her food available, allowing her the option to eat when she feels comfortable.
Rose and I worked on place. Place is an essential command that serves to establish boundaries and promote desired behaviors in various situations. This command instructs Rose to go to a designated spot such as a bed, mat, or a specific area of your choosing, and remain there until given further instructions. Teaching Rose place not only enhances obedience, but also contributes to a more organized and calm environment, making it useful in managing guests, meal times, or moments when she needs to be settled. To teach place effectively, it is important to focus on the principles of leash pressure and positive reinforcement. Initially, I used the leash to guide Rose to the designated spot we practiced on which was a bench. As I approached the bench with her, I applied gentle tension on the leash to encourage her to move forward. When Rose stepped onto it, I immediately released the tension on the leash, signaling that she has made the correct choice. Timing here is crucial, so the moment Rose made contact with the bench, she was immediately rewarded with praise and affection. Using a cheerful tone of voice, petting, and verbal affirmations like "good girl," helps reinforce this positive behavior. Once Rose began to understand the association between the leash pressure and the verbal place, I gradually increased the duration she remained there. Consistency is key in this training process, so with regular practice sessions, combined with patience and positive reinforcement, it will help Rose understand the command fully. Over time, I will introduce distractions gradually while she maintains the place command, ensuring that she learns to remain in position regardless of environmental changes. On another note, Rose did well in her kennel sleeping through the night, but she is quite fearful as she gives me a low growl when I approach her kennel to let her out. She is still adjusting to her new environment and did not want to eat breakfast, but she did eat all of her dinner inside of her kennel. Also attached in today’s pupdate will be an e-collar video explaining its many functions so that you may familiarize yourself with, as well as images of the e-collar she will be coming home with, with its own serial number.
Rose and I have been working on heel, which involves Rose walking alongside me on my left side, a position that not only promotes good manners, but also ensures safety and control during walks. Rose has demonstrated an understanding of the heel command, however, there are instances where she tends to move ahead of me. To address this behavior effectively, I employ a corrective technique that involves making a U-turn and walking in the opposite direction. This method serves a dual purpose as it redirects her focus back to me and reinforces the concept of maintaining proper position through the application of leash tension. Recognizing the importance of consistency in training, I will be integrating this exercise into every walk we undertake. By doing so, I aim to solidify Rose's understanding of the heel command and ensure that she remains engaged and responsive to my cues. My ongoing efforts are not only focused on improving her obedience, but also on nurturing a positive and trusting relationship, which is essential for effective communication and teamwork between a handler and their dog. Through this dedicated approach, I am confident that Rose will continue to progress in her training, ultimately leading to more enjoyable and harmonious walking experiences.
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