Meet Jade! A sweet 8 month old Goldendoodle from Camarillo, CA has joined us for our Two-Week Board and Train Program. Jade has to come to us to work on a few behaviors such as pulling heavily on the leash, reactivity towards other dogs, biting on the leash, and anxiety especially whenever she is apart from her owner.
Over these next two weeks Jade and I will begin to build a solid foundation for her training, as we venture out to new places, introducing her to new commands. With clear communication, and plenty of structure we will work towards our Off Leash goal, to help Jade be the best pup she can possibly be! Stay tuned for her Two-Week Transformation!
Jade and I had the opportunity to become more familiar with each other as she explored her new surroundings. She met the other pups through the fence and responded well to them. Once she got settled in, she went into the crate without any resistance, however was quite vocal the first ten minutes before settling down. We will begin to introduce her to new commands tomorrow!
Jade and I started our day by introducing her to a few communication tools such as the slip lead and e collar. The slip lead is used to guide Jade with directional changes of the leash. I apply leash pressure in the direction I want her to go and the second she follows the path created for her, I turn that pressure off. Any time I apply leash pressure, I apply stimulation from the e collar as well. Jade at first resisted the leash pressure. Once I marked and rewarded the few steps she took in the direction I wanted her to go, she began to understand how to turn the pressure off. She did well with this, learning to follow my lead.Ā
I introduced her to Come to Sit which is the action of Jade coming around behind me to Sit on my left hand side ready to Heel. She was a natural at this and learned quickly that all of the good stuff came to her when she Sat on my left side. This is how I begin to build value with Jade in a specific position. I Cued Jadeās name frequently, rewarding her when she offered me her attention. This is called the name game and is a great game to practice around distractions to build engagement during training. A focused dog is a dog that is ready to work!Ā
Jade had the opportunity to train near plenty of new puppies as we worked on her Extended Sit, Heel, and Come to Sit.Ā At first Jade was quite excited, attempting to pull during her Heel towards the other pups. We are establishing boundaries during our walk, teaching Jade that she is not allowed to say hi to other pups on her terms. On leash greetings with other dogs is never recommended. Playtime is recommended off leash, in an enclosed environment with a dog that you know and trust. If Jade ever pulls towards a dog and successfully says hi, she is essentially being rewarded for pulling and as a result will always be overstimulated upon seeing new dogs. The goal is for Jade to not expect on leash greetings as I condition her to check in with me by calling her name when triggers are present.Ā
After brushing up the commands she has already learned I then introduced Jade to a new command, Down. I applied slight leash pressure downwards as I cued Down. Jade was a natural at this, not resisting much before she followed the pressure path created for her. We then added duration to this command as she held it for up to 30 seconds which isnāt a bad start! Good job Jade!
Jade and I took a trip to the park today! We explored our surroundings as we Heeled together making frequent turns, having her Sit whenever I stop walking. We emphasized our work on her Extended Sit, and Come to Sit. After many repetitions she demonstrated consistency with holding her Sit for up to a minute and a half long, which is almost at our goal!Ā
After working on what she has already learned, I then introduced her to a new command, Place. Place is great to use to help create a calm state of mind, builds confidence in a dog, prevents unwanted behaviors, and can essentially be practiced on top of any elevated surface. Dogs are naturally more confident while on elevated surfaces. I recommend purchasing an elevated dog cot to practice with both inside and outside the house. Having something familiar for Jade to Place on while adapting to an unfamiliar environment helps bridge the transition much more quickly.Ā
When practicing Place with Jade, I chain the commands Place and Down together to help her voluntarily offer the behavior without much guidance needed from me. Jade enjoyed this and fluently performed this behavior repetitively. We then built duration with this as she held it for a minute long. Now we will begin to build distance between us for her commands as we improve her commands near daily distractions.Ā
Jade and I spent the day working on adding distance between us for her commands as we worked around the other pups and trainers while out at the park. She did well with this, Heeling by my side and coming when called from distances of 6 ft or more. We practiced Place on new surfaces, as she held her Extended Place for up to two minutes. Now that she has met our duration goal, we will begin to drag the leash working towards our Off Leash goal!
Jade and I proofed her commands while out at the park today, as we hardly utilized any leash tension for her commands. Jade is now fluent with her Extended Sit, Down, Place and Heel. She checks in with me frequently, and practiced her Greeting Manners with friendly new people today. I remind her to Sit as she is being pet, and communicate to whoever pets her to only pet her if all four paws are on the floor. She no longer criss crosses sides while in the Heel, understanding that her placement remains on my left hand side unless she is released with the cue Break.Ā
Our walks are always structured. It is important for Jade to understand that even while she is on Break, she must stay in our bubble, not pulling excessively. If she ever pulls left, we turn right and do the opposite of what she is requesting. After many breaks, Jade understood what was expected of her, even while on break. She may sniff around and be a dog, but as soon as I cue her name she is expected to check in with me. If she needs help to give me her attention, I apply a few taps of light stimulation to help her follow through.Ā
Jade and I went on a trip to the mall as we worked on all of the commands she has learned so far. We Heeled around the mall as a pack, with a loose leash. I cue Heel before we move forward from a stationary position and any time we change direction or pace. She was engaged, checking in with me frequently. We practiced Place on different surfaces, which she has improved with, no longer hesitating to jump onto a new surface. We have emphasized a lot of our work on distance away from each other for her commands, as she often felt the need to be glued to my legs. She now holds her Extended Sit and Down while I am able to walk away 6 ft or more.Ā
Jade and I have focused our work primarily on weaning her off leash pressure. This means we are relying more on visual cues, verbal cues, and guidance from our footwork. For example if Jade sits too far behind me instead of on my side, I take a few steps forward to help motivate her to stay by me. If I want her to come towards me, I help guide her by stepping away from her. If there are plenty of distractions near by, I cue Jadeās name to help keep her more engaged with her handler, and less on her environment.Ā
Jade needs guidance every now and then to help follow through, but she is a very smart pup and picks up on everything quickly! I included a video from our trip to the mall yesterday as well.Ā
Jade and I ventured out to the park where we worked on proofing her commands with the leash dragging. In the beginning of our training session, I helped guide her a few times with the leash to brush up her commands and set her up for success. Once she demonstrated fluency, I dragged the leash as we worked on her Come to Sit from distances of 10 ft or more. Jade is learning to remain confident even while apart from me. Since she suffers from separation anxiety, I build distance away from her then come back to her and reward her for staying in place, as I mark her good work with a Yes.Ā
We have emphasized our work on Jadeās greeting manners as well. When she is greeted by someone new, I cue her to Sit. If she gets up I communicate to whoever is petting her to only pet her if all four paws are on the floor. If we continue to pet her when she is jumping, she is essentially being rewarded for that unwanted behavior. If she releases herself, I stimulate her with the e collar until she holds her Sit again. After a few tries Jade was consistently holding her Sit while being pet. Good job Jade! Ā
Jade and I ventured out to the park today as we proofed everything she has learned, while near the other trainers and their pups. As we warmed up, Jade stayed by my side, as we Heeled around the park. We worked on her Come to Sit with added distance. At times Jade can Sit behind me. When she does this, we repeatedly practice her Come to Sit until she Sits right by my side. We then worked on her Extended Sit, which she was able to hold even while the other dogs passed by her. She checks in with me frequently, both voluntarily and on cue. Now that we have fluency with all of her commands while dragging the leash , Jade has demonstrated she is ready for Off Leash work!
Today Jade and I went on a trip to the beach where we began to prepare her for her final video. We began by dragging the leash as we walked around the beach. This was our first beach trip, which allowed me to analyze how Jade performs in a busier than usual environment. There were bicyclists, skateboards, crowds of people and plenty of dogs nearby as we worked on everything she has learned over these past few weeks. Jade was a bit stressed initially, panting heavily, very aware of her environment. I cued her name, and rewarded her for checking in with me, which helped build her engagement during training. After Heeling around the pier for some time, Jade acclimated well to her environment, Coming when called consistently. Whenever Jade veers off track for her Heel, I stop walking, cuing her to Come to Sit by my side, as I tap my left hand side, Ā which allows her to correct herself back into position. As long as we are consistent with our expectations & holding her accountable for all of her actions, Jade will remain consistent with her performance for all of her commands!Ā
Jade and I had the opportunity to film content for her final video today as we Heeled around the pier, proofing her commands near plenty of distractions. She Heeled by my side consistently, sitting when I stop walking and turning when I turn. We trained near her biggest triggers such as wildlife, which she really wanted to chase! After I reminded her to Heel, giving her alternate behavior to perform, she checked in with me, performing her behaviors fluently, controlling her impulses.
Jade had the opportunity to meet some friendly new faces today as we worked on her Greeting Manners. Jade can become excitable especially upon greeting new people, which is why being proactive is key. We must not wait for Jade to jump to begin to work with her. Having her Sit and holding her accountable for that Sit, especially when in the presence of someone new is essential in helping shape Jadeās behavior. If we are consistent with our expectations for her, Jade will continue to understand which behaviors she is rewarded for and which behaviors she is held accountable for. Jade held her Sit while receiving all the attention. Great job Jade!Ā
Jade has learned boundaries, not jumping on the door to open it anymore. She has learned that when she sits and waits patiently, the door will open. If she gets up, the door closes on her. The door is an important threshold to remain consistent with so Jade wonāt have a habit of being the first one out.Ā
After Heeling together around the neighborhood and working on his Manners, we played together in the backyard with the other pups. Playtime is a great outlet for Jade to release his energy. Since she is a very energetic pup, this is highly recommended.
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