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Chappa | English Bulldog | Long Beach, CA | In-Training

Writer's picture: Jose AyalaJose Ayala

Meet Chappa! He is a four year old English Bulldog who has joined us for our Two Week Board and Train Program. Chappa is here for basic obedience, jumping to greet, leash pulling, and potty training. He gets along with people and other dogs, and has a tendency of pulling on his leash when other pups are around tor interaction. Chappa also has trouble with doors, as he will run through them when left open. When meeting someone new, he will jump to greet which also causes concern as Chappa does not know his own strength and can easily knock someone down. Over the next fourteen days, he will be working on his behavior and be set up for success, with the hopes of becoming a well mannered pup. Check in to see his progress!

 

Chappa and I spent the afternoon getting to know each other by going for a walk at the park. Our walk served not only as a leisurely outing, but also as an important training session focused on establishing a bond and enhancing Chappa’s obedience skills. Throughout our time together, I noticed Chappa exhibiting behavior where he would frequently pull ahead of me. To address this, I introduced him to the heel command, which requires him to walk beside me on my left side. This command is crucial for ensuring that he remains focused and close during our walks, thereby fostering a safer and more enjoyable experience for both of us. To reinforce the concept of heel, I employed a technique where I would stop walking whenever Chappa pulled away from my side. This method involved making a U-turn and guiding him back towards my left with appropriate leash tension. This approach not only helps Chappa understand the desired position, but also teaches him the importance of maintaining proximity and attentiveness to my movements. While Chappa is still mastering this skill, I am committed to incorporating the heel command into every walk moving forward to solidify his understanding and compliance. Considering his breed, Chappa’s training sessions will be slightly shorter with plenty of water breaks in between. He did really well in his crate on the ride home, and he is adjusting to his new environment for the next two weeks. 

 

Chappa and I concentrated on his recall exercise known as come to sit. This exercise is designed to have Chappa approach my right side, navigate behind me, and then settle down on my left. To enhance his understanding of this sequence, I utilized leash tension as a guiding tool, and although Chappa is a little stubborn and likes to challenge me into not following through, I was able to effectively help him grasp the desired behavior. He demonstrated a good comprehension of the task and it took him a while to adapt to the instructions, but he is showing ability to follow through with the exercise. As Chappa gained consistency in executing the command, I introduced verbal cues, specifically “come,” and "sit," alongside gentle leash tension to further reinforce her behavior. The training session was notably successful, as he responded to leash pressure and the understanding of the cues being presented. In addition to the recall exercise, we have been working on improving his heel during our morning and evening walks, as well as throughout our training sessions during the day. This consistent practice is yielding positive results, and although he falls behind at times, he is beginning to pull less on his leash. Moreover, I am pleased to report that Chappa did very well during his first night here, sleeping soundly in his crate with no accidents.

 

Chappa 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 Chappa 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 Chappa 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 he 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 Chappa to the designated spot we practiced on which was a park bench. As I approached the bench with him, I applied gentle tension on the leash to encourage him to move forward. When Chappa stepped onto it, I immediately released the tension on the leash, signaling that he has made the correct choice. Timing here is crucial, so the moment Chappa made contact with the bench, he was immediately rewarded with praise and affection. Using a cheerful tone of voice, petting, and verbal affirmations like "good boy," helps reinforce this positive behavior. Once Chappa began to understand the association between the leash pressure and the verbal place, I gradually increased the duration he remained there. Consistency is key in this training process, so with regular practice sessions, combined with patience and positive reinforcement, it will help Chappa understand the command fully. Over time, I will introduce distractions gradually while he maintains the place command, ensuring that he learns to remain in position regardless of environmental changes.

 

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