Meet John Pierre! He is a six year old French Bulldog who has joined us for our One Week Board and Train Program. He is here for basic obedience, leash pulling, and kennel training. He is shy when meeting new people and does well with dogs. Over the next seven days, this gentle boy will work on his behavior and be set up for success, with the hopes of becoming a well behaved dog. Check in to see his progress!
JP and I spent the afternoon at the park to begin establishing a bond by taking a walk. He was pulling on his leash and was introduced to Heel. This technique consists of having JP walk with me on my left side. Anytime he pulled away, I turned around and walked in the opposite direction. He did stop a few times and went into a Sit, but I gave him a little leash tension to guide him back towards me. It is a work in progress, but Heel will now be implied on every walk we go on.
JP and I drove to a local park today and continued to work on his Heel. He is showing improvement and is pulling less since going on walks throughout the day. He was also introduced to his recall which is known as Come to Sit. It consists of having JP coming towards my right, going around behind me, and sitting on my left. Initially, he would stop as he came towards my right, so I used leash tension as guidance to have him go around me and bring him to my left. JP is understanding the concept, and is beginning to follow through.
JP was introduced to Place today. It is a technique that consists of having him get onto an elevated object and remaining there in a Sit or a Down. To teach JP, I walked him towards the object I want him to Place on, and gave him leash tension as guidance to help him up. During the first few attempts, anytime JP made an effort, such as would placing his front paws on the object, I would release him with a “Break” and reward his behavior with praise. After a few repetitions during our session he began to build his confidence more, and can now hop onto the objects with little to no leash tension.
JP and I drove out to an outdoor shopping center to work him around different distractions such as people and other dogs. It took him some time to adjust to his surroundings as he was very nervous, but eventually reached a calm relaxed state. I have been working on his distance and duration with his stationary positions, and I focused on his Sit today. We have been practicing in increments of five seconds for every foot that I take back, and JP is coming very close to reaching his two minute goal.
JP 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 JP, I asked him to Sit, and then used leash tension and his kibble to lure him towards the ground. He sat up during our first attempts so I placed my hand over his back and kept him from getting up by applying slight pressure whenever he made an intent. It took time and patience, with breaks in between to avoid frustration, but JP was able to accomplish his Down.
JP and I worked on his Food Manners today. Whenever I would put his food bowl down, he would make an approach towards it. Throughout his training, JP has learned that it is not ok to make an approach unless it is ok to do so. I placed a variety of food to help him understand and he is following through. JP can be stubborn and that is a behavior in French Bulldogs in general. But as long as patience and consistency are there, he will understand the concept of listening.
JP has completed his One Week Board and Train Program and is ready to come home. He has learned a lot in the short amount of time he spent with me, and I am looking forward to showing you what he has learned. I want to thank you for the opportunity in being his trainer, and for also trusting me with him while he was under my care. He is such a gentle boy and he will be missed. He did very well in his Final video, and here is a sneak peek of JP working on his Door Manners. Thank you JP!
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