Cypress | German Shepherd Mix | Paramount, CA | In - Training
- priscillaoffleashs
- Feb 12, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 4, 2024
Meet Cypress! A sweet German Shepherd Mix from Paramount, CA has joined us for our One Week Board and Train Program. Cypress is with us to work on building his confidence as he is a very nervous boy, especially when in new environments. Over this next week we will be working on improving his Greeting Manners, Leash Manners, and socialization to prevent barking. Stay tuned for his One Week Transformation!
Pupdate 2/12/2023
Cypress and I spent the day getting familiar with each other, playing in the backyard and building a bond. Since he is a nervous boy, I want to build his trust today and get him settled in with his crate training. It took him some time to enter the crate at first with leash pressure guidance from me. As we keep practicing, he will go in on cue more fluently. We will introduce him to some new commands tomorrow!
Pupdate 2/12/2023
Today Cypress had the opportunity to work with another trainer and I while being introduced to a new environment, and to communication tools such as a prong collar and e collar. The prong collar is used to guide Cypress with directional changes of the leash. I apply leash pressure in the direction I want him to go and the second he follows the path created for him, I turn that pressure off. Any time I apply leash pressure, I apply stimulation from the e collar as well. He began to catch on to this process rather quickly, resisting every now and then but is learning to follow my lead.
The other trainer introduced him to Come to Sit which is the action of Cypress coming around behind me to Sit on my left hand side ready to Heel. He was a natural at this and learned quickly that all of the good stuff came to him when he Sat on her left side. This is how we begin to build value with Cypress in a specific position. We cued Cypress name and tried to reward him but he was too stressed to eat. This is called the name game and is a great game to practice around distractions to build engagement during training. The biggest distractions to him is other dogs, so that is what we will primarily work near moving forward.
Pupdate 2/14/2023
Cypress and I ventured out to the shopping outlets today and worked on his desensitization to other dogs, specifically dogs that he is familiar with. I noticed today as we Heeled together around the outlets, that when he was whining, he was fixated on Gremlin, the other pup we were walking with. We began to work on desensitizing him to walking around Gremlin, and Gremlin walking around him. At first it was quite difficult for him to hold his Sit, as he was extremely anxious, releasing himself frequently. After repetitively practicing this, he held his Sit for up to 30 seconds before I release him with the cue Break.
We then worked on his Come to Sit, which he did well with. We will keep exposing him to new environments and work on his separation anxiety. Teaching Cypress how to relax is essential to help him work through his anxiety.
Pupdate 2/15/2023
Cypress and I took a trip to the beach today! This was a lot for him to soak in at first. He needs a few laps of exposure to his new environment to appear more relaxed and ready to work. We Heeled around the beach and practiced his Extended Sit, Place and Come to Sit. Place is great for Cypress to practice on a daily basis to help build his confidence. It creates a calm state of mind for him and helps him settle down on a designated surface. Place can be practiced both inside and outside of the house to prevent unwanted behaviors like jumping on guests or begging for food. Place can be used to redirect Cypress and get him to settle down on cue. Now that he is confident with jumping onto new elevated surfaces, we will introduce him to Down and build duration as well as distance between us.
Pupdate 2/16/2023
Cypress and I started our day with working on his Food Manners. He is expected to hold his Sit or Down while being fed. After the food bowl is placed on the floor, that is not his cue to get up. His cue to eat is when I release him with the Cue Break. Although tempted, Cypress was able to hold his sit while I eventually went out of sight.
We then went on a trip to the outlets today shortly after where we proofed his commands some more. It was very windy which was great exposure for Cypress to work through the changes of the weather. Initially he was unsure of it but after about 5 minutes of Heeling, he was fluently performing everything he has learned! Now we will begin to film for his final video tomorrow!
Pupdate 2/17/2023
Cypress and I took a trip to The Del Amo Fashion Center where we filmed for his Final Video. This was a very busy environment with a ton of distractions. Cypress was very weary of the tile floor, inside the mall. It took him some time before his posture was more confident and he was able to Heel by my side. We began outside of the mall where he was more capable of being fluent with his commands. Outside there was a children’s train driving around and Cypress was very unsure of it. I rewarded him when it came near to counter condition his fear, and he began to appear more comfortable with it. Holding his Sit eventually as it passed. After about an hour and a half of training, cypress stopped panting and whining as much. We then went inside the shopping mall where it was a lot more for him to work through. Cypress was very stressed, but worked through it and was able to hold his Place eventually and Sit as long as I was next to him.
Pupdate 2/18/2023
Cypress and I spent the day working on all of his commands as we Heeled together around the neighborhood. Cypress is a pup with a lot of energy, so we make frequent turns to keep him engaged as we Heel at different paces of speed together. When I turn, I Cue Heel and pop the leash in the direction I want him to go. If Cypress checks in with me all on his own, I mark it with a Yes and reward him to help condition him to pay attention to his handler for guidance.
Whenever something spooks Cypress, we work on some classical conditioning to add a positive interrupter in any questionable scenario he finds himself in. We want him to see the stimuli then check in with his handler. As soon as he checks in we utilize the marker word Yes then offer the reward which can be anything he loves! Constant exposure to new environments, and practicing his Extended Place, Sit, Down, Come to Sit, and Heel will help him build his confidence every day. Since he can be quite codependent on other pups, I recommend crating Cypress in short intervals throughout the day even when at home, to help him have a healthier relationship with everyone and prepare for any time apart whenever needed.
Cypress is a loving boy who needs plenty of guidance, structure and leadership to thrive and follow instructions. Thank you for trusting me with Cypress, we can’t wait to show you what he has learned!
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