Barkley | Australian Labradoodle | Playa Vista, CA | In-Training
- Amanda Lascari
- Oct 27, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 9, 2024
Barkley, a four year old Australian Labradoodle, has joined OffLeash SoCal for our Two Week Board and Train program. He comes to us knowing commands. He gets overstimulated when out in public and it’s hard for him to calm down and relax. He jumps to greet people, excessively barks when wanting food or attention, and counter surfs. Over the two weeks Barkley will be working towards his off leash obedience and manners. Check in to see his progress!
Pupdate 10/27/2024
Barkley is getting settled in here at my home. I introduced him to my pack. He was a little timid when meeting everyone. He’s a little anxious in his new surroundings, so he’s not interested in playing with anyone just yet. I know once he gets adjusted Barkley will open up and show his playful side. I am going to let him settle in today. Tomorrow we will begin training. Above is a picture of Barkley’s Ecollar that we will be using. Also is a tutorial video of the Ecollar. I didn’t get to send you home with one, but please watch this video as many times as you need to become familiar with the training collar.
Pupdate 10/28/2024
Today Barkley and I went to the park to work on his commands. I introduced and conditioned him to the Ecollar. We met with other OffLeash SoCal trainers and their dogs, so Barkley could work around dog distractions. He actually did very well. He wasn’t reactive towards the other dogs. Barkley stayed calm and focused on his commands. He listens pretty well to his commands, just needs to fine tune a few things. Barkley did a great job on his first day of training!
Pupdate 10/29/2024
Today Barkley and I went to the park to work on his commands. We worked a lot on his heel command. Barkley isn’t a hard puller, but does try to walk ahead. We want to have his ears right next to our leg that way we are constantly in his peripheral vision.
The importance of a structured heel is:
provides control for the handler and mental exercise for the dog.
It provides leadership, drains energy and creates relaxation.
Impulse control-Walking at your side for long durations of time, on a loose leash, avoiding the temptation to sniff and pee on everything requires a lot of mental discipline from a dog.
Maintaining Heel position keeps the dog in a more relaxed, less reactive, working state of mind.
Prevents pulling, leash reactivity and so forth.
Barkley and I also worked on a new command, Under. This is where Barkley goes under an object and lays down. He did very well and caught on quickly to his new command.
Pupdate 10/30/2024
Today Barkley joined me on a little shopping spree at the outlets. It was pretty busy, so Barkley had plenty of people distractions to work around. He was a little anxious with the new surroundings. If I tried to distance myself from him, Barkley would try to break command to move closer to me. After some time walking around and practicing his obedience commands he was able to settle and relax. Barkley had a few admirers that stopped to watch him train. He received a few compliments on how calm and well mannered he is.
Pupdate 10/31/2024
Today Barkley and I trained at home. We practiced all his commands and worked on his duration. We worked a lot on his place command, to work on his separation anxiety. Barkley is really clingy and constantly wants to be right at my side. If I am out of his view, he begins to whimper and whine. This is a command that will teach Barkley to settle down in any situation. It gives him a job to do instead of the job he chooses for himself. He can learn that he doesn’t always need to be right behind you, on your lap, or being petted to be okay.
11/1/2024
Today Barkley and his buddy, Zelda, went to the mall to work on their commands. Barkley was a good boy and followed all of his commands. He did well with all the people distractions. We had a little audience that watched both Barkley and Zelda train together. We worked on duration down command while I sat at a table to drink my Starbucks. Barkley stayed calm and relaxed in his command while he people watched.
11/2/2024
Today Barkley and I went to the park to work on his obedience. We practiced all his commands and worked on his distance and duration. He did a great job! We were able to practice semi-off leash, letting Barkley drag the leash while we trained. At home we practiced more of his place command, having Barkley relax and settle down.
Pupdate 11/3/2024
Today Barkley was my helper and assisted me with one of my lessons. He was a dog distraction for my clients dog that was reactive when seeing other dogs. Barkley was a big help. He was calm and followed all of his commands. At home we worked on all of his commands. We also worked on his door manners.
The benefits of door manners is:
-Impulse control at thresholds- Typically the door causes excitement for a dog because they know they are going out (outside, for a ride, for a walk, etc.) Waiting at a doorway puts your dog in a calmer state of mind and you are able to have more control of the dog when you take him out.
-Safety- Teaching your dog to wait at thresholds will prevent bolting.
Pupdate 11/4/2024
Today Barkley and his buddy, Zelda, went to the park to work on their off leash obedience together. We met with other OffLeash SoCal trainers and their dogs, so they had plenty of people and dog distractions to work around. The two did a great job working side by side. They were focused and followed all of their commands.
Pupdate 11/5/2024
Today Barkley and I trained at home. We practiced all his commands and worked on his duration. We also worked on his food and door manners. He did try to be sneaky and steal some food off the counter, but I gave him the “off” command with a tap on the Ecollar. Barkley put his two front paws back on the floor and didn’t try to counter surf again. We are still working on his separation anxiety. He is getting a little better at settling down when on place or I have him in his crate. He will whimper for a few minutes, but eventually stops and just relaxes.
Pupdate 11/6/2024
Today Barkley and I went to the shopping outlets to work on his off leash obedience. He did a great job! Barkley was focused and obedient. He had many admirers that complimented him on his good behavior. Someone approached to greet him. Barkley tried his very best to sit still while being pet, but got too excited and couldn’t resist getting up to say hello.
Pupdate 11/7/2024
Today Barkley and I went to Lowe’s to work on his obedience. He was a little nervous with all the noises, but still able to follow all of his commands. We worked on his distance and duration. He did a great job heeling past people through the aisles. One of the employees asked to pet Barkley. He was a good boy and sat nicely while getting pets and attention.
Pupdate 11/8/2024
Today Barkley joined me on a shopping spree at the mall. He practiced all his commands and worked on his distance and duration around people distractions. He did a great job with his training! Barkley was focused and obedient. We had a child that approached us and asked to pet Barkley. Barkley was a very good boy and sat patiently while he received pets and attention.
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