Meet Kodi! An energetic and loving Australian Shepherd from Santa Monica, CA has joined Off Leash So Cal for our Two-Week Board and Train Program to work on being a well mannered pup. Kodi has a tendency to bark excessively at other dogs, or people while on walks. When the other pup he lives with at home is eating, he will steal their food, not dropping whatever he is going after. Kodi knows a few commands however only listens when convenient. He does not come when called, especially when interacting with other dogs in an aggressive manner.
Over these next two weeks Kodi and I will emphasize our work on exposure to new environments, as we build consistency with his commands. We will build his confidence through proper socialization and structure to help him understand clear communication. Stay tuned for his Two Week Transformation!
Kodi and I had the opportunity to become more familiar with each other as we began to establish a bond. We explored our surroundings together, as we strolled around the park, testing what he already knew. Kodi responded to Sit, Down, and even Place! However, he struggled to hold position for longer than about 3 seconds. I called his name, which he responded to rarely, appearing more interested in his environment. We then went to his new temporary home, where we got him all settled in and hung out together some more. He did well with going into the crate, and following the guidance of the leash. We will begin to work on obedience commands tomorrow!Ā
Kodi and I started our day by introducing him to a few communication tools such as the slip lead and e collar. The slip lead is used to guide Kodi 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. Once I marked and rewarded the few steps he took in the direction I wanted him to go, he began to understand how to turn the pressure off. He is learning to follow my lead quickly.Ā
I introduced him to Come to Sit which is the action of Kodi 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 my left side. This is how I begin to build value with Kodi in a specific position. I Cued Kodiās name frequently, rewarding him when he offered me his 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
Kodi and I focused our work today on creating consistency with his Heel command. Heel is the action of Kodi staying by my left hand side during our walk. He is expected to turn when I turn, and sit when I stop walking, matching my pace. He should not have his head to the ground, sniffing around for things to pick up. If he does this, I cue Off then call his name to capture his attention. During Kodiās Heel, he should be checking in with his handler, on cue and voluntarily. To build engagement, I mark and reward when Kodi offers me his attention all on his own. By capturing and reinforcing this command, Kodi will begin to understand good things come his way when he is attentive, as we are building value in our relationship.Ā
I lead with my left leg as Kodi follows the direction we are headed. I cue Heel before we move forward from a stationary position, as well as any time I change direction to give Kodi a heads up. Once I release him with the cue Break, he is free to explore, as long as he is not pulling excessively. Kodi is gravitating towards my left hand side more frequently which leads me to believe he is understanding what is expected of him, as he no longer pulls ahead or criss crosses from side to side.Ā
Kodi and I took a trip to the park today! We explored our surroundings as we Heeled together making frequent turns, having him Sit whenever I stop walking. We emphasized our work on his Extended Sit, and Come to Sit. After many repetitions he demonstrated consistency with holding his Sit for up to a minute and a half long, which is almost at our goal!Ā
After working on what he has already learned, I then introduced him 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 Kodi to Place on while adapting to an unfamiliar environment helps bridge the transition much more quickly.Ā
When practicing Place with Kodi, I chain the commands Place and Down together to help him voluntarily offer the behavior without much guidance needed from me. Kodi enjoyed this and fluently performed this behavior repetitively. We then built duration with this as he held it for a minute long. Now we will begin to build distance between us for his commands as we improve his commands near daily distractions.Ā
Kodi and I continue to venture out to new parks as we begin to proof his Heel, Come to Sit, Extended Sit, Down, and Place on top of new surfaces. Kodi is a confident pup which is great! He does not hesitate to jump onto new surfaces, and is learning to hold His Down, and Sit for a goal of up to two minutes long. At the moment he is halfway there, holding it for up to one minute long! I reward Kodi in increments of 20 seconds to help him hold position for longer periods of time. Since he is a very energetic pup, meeting his exercise needs is an essential part of helping him be well mannered as well.
As we build consistency, he will have a longer gap between being rewarded. Kodi is controlling impulses much more, not bulldozing his way out of the kennel or doorway anymore. Now that we have fluency with his commands, we will begin to drag the leash as we work on his obedience over the weekend!Ā
Kodi and I explored the mall together today as we worked on his Heel, Extended Sit, Down and Place on top of different surfaces. Kodi is very attentive while training, always ready for the next task at hand. At times he can be overly excited which results in him jumping. When Kodi jumps without invitation , I cue Off Ā as I pop the leash upwards, cuing him to perform an alternate behavior such as Sit or Down.Ā
After Heeling around the mall as a pack with the other trainers and their pups, Kodi practiced his Down command while we all ate lunch. At first Kodi wanted to release himself preemptively a few times. If he does this, I remind him to hold his Down as I stimulate him with the e collar simultaneously. Kodi then held his Down until released with the cue Break.Ā
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Kodi and I had the opportunity to train while out at a very busy mall. There were plenty of distractions to proof our commands near, such as crowds of people, kids running near us, other dogs, and new smells from different parts of the mall. Kodi is very energetic, so we usually begin our training sessions with a nice walk as we explore our surroundings. Kodi understands the structure of our walk. If he is on break he may explore and be a dog, as long as he is not pulling excessively.Ā Once I cue Heel he is expected to Come directly next to my left hand side until released. Kodi enjoys engaging in training, especially the command Place! As he jumps on top of new surfaces quite willingly and from a distance as well.Ā
Kodi and I ventured out to the park where we had the opportunity to train near new distractions like wildlife! Kodi has strong prey drive so it was a big test for him today to stay by my side despite those triggers of his. Once we initially arrived, Kodi needed a lot of communication to set him up for success. I cued Heel as we changed direction, and pace during our walk. I also cued his name and rewarded him if he looked at me voluntarily after noticing the ducks. Kodi did great with remaining attentive, Coming when called the first time he was cued to do so.Ā
We added distance between us as we dragged the leash for all of his commands. He didnāt need much guidance from me, as he responded very well to Ā visual cues paired with verbal. If Kodi needs help to clean up his Come to Sit, I simply cue him to try it again immediately creating space between us. Great job Kodi!
Kodi and I had the opportunity to train at the park as we worked alongside other trainers and their pups, dragging the leash the entire time as we practiced everything he has learned. Kodi is consistent with his commands, staying by my left hand side even while other dogs were barking at him as we passed by! Kodi did not react and remained engaged with me the entire time.Ā
Any time a dog is within close vicinity, I effectively communicate with Kodi by reminding him to Heel, as I apply slight leash pressure towards the direction I want him to go. At times he will try to veer off the side of me. When he is in the Heel it is important to hold him accountable at all times, until released. During the Heel he should not be sniffing the floor, pulling ahead or outwards. He should match his handlers pace, and check in frequently when he hears his name.Ā I cue Heel before we move forward from a stationary position, and anytime there is a change of direction or pace. I pop the leash in a backwards motion if he pulls ahead, as I cue Heel with a few taps of stimulation. Stimulation from the e collar is always paired with leash pressure, as I give verbal cues simultaneously. By holding Kodi accountable for every unwanted action, and giving him an alternate behavior to perform such as Heel or Place, we diffuse the situation and prevent unwanted behaviors from reoccurring.Ā It is important to realize that reactivity can stem from a place of insecurity in a dog. We must not react before Kodi even has a chance to react. Being proactive instead of reactive (meaning giving Kodi a job to do before he even notices a dog is nearby) is essential in preventing Kodi from being reactive.Ā Ā If a dog is not given proper structure or guidance in a scenario they feel unsafe in, they will take matters in their own hands in hopes of scaring away whatever it is they are unsure of. Often times the leash creates added tension to an already nervous pup, which causes them to feel trapped, with nowhere to escape. We can use the leash and e e collar as a communication tool to guide Kodi, instead of pulling him into a state of uncertainty. By remaining consistent and applying clear communication, Kodi will be set up for success in these scenarios, as he will feel more confident with following clear instructions from his leader.Ā
Kodi 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, Kodi was able to hold his sit while I eventually went out of sight.Ā
We then went on a trip to the park today shortly after where we proofed his commands some more. This was great exposure for Kodi to work near other dogs again as there were dogs of all sizes at the park, some even reactive. By giving Kodi an alternate behavior to perform such as Heel, he was able to work through this and stay by my side the entire time, both On & Off Leash!Ā
Kodi and I spent the day preparing him for his final video. We worked on all of his commands that he has learned so far, while out at the park with other pups! Kodi has improved significantly with his training near other dogs, appearing more focused on the next task at hand, instead of becoming distracted. He follows my lead, always staying in my bubble, even if he is on break. After a few repetitions with the leash on, we removed the leash, practicing our Come to Sit, from greater distances. If he sits too far away from me, or ahead of me I repeat the command until he performs it correctly. I only mark the correct ones with a Yes, as I show him some love. Kodi is understanding that he is expected to Sit closer to my side.
He enjoys Place and runs to it on cue, even from a distance! He can be quite a playful pup, rolling over whenever he becomes too excited. When he does this I create space between us, requesting him to Come until he works through it. This teaches him to work through the excitement.Ā
After some work at the park, we played with the flirt pole at home which tapped into his prey drive. A flirt pole is a stick that has a toy attached to the end of it. We move the stick around, which catches Kodiās attention as he tries to get to it. We practice his Off command with this game. He is expected to leave it alone as soon as I cue off. If he doesnāt, I reinforce the Off command by applying a few taps of stimulation until he performs what is requested of him.Ā By giving Kodi a healthy outlet to release his drive, we are helping his training overall! It ensures his needs are met, as we are not just compulsion training, we are building impulse control, then rewarding with more play!Ā
Kodi and I spent the day at the mall, proofing his commands both on & off leash. He remained very consistent with his commands, even as reactive dogs were near us, pulling towards him. Kodi is very attentive, as we have focused on conditioning him to check in with me as soon as he sees stimuli that may catch his attention.Ā
He holds his Extended Sit and Down for a minimum of two minutes, and Comes to Sit from a distance of 10 ft or more. He held his Sit while saying hi to friendly new people, and appears more confident each day. Check out a preview of his final video!Ā
Kodi and I had the opportunity to train in the shopping center where he received a lot of attention, per usual! He practiced his Greeting Manners, as I reminded him to Sit while receiving chin scratches. Kodi has improved significantly with his impulse control, even when excited. It is best to be proactive, meaning if Kodi seems overly excited, it is our duty to guide him through working the overstimulation by channeling his energy into training. Having Kodi hold his Sit or Down while in Place is another great way to practice greeting Ā manners. Place can help provide Ā a calmer state of mind for dogs, and is one of Kodiās favorite commands!Ā
Kodi has learned boundaries, not jumping on the door to open it anymore. He has learned that when he sits and waits patiently, the door will open. If he gets up, the door closes on him. The door is an important threshold to remain consistent with so Kodi wonāt have a habit of being the first one out.Ā
Kodi has overall become more confident, can hold his Place and Extended Sit for a minimum of two minutes, and can Come to Sit from about 15 ft away. I recommend constantly taking Kodi to new environments. Since he can be a nervous boy at times, desensitization to new places will only further improve his training. He is a loving boy who needs a lot of guidance, structure and leadership to thrive and follow instructions. He has come a long way and we can not wait to show you what he has learned. Thank you for trusting me with Kodi!Ā
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