Meet Jessie! She is a nine month old Husky Mix who has joined us for our Two Week Board and Train Program. She is here for basic obedience, leash pulling, digging in grass, and jumping to greet. Jessie likes to run to the door if she thinks a dog is walking by, and will continuously bark after a dog has passed by. She likes to run out the door when it is open, and can unlock a screen door to let herself out. Over the next fourteen days, this lovely lady will be working on her manners and be set up for success, with the hopes of becoming a well behaved pup. Check in to see her progress!
Jessie and I went out to a local park and got to know each other this afternoon. During our walk, Jessie would pull on her leash, and tried to make an approach at any dog in the area. To keep her from doing so, I redirected her in another direction and kept her engaged with me. I also introduced Jessie to Heel, and with the use of her prong and leash tension, Jessie is beginning to understand the concept.
Jessie was introduced to Place today, which consists of having her getting onto an elevated object and remaining there in a Sit or a Down. Place is a great technique that can be used whenever guests are over and it can also build confidence in a dog. To teach Jessie, I used leash tension and some treats as guidance to have her hop onto an object. Jessie did really well and is very food motivated. She still needs a little practice, but she is building her confidence the more we work on it.
Jessie and I worked on some loose leash walking today at an outdoor shopping center. She has been doing better with our morning walks and the leash pulling is fading away. I have removed her prong collar and she is doing well without it. We also met with different trainers and their dogs, whom assisted Jessie by using their dogs as a distraction. Jessie is learning how to be around other dogs by understanding that she can be around other dogs as long as she remains in a calm, relaxed state.
Jessie and I worked on Down today. Down can be a difficult technique to teach considering it being a submissive position to a dog. To teach Jessie, I asked her to Sit, and then used leash tension and her kibble to lure her towards the ground. She sat up during our first attempts so I placed my hand over her back and kept her from getting up by applying slight pressure whenever she made an intent. It took time and patience, with breaks in between to avoid frustration, but Jessie was able to accomplish her Down.
Jessie and I worked on her Down in a public setting today and she was having trouble maintaining it due to the different distractions all around her. I am able to work her through it once I exercise her enough to where she is more relaxed and in a much calmer state. She was also having difficulty with her recall, but with a few resets and by remaining consistent, Jessie is following through.
Jessie and I worked on her stationary positions with more dog and people distractions today. I am taking her on longer walks and jogs to release her pent up energy in the morning and in the evening. These morning and evening sessions are helping her as she is showing improvement in her training. She is holding her Down longer, and I was able to increase my distance toward the end of her long line without Jessie coming out of it.
Jessie and I went out for a walk around my neighborhood and began working on Heel with her leash dragging. We had a few warm up sessions in my backyard which went very well before taking her out. Jessie was great throughout our session and ignored dogs in the distance barking from their front yard. In the coming days, Jessie and I will continue with her leash dragging around more distractions in public areas.
Jessie and I took a drive out to Petsmart to restock on some supplies. I worked on her Heel by using the aisles as barriers to keep her a little closer to me. While we were in line, we also practiced on her recall. When the line would move, I asked Jessie to Sit as I moved forward, then ask for a Come to Sit so she can come towards me. She was having trouble with it initially due to the distraction of other people being in line, but Jessie was able to follow through.
Jessie and I took a trip to a local Home Depot today and worked on a few more leash dragging exercises around people, shopping carts, and forklifts. Jessie did very well with the distractions around her and is just about ready to begin working off leash. I am focusing on piecing everything that she has learned together, in order to have her fully prepared for her Final. There were a few instances while working on her Down, that Jessie would get up as soon as I would start to walk away, but by having her reset, I was able to work Jessie through it.
Jessie and I have been working on her Greeting Manners in which she has shown a big improvement in. She has learned that she is to remain in a Sit whenever she is approached by someone that wants to say hello. It was difficult for her to do so in the beginning of her training, since she would come out of her Sit whenever I stepped away. With repetition and consistency, Jessie has managed to successfully be greeted without coming out of her Sit.
Jessie and I have been working on Door Manners since the day I brought her home. Anytime I opened a door, Jessie would always want to be the first one to go through. To help her into not doing so, I would ask her to Down when we approached a door. Once in a Down position, I proceeded to open the door, and made sure Jessie remained in her position. When I opened the door, every time she sat up meant the door would close, and the process would repeat itself. Once Jessie understood what I was asking, I began to increase time and distance to keep her in a Down longer, which led to Jessie achieving her two minute goal.
Jessie and I drove out to our local outlets and put together a little run through of what she has been learning. We took a few laps throughout the shopping center to have her in a calm state and adjust to her surroundings. Jessie did really well for it being her first time off leash around different distractions. Her Down position needed a little work with duration, but I am working on it to have it cleaned up. Jessie is almost ready for her Final, and it will be the main focus from here on out.
Jessie and I worked on her Final video today and she put on a very good performance. She has completed her Two Week Board and Train Program and is ready to come home. I am looking forward to showing you what she has learned as well, and to have her reunite with Callie. Thank you once again for the opportunity. I made another great friend who will also be missed. Thank you Jessie!
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