Meet Nahko! He's a one-and-a-half-year-old German Shepard Mix from Long Beach, California who is here with us for our Two Week Board and Train Program. Nahko is a friendly and energetic pup with general knowledge of a few basic commands, but he is very easily distracted by his surroundings and often struggles to maintain the focus needed to reliably listen to what is asked of him. He also likes to pull heavily on the leash and has some bad habits such as barking at the door or trying to jump on people when he's excited. Nahko also struggles with some reactivity towards other dogs and sometimes experiences anxiety when in new environments or situations. Over the next fourteen days, we will be working to improve his obedience, confidence, manners, and overall listening skills to set him on the right track to becoming a well-behaved pup both on and off leash! Stay tuned for his transformation!
Pupdate 10/8/2023
Today Nahko and I spent the day bonding and getting to know each other! After his pickup we spent some time at the park together, where I tested his knowledge of basic commands to understand what his starting point will be, as well as get an idea of what areas we may need to focus on in his training going forward. We also worked to begin developing a trusting relationship between us, which will be important for his training going forward. He seemed happy to spend time with me and eager to explore the park together, though I noticed he was very easily distracted by his surroundings, which seemed to impede his ability to listen or follow through with what was asked of him. He often struggled to focus on me or any commands for longer than a couple of moments before redirecting his attention to something else he decided was more interesting. He also displayed some reactive behavior towards other dogs at the park, and upon seeing them he would immediately tense up and try to lunge at or pull towards them, even if they were a good distance away from us. During the course of this program, this is something we will be paying some extra attention to in order to help reduce his reactive behaviors so he can learn to be calm and neutral within the presence of other dogs. Nahko was occasionally able to perform Sit when asked, though despite having some general understanding of the command, he often chose to completely ignore the verbal cues or hand signals used to prompt him as he was too distracted to pay attention. When he did perform Sit when asked, he was typically quick to lose focus and stand back up to wander away again after a couple of seconds, especially if something interesting caught his attention. He didn't seem to have any understanding of the Down command, and was unable to perform the command when asked. Nahko didn't seem to have any understanding of the Place command either, and seemed hesitant and under confident about jumping or climbing onto any objects around the park. He was sometimes willing to Come when called when provided with enough excitement and encouragement, though more often than not he chose to completely ignore his name and a verbal recall cue. He was also pulling on the leash constantly and regularly veering off in different directions as we walked, and didn't seem to have any understanding of the Heel command. Nahko also didn't seem to have much understanding of leash pressure either, and would often ignore or try to pull against the pressure whenever it was used in an attempt to get his attention or to guide him. After we had a chance to get to know each other at the park, it was time to head home and get him settled in! Nahko was hesitant about jumping into my car at first, though when given some extra encouragement and a bit of physical assistance he was able to climb in. He was definitely unsure of the kennel in the car as well, as kennels are something quite new and unfamiliar to him. He tried to protest a bit when being guided into the kennel, though he did eventually enter it on his own when lured in with a small treat. Upon arriving home, he was very nervous about walking up the flight of stairs, and needed extra help and reassurance to encourage him to walk up them. We gave him some time to become familiar and comfortable with his surroundings at home and spent some time together playing with toys and relaxing as he adjusted to the space. He seemed pretty tired after our time at the park, so it was a great time to introduce him to the kennel in his room to begin developing a positive association with it. He wasn't quite sure what to think of the kennel at first, though by rewarding him for entering it willingly and relaxing inside, he warmed up to it very quickly and eventually chose to settle in for a nap while inside. We will continue building his trust with the kennel gradually throughout the day so that he can comfortably spend the night inside and have stress-free car rides during his stay with me. So far he appears to be settling in nicely, is doing great with adapting to all these new changes, and appears to feel comfortable, safe, and happy with me!
Pupdate 10/9/2023
Today Nahko and I spent the day working in various areas around my neighborhood. He was introduced to the Heel command today, along with the concept of leash pressure and e-collar pressure. We worked in a quiet, distraction-free area along my neighborhood streets to provide Nahko the best opportunity to learn and focus as we began his training journey. Despite the calm environment, Nahko did seem quite nervous and unsure about his surroundings at first. I encouraged him to sniff around and explore for a while before we began training, which seemed to help him settle down and feel more relaxed and reassured. Throughout the training, if he began to seem tense again we took regular breaks to allow him to sniff around and decompress before continuing. During training, he was a bit unfocused at first, but once he began to understand that training could be fun and rewarding for him, he began to pay closer attention to me and became more willing to learn and practice.
Pressure is a fundamental tool used in teaching basic obedience commands. The idea is that whenever pressure is applied, be it from a leash or an e-collar, it is paired with a command. The pressure then remains as reinforcement until Nahko follows the pressure and the command being given. The moment he follows through, the pressure immediately turns off and a reward is given! Nahko seems to enjoy verbal praise and physical affection, so these are both great ways to reward him and encourage the behavior we want from him. Yesterday, whenever the leash was used to apply pressure he would firmly resist it, try to pull in the opposite direction, and make no attempt to turn the pressure off, so it was clear he didn't quite understand the concept of leash pressure just yet. He also seemed to completely ignore leash pressure with a normal collar, so we practiced with a prong collar today, which is a very helpful tool to both discourage pulling and help him develop a clear understanding of pressure. We spent a good amount of time focusing on teaching him what leash pressure means, and how to turn off the pressure once it's applied. He learned that trying to resist it was not successful or rewarding, and that simply following the directional pressure and paying attention to what I was asking of him was very simple and rewarding! After a while of practicing with this, he did much better and began showing a good understanding of leash pressure! In order to properly introduce the e-collar, it's very helpful for Nahko to first have a solid understanding of leash pressure, as leash pressure is the most simple form of pressure due to the clear directional guidance it provides. Once he understood the leash pressure, we began adding in a new form of pressure via e-collar stimulation. By pairing these two forms of pressure simultaneously, he will come to understand that each pressure has the same meaning. With time and practice, this will allow the leash and e-collar to be used interchangeably, and eventually allow the opportunity to begin training with the e-collar only, without the need for a leash!
The Heel command is an important concept for Nahko to begin developing early on in his training, as his stopping his habit of pulling on the leash is one of the main goals set for him. Constant pulling while on the leash can potentially pose dangers to his handler, himself, or others in the area if it is allowed to continue. The goal for the Heel command is for Nahko to be able to follow directly alongside his handler on their left side at their heels, and maintain that position while walking unless released or given a new command. This precise positioning takes a lot of practice to master, but it will reduce and eventually eliminate pulling on the leash or veering off in different directions, and allow his handler to take the lead on walks instead of him trying to pull them around wherever he pleases. To introduce this command, I kept the leash short but loose, and ensured he stayed on my left side in roughly the Heel position as we walked. If he began to veer off or pull ahead, leash and e-collar pressure were applied, and the verbal command Heel was given. He eventually began to grasp the concept, stopped trying to pull as much, and instead learned to follow the guidance of the pressure. When walking in the correct Heel position, the leash was loose, no pressure was applied, and lots of praise and rewards were given to communicate that he was in the desired position. As he gets better with this command, he will have an easier time staying in the Heel position without as much guidance or pressure needed, and will need to be reminded less frequently to maintain the position.
Pupdate 10/10/2023
Nahko and I took a walk to a local park today, where we introduced the Off and Come to Sit commands, as well as continued to practice the Heel command. We found a relatively distraction-free area of the park, and began the training session there where Nahko could have a good environment to focus and learn in. Once he began catching on to the new commands introduced, we began moving around to different areas of the park to practice around a slightly increased amount of distractions. Nahko did seem a bit anxious while at the park, though allowing him to sniff around and explore the environment regularly seemed to help him feel more calm. There were some other dogs at the park today, which were a bit of a challenge for Nahko. If another dog got too close, he would fixate on them and become very tense, which would eventually escalate to reactive behavior such as barking and lunging. As such, whenever another dog was present, we made sure to maintain a comfortable distance from them by creating and advocating for his space. Nahko would still be a bit distracted if a dog was within view, though by creating space we were able to prevent major reactions from triggering and encourage him to focus on his training.
Nahko is generally very easily distracted by his surroundings, which can make it difficult for him to regain his focus or listen to instructions being given to him. Moments like this are a great opportunity to implement the Off command. The goal for the Off command is for Nahko to stop whatever he is doing, and focus on his handler. This is a very versatile command, similar to "no" or "leave it", and can be used in various situations, such as to interrupt fixation on distractions, jumping on people, barking, or any other behaviors that are undesirable or inappropriate. The Off command when paired with leash and e-collar pressures allows me to quickly grab his attention and get him to focus on me so that he can listen for any upcoming instructions. Once the Off command is given, it's beneficial to immediately follow it with another command such as Sit, Heel, Come, etc. Once his focus is regained, asking him to perform a task will help keep his attention away from what initially distracted him or caused the undesirable behavior.
Come to Sit is another important command to begin practicing early on in Nahko's training journey, as it will be our main form of recall. Having a solid recall is important for any pup's obedience training, though this will be especially crucial for him to master if he is to be allowed off-leash. The goal for Come to Sit is for Nahko to come directly to me when called, and circle around to perform a Sit on my left side. While Nahko has some general understanding of the Come command already, he is largely unreliable, as he often chooses to ignore what is being asked of him and is quick to run back off after approaching. The Come to Sit command when performed in its entirety, ensures that he not only comes when called, but also requires him to sit beside his handler and not leave that spot unless released or given a new command such as Heel. By having him sit on the left side facing forward, we are also setting him up for success to begin walking in a Heel. We introduced this concept today by combining the verbal command with leash and e-collar pressure to grab his attention and guide him towards me. Once he followed the guidance and approached me, the leash was used to guide him around to my left side, where he was then asked to perform a Sit. As we practiced more, he began to rely less on the leash pressure to grab his attention and guide him, which is a good sign of progress! He would sometimes sit slightly out of the desired position once he got to me, though for his first day, he did a great job overall! With each successful repetition, I made sure to reward him with lots of praise and affection, to build up a positive association with the command and the act of coming to me when called.
Nahko is also doing quite well with Heel so far, and is quickly learning the desired position to be in when the command is given. His pulling behaviors have reduced significantly, and he can often follow along directly beside me with minimal to no leash pressure needed! He did sometimes lose focus and try to veer off or step out of position temporarily, however he is beginning to show a good understanding of the verbal command and e-collar, and was often able to correct his positioning on his own when asked with only slight physical guidance needed. We also practiced making lots of sudden turns and stops today, which helps to encourage focus and engagement, and ensures he is paying close attention to both his own positioning and the position of his handler so that he can accurately follow along even when unpredictable directional changes are made.
Pupdate 10/11/2023
Today Nahko and I began our training session at home, where we introduced two new commands, Place and Down. Beginning the session in a familiar and quiet place helped him feel calm and focused so he could have an easier time learning the new commands. Once he made progress in understanding these commands, we visited a local park to continue his training in a more distracting environment. When we arrived at the park, Nahko seemed nervous about his surroundings and was easily distracted by everything around us. Providing him with some reassurance and time to become accustomed to his environment seemed to help him feel less anxious. We continued practicing with the Off command as well, to improve his ability to regain focus and ignore distractions when prompted. He is making good progress with the Off command, however when he is very focused on a distraction he sometimes needs to be asked a few times before he snaps out of it and returns his attention to me.
The goal for the Place command is for Nahko to be able to jump or climb onto an object, such as a bench, bed, or other object, and hold a stationary position such as Sit or Down until released or given a new command. We introduced Place using a comfortable bed in his room that Nahko is already familiar with jumping onto and relaxing on in his own time, which helped to promote confidence and learning. By using leash pressure paired with the verbal command and a hand signal, he was able to follow my guidance and jump onto the bed when asked. He also seemed comfortable with sitting on the bed when asked as well, which was great to see! After practicing with this for a while, he seemed to understand what was being asked of him, and he no longer needed leash pressure to guide him. The bed was also a great place to introduce the Down command, as the comfortable surface naturally encouraged him to settle into the position. Down can be a tricky position for some dogs to perform on command, especially for dogs who often feel anxious, so taking steps to set Nahko up for success is important. I used leash pressure and some physical guidance to guide Nahko into the Down position, and the moment he followed the guidance and laid all the way down, lots of praise and rewards were given! He seemed to catch on to this pretty quickly, and soon was able to perform Down while on the bed with minimal or no physical guidance needed. We then practiced Down on a few different surfaces around the home, such as on the floor or on the grass in the yard, to help him become familiar with performing the command in a variety of places apart from the bed. While he did struggle with this at first, he was eventually able to Down anywhere around the house that I asked him to, though he did sometimes need physical guidance to help him follow through with the command.
Once he got the hang of both Place and Down while at home, we visited a park to continue his training out in public where more distractions would be present. There were lots of suitable Place objects at this park, such as a variety of benches and other low platforms. Despite Nahko's confidence and understanding of Place on the bed at home, he was very hesitant about attempting the jump onto any object at the park and needed a lot of reassurance and guidance to assist him. With a bit of extra help and encouragement, he was able to make the small jump needed to get onto a low bench, though he was a bit unsure of his footing and was hesitant to perform Sit or Down during the first several attempts. With some more practice, he eventually became a bit more confident with jumping onto the bench when asked, and only needed light leash pressure to show him where I wanted him to go. He also became more comfortable with performing a Sit while on the bench, however he protested heavily against performing Down and needed consistent guidance to lower him into the position. We also practiced Down around some other areas of the park, such as on the grass, pathways, or other surfaces, though Nahko showed the same hesitation and protest towards the command each time. When he did finally follow through with it, he was very quick to pop back up out of position, and struggled to stay in position due to his anxious nature. I found that sitting or crouching down beside him seemed to reassure him and communicate that it was safe and okay to relax even though we were in a public place. Regular praise and physical affection also seemed to help calm his nerves as we practiced this command. Towards the end of our session at the park, he seemed to be more calm and willing to perform Down even with a few distractions present in the general area, though he almost always needed some physical guidance to get into position.
Pupdate 10/12/2023
Today Nahko and I visited the Santa Monica Promenade, where we met up with some other trainers and their pups! Nahko's "sister" Sundara was also visiting the promenade and they seemed to enjoy each other's company. We practiced all of Nahko's commands at this location, and trained around various types of distractions. The area wasn't super busy, though there was a regular stream of common distractions such as people walking around, cars on the nearby street, as well as the occasional dog out for a walk. Overall Nahko was quite anxious and nervous in this environment, especially when in busy areas. The signs of stress and anxiety we noticed include behaviors such as excessive panting, hyper-awareness of surroundings, yawning, body trembling, pinned back ears, and occasionally raised hackles or a tucked tail. He also had a tendency to try to run off if something spooked him. Certain distractions seemed to have a higher chance of triggering his anxiety, such as sudden loud sounds, dogs being nearby, or too many people around him. Sticking to quieter areas, providing Nahko with lots of reassurance, and allowing him to take regular breaks to sniff around and decompress went a long way in reducing his overall anxiety. With time he did eventually calm down a bit, and he was able to listen and follow through with commands, though he did have trouble concentrating and regularly needed to be reminded of the task given to him.
While in quieter, less distracting areas, Nahko did a good job with his Heel and seemed happy to stick directly beside me as we walked around, needing very little or no leash pressure to guide him. When more distractions were present Nahko struggled with maintaining the Heel position, as he was constantly checking his surroundings and focusing on what was going on around him, which caused him to fall out of position regularly. He never tried to pull hard on the leash, though he often veered off, or began walking in front of or behind me. Nahko consistently did well with his recall and Come to Sit overall, in both quiet and busy areas of the promenade. When the verbal command was given, he was often quick to come running right to me and circle around to position himself for a Sit on my left side. If he was extremely focused on something he did sometimes need a bit of reinforcement to grab his attention, though he would typically Come after one or two more repetitions of being asked. He did sometimes need a bit of leash pressure to help him find the proper position beside me, though he was often able to focus on other indicators to guide him such as hand signals.
Nahko overall did a good job with his stationary commands, and was able to perform Sit, Down, and Place with relative ease and minimal physical guidance when in quieter areas of the promenade. However when around certain kinds or too many distractions he would struggle to perform or hold the position asked of him. If something nearby caught his attention, he would tend to stare and fixate on it, which would lead to him feeling uncomfortable or vulnerable and cause him to stand back up or break the position before being prompted to. He did well with his Sit today, and was usually able to perform the command with the verbal cue and hand signal alone, though if he was highly distracted or feeling stressed he struggled to hold the position for more than a couple of seconds. Nahko was able to perform Down while at the promenade, though was often hesitant and needed some physical guidance to help him enter the position. Once in a Down, he needed a lot of reassurance and praise to encourage him to remain in position, otherwise he was quick to stand back up. Place was also challenging at times if too many distractions were present, though he did gain a lot of confidence with this command today which was great to see! After being introduced to an object and asked to Place on it a few times with guidance, he was often able to jump onto it by himself when prompted without needing any extra help. He did seem to benefit from me pulling my foot up on the object I asked him to Place on, though after practicing with the object more he became comfortable jumping on it without me doing this.
Pupdate 10/13/2023
Today Nahko and I took a walk down a local shopping strip, where we practiced all of his commands around the various distractions present. There were groups of people walking along the sidewalks, other dogs, and distractions such as strollers and bicycles. The shopping strip is also alongside a busy street, so lots of loud cars, buses, and other vehicles were driving past us. We also visited a few of the dog-friendly stores, where we walked around and practiced commands inside. One store we visited was a pet store, and Nahko earned a yummy treat for being a good boy and impressing the employees with his obedience skills!
Nahko was a bit nervous about walking along the sidewalk near the street at first, though he did seem to gradually calm down the more time we spent there. We took frequent breaks to allow him to sniff around and become familiar with where he was, which helped keep his stress levels down. He was a bit distracted by people walking past us, though he was more nervous when other dogs were around. When another dog was walking towards us, we stepped off to the side and had Nahko Sit behind me as they passed by, which helped to create distance, advocate for his space, and create a physical barrier between him and the other dog. Nahko didn't display any reactive behavior towards other dogs today, and though he was a bit nervous at times, he understood that he could trust me to keep him safe. This allowed him to focus on the command given to him and not feel the need to react out of fear. Nahko was also easily startled by sudden sounds coming from the street, such as cars honking, loud engines, and emergency vehicle sirens. When hearing a loud sound he would sometimes try to run away, and end up hitting the end of the leash before calming down enough to realize that he was not in any danger. He would recover quickly after this, though during that brief moment of panic, he was unresponsive to commands such as Heel or Come. This is something important to keep in mind when considering the types of places where Nahko can safely be allowed off-leash in the future, as environments prone to loud sounds could result in Nahko suddenly running away if a leash is not present to physically prevent him from doing so.
We mainly focused on Nahko's Heel today, as we spent a lot of time walking along the sidewalks and inside of various stores. Nahko now fully understands not to pull ahead while walking, and seems much more comfortable following alongside his handler rather than leading them. For nervous dogs, Heel can be a gamechanger for walks as it allows the pup to not feel like they have to take the lead and make important decisions about where to go or what to do, and instead they can relax and trust their handler's guidance. Nahko is still very aware of his surroundings when we are somewhere unfamiliar, though I am seeing moments of focus and engagement with me more frequently, which is great to see! While practicing Heel inside of stores, Nahko did a very good job about maintaining his positioning, and was generally more relaxed and focused. While out on the sidewalk, he still did a good job with Heel though he sometimes lagged behind a bit when something he was unsure of was in front of us, such as another dog or a large group of people. Similar to yesterday, Nahko did a great job overall with his Come to Sit, and was always very eager to Come right to me when called. We also practiced more with his Sit, Down, and Place, and Nahko is making good improvement with these commands as well. He was able to hold Sit and Down for longer periods today, even while some distractions were present or while we were practicing on the sidewalk. He also was much more confident with Place today, and was able to jump or climb onto a variety of different elevated surfaces without any hesitation.
Pupdate 10/14/2023
Nahko and I visited an outdoor mall today, where we practiced each of his commands around various distractions. The mall wasn't overly busy today, but there were some common distractions such as groups of people, music, other dogs, and some flocks of birds. Overall Nahko was a bit distracted at times, but he didn't seem as anxious as he typically has been while out in public. He was able to maintain focus for longer periods and engaged with me quite regularly as we trained, which was great to see! I made sure to reward him every time he checked in with me and remained focused on his training to encourage more of this behavior. We also took a quick walk along a sidewalk just outside of the mall, which was near a busy street. This environment was a bit overwhelming for Nahko, and he was generally quite anxious and prone to getting spooked by loud noises or other distractions. He was still able to listen and perform his commands without too much trouble, but he needed constant reassurance and reminders of what was being asked of him due to his struggle to remain calm or stay focused on his training.
While at the mall we practiced each of Nahko's commands, and worked on gradually weaning him off of leash pressure. If Nahko is to be able to train off-leash, he will first need to learn to perform each of his obedience commands without relying on the leash to physically guide him. So today, we used very minimal leash pressure during training, and reserved the use of the leash only for when Nahko truly needed it. When first asking Nahko to perform a command, no leash pressure or e-collar stimulation is used, and his instruction is communicated via the verbal command and a hand signal. If Nahko responds to this and follows through with the command, great! However, if he needs additional reinforcement to catch his attention and encourage him to follow through with the command, the command is repeated and paired with the e-collar stimulation, with the stimulation slightly increasing each time the command needs to be repeated until he follows through with what is asked of him. If after several repetitions of this, he can't quite focus or figure out what he is supposed to do, only then will the leash be used to gently provide physical guidance to help him through the command. This process allows Nahko the chance to problem solve, and rely on his knowledge of the command and listening skills instead of always being physically guided with the leash, while still being fair and providing him with extra help if needed. Anytime Nahko was able to perform a command without the use of the leash, he was given lots of praise and reward to communicate the job well done!
Nahko did a pretty solid job with his Heel today, especially while inside the mall. He did okay while out on the sidewalk also, though he did need a lot more reminders and leash pressure to help him stay in position. We practiced giving Nahko some extra room on the leash, to allow him the freedom to make decisions about his positioning without the leash constantly guiding him into place. When he did fall out of position, he was oftentimes able to correct his positioning when asked, though occasionally he did struggle to focus and reposition himself properly, so the leash was sometimes needed to adjust him slightly. Nahko did a good job with his Come to Sit as well, and didn't seem to rely on the leash to get his attention or get him moving towards me once the verbal cue was given. When no leash pressure was applied, he did pretty well with the maneuver around to my left side for the Sit, though he did sometimes Sit slightly out of position. When this happened, he was asked to correct his positioning without the use of the leash to guide him, and he was often able to correctly reposition without extra help. Whenever the leash did need to be used, he only needed very slight momentary leash pressure to guide him. Nahko did quite well with his stationary commands as well. Nahko was able to Sit without any leash pressure, though if he was particularly distracted he sometimes needed to be asked a few times before he realized what was being asked of him. He was also able to perform Place on various objects around the mall, though if the object was something completely new and unfamiliar to him he sometimes needed a few repetitions with light leash pressure before he was comfortable jumping onto it without the extra guidance. Nahko was also able to perform Down without any leash pressure sometimes, though more often than not he did end up needing a small amount to encourage him to follow through with the command. He does seem to be getting more comfortable lying down in public, which is great to see! Though he did sometimes break his Sit position to begin laying down, so while it's great to see him comfortable enough to lie down, in those situations he was asked to return to the Sit asked of him until instructed otherwise. This helps keep his training consistent and ensures he does not get in the habit of breaking the position asked of him when he feels like it.
Pupdate 10/15/2023
Today Nahko and I visited another outdoor mall to continue practicing each of his commands around distractions using minimal leash pressure. Upon first arriving Nahko seemed a bit timid, though after being encouraged to explore and sniff around he quickly warmed up to the environment and was much less stressed. We practiced his training around many different kinds of distractions, such as near groups of people, other dogs, and scents from nearby restaurants. He did a great job around the distractions at the mall, and didn't feel the need to fixate or react towards major distractions such as other dogs. He was even able to Heel past other dogs, and hold stationary commands as dogs walked past us without breaking the position asked of him. We also spent some time near the parking lot, where we continued working on desensitizing him to the sounds of cars and helping him overcome the fears he has of loud noises. By giving him praise and rewards when he hears a sound he's normally afraid of, we can work to form a more positive association with the noise, as good things happen when he hears it! He did get a bit startled from time to time if a particularly loud and sudden noise occurred like a car honking, though he was able to recover very quickly and always engaged with me after as he knew I would provide reassurance and praise.
When first beginning the training at the mall we started off with his usual setup with the prong collar, though once he was warmed up and focused on his obedience, we went ahead and swapped the prong collar out for a slip lead. Since he no longer constantly uses all of his strength to pull on the leash and does not rely on firm leash pressure to guide him, we were safely able to make this change. The slip lead still allows us to provide clear physical guidance when needed, though the pressure is more gentle, which helps us continue to work towards the goal of removing leash pressure completely. There may be some environments where Nahko could still benefit from the use of a prong collar, but it proved unnecessary at the mall we visited today as he was more relaxed and focused on his training.
Nahko did an excellent job with his Heel, and even with the prong collar absent, he understood not to pull on the lead or otherwise leave the position asked of him once the command was given. We were able to Heel past all kinds of distractions, and though he did sometimes lose focus and fall slightly out of position, he never completely left my side or tried to run away or towards distractions. When reminders were needed, he was often able to correct himself without the use of the leash, though occasionally he did need a gentle nudge in the right direction if he was distracted. Nahko also did great with his Come to Sit, and was usually very responsive and quick to come right to me whenever he was called. Since the slip lead we used today is a bit longer than his usual leash, we were also able to practice adding in some extra distance between us for his recall. He also did very well with his positioning, and almost always sat directly beside me on my left side after being recalled, without needing any leash pressure to physically guide him and instead focusing on my hand signals. For Nahko's stationary positions, we mainly focused on continued confidence building and improving his ability to remain in the position asked of him for extended periods of time. He was able to Place on many different objects at the mall today without any leash pressure, though some objects were unfamiliar to him and he did need a bit of guidance to show him where to go for the first attempt. He didn't need any leash pressure for Sit, and was confident in performing this command whenever and wherever he was asked to. He was also able to perform Down without any leash pressure about half of the time today, which is great progress! When leash pressure was needed, only very gentle and momentary pressure was needed for him to follow through with it, and sometimes all I needed to do was touch his leash for him to understand what was being asked of him.
Pupdate 10/16/2023
Today Nahko and I spent the day training around various areas of my neighborhood, where we continued to practice each of his commands with as little leash pressure as possible. We spent some time both in quieter and busier areas of the neighborhood to test Nahko's skills in different environments. While working in the quieter residential areas of my neighborhood, there were still common distractions often present such as other dogs, people, and interesting scents in the grass and landscaping. We also practiced his commands along a sidewalk near a busy street, which was full of the same distractions as the residential area but with the addition of extra noise from all the cars driving by. Overall Nahko did a pretty good job of staying focused on his training, and though he did get distracted or nervous at times, he was typically quick to shake it off and refocus when prompted. Nahko also did well around other dogs today, and didn't display any reactive behavior even if other dogs were close by. If we saw another dog coming our way, we stepped to the side to create a bit of distance between us and allow them to pass, which Nahko is now comfortable doing without feeling the need to bark or lunge at them as they go by. When another dog caught us by surprise, such as when rounding a corner or if they came from behind us, Nahko did become a bit anxious, though he was still able to follow directions and not display any reactive behavior.
We utilized a long leash during our training today, which is a great tool that can be used to provide Nahko with additional physical freedom to make choices and problem-solve without the use of leash pressure. By holding onto the opposite end of the long leash, we can simulate how Nahko may behave while off-leash, while still having him safely tethered in the event the leash proves necessary. The long leash allows Nahko the freedom to move up to fifteen feet away from me without any tension being applied, and also allows me to create more distance between us during stationary commands and Come to Sit. While working with the long leash along the sidewalks today, sometimes the leash dragging behind us would catch on fallen leaves, which made a sound that spooked Nahko a bit. We worked him through this by continuing to expose him to the noise, and rewarding him for keeping calm and staying focused even when the noise occurred. Eventually, he learned to mostly ignore it and didn't get spooked anymore when he heard it.
Nahko overall did a good job with his Heel, and was able to maintain the proper position beside me for the majority of the time as we walked, even with zero leash pressure being applied. He did sometimes fall slightly out of position when making sudden turns or if he was a bit distracted, though he was able to correct himself without needing any leash pressure to guide him back into position. Despite the additional freedom granted with the long leash, Nahko typically chose to remain directly at my side during Heel, which is a great display of his understanding and skills with this command! However on occasion, if Nahko became very anxious or spooked by something he would begin pacing off in a direction away from me, and would end up hitting the end of the leash fifteen feet away before recovering and responding to commands again. Nahko also struggled with his Come to Sit sometimes today, as he seemed to want to Sit in front of me instead of performing the full motion to circle behind me and position himself on my left side as usual. In most cases, he was able to correct his position when asked without needing physical guidance, though on occasion he did need slight leash pressure or a small nudge to encourage him to complete the command properly. Nahko did well with his stationary commands, and was able to perform Sit, Down, and Place all without any leash pressure used to guide him. We also practiced creating distance between us as he held his stationary positions, to encourage confidence and patience even if his handler is not directly beside him. He was also able to consistently hold each position for at least one minute at a time, even with distractions present around us. Depending on the level of distractions, Nahko would sometimes get a bit antsy after about one minute of sitting still, though if he broke position he was quick to return to it once given a reminder.
Pupdate 10/17/2023
Nahko and I visited a park today, where we continued practicing each of his commands around distractions using minimal leash pressure. He was a bit anxious overall when we first arrived, though before beginning the training session we spent some time walking around and encouraging him to sniff, explore, and view his surroundings. This helped him relax a bit, and throughout the session we took frequent breaks like this to allow him to decompress and relieve some tension. We also brought a toy along with us, and he had a fun time chasing it around and playing fetch with me, which further helped him feel happy and enjoy his time at the park. While training, he generally seemed to be in a good mindset and was quite focused and eager to practice his commands! He was able to stay calm and focused relatively easily when in quieter areas of the park, and didn't seem to mind when distractions such as other dogs or people were in the general area but at a comfortable distance away. However, Nahko was still prone to moments of fear, anxiety, and nervousness when the distraction levels began to increase past his comfort zone.
Nahko did a solid job with his Heel today, and though he would sometimes veer off when he became distracted by smells in the grass, he was able to refocus and return to position when prompted. We continued training with the long leash today, and allowed him fifteen feet of room on the leash by holding onto only the end of the leash. Once the Heel command was given, he did a good job of sticking directly beside me, and was happy to maintain that position without the leash being needed to guide him. Nahko also did a bit better with his Come to Sit today, and was able to be recalled both from stationary positions and while he was out exploring about fifteen feet away from me. He did a good job of coming to me when called, though every now and then he needed to be asked to reposition himself when completing the command, as he would sometimes sit in front of me instead of at my left side when the leash wasn't being used to guide him. Nahko did great with his stationary commands while at the park, and showed a lot of confidence, patience, and obedience with each command even without any leash pressure. He was able to Place on any object I asked him to, and was also comfortable performing and holding both Sit and Down. He was also able to remain in each position asked of him for about a minute a thirty seconds consistently, and was comfortable with me stepping away and walking around about ten feet away as he held the position.
Nahko overall did a great job with his obedience skills today and overall seemed to enjoy his time at the park, however he did have a few moments where his obedience was overridden by high anxiety. There were a few times when he got scared by things around us, which would cause him to be startled and sometimes feel the need to run away. When this happened, I attempted to recall him or ask for another command, though he was usually unresponsive to commands and the e-collar, and would only come out of his panicked state after reaching the end of the leash fifteen feet away from me. If the leash had not been there, he likely would have continued running in that direction for longer before snapping out of it. While fear reactions like these are becoming increasingly rare the more confidence he builds, it does raise concern regarding having Nahko off-leash in public places as the leash is a crucial tool for his safety when moments like these do arise. He has gained an excellent understanding of his obedience training and is very eager to please and follow through with commands when in more private or quiet environments, though certain distractions in public tend to elevate his anxiety and create a need for the leash. As such, we will be reserving any off-leash training we do in the future strictly for environments where it is safe to do so, such as at home, in fenced areas, or in other more calm and quiet locations without any major risks or triggers that could scare Nahko into running off.
Pupdate 10/18/2023
Today Nahko and I visited a park, where we continued practicing each of his commands around distractions with a loose leash. We focused on continuing confidence building, socialization, and working through fears about various stimuli, such as other dogs, groups of people, and noises. Overall he did a great job with each of his commands today, and with the wide open spaces at the park, we were able to create distance between us and major distractions so Nahko could focus on his training without feeling too overwhelmed. During the training, we worked around different kinds of distractions while keeping a close eye on Nahko's body language. If he began feeling stressed or nervous, we created some space until he could calm down and focus effectively, and he was given lots of praise and rewards anytime he was able to remain neutral and ignore the distractions. By repeating this process throughout the training we were able to gradually get closer to major distractions as Nahko learned that staying calm around them was safe and rewarding for him, and that he could trust me to advocate for his space when he truly needed it.
When we got home from the park, we spent some more time practicing his house manners. House manners are something we have been working on little by little each day since day one, and he has made great progress in developing good manners while at home! Even seemingly mundane day-to-day tasks can provide excellent opportunities for training, and adding a bit of structure goes a long way in helping Nahko develop good habits in his daily life. Nahko is generally much calmer, happier, and focused while at home, which has made teaching him house manners an easier process compared to the training we do in public places.
These manners include areas such as Food Manners, Door Manners, and Car Manners. The goal for Food Manners is for Nahko to be able to hold a stationary command while his food is prepared and set in front of him. He is then asked to remain in that position until he is released before he can get up and eat his food. Nahko usually gets excited about his food when first presented to him, and was prone to jumping on me and the counters, or rushing to the food bowl the moment it was set down, even if it meant knocking me out of the way to get to it. Despite his initial excitement, he'd usually only take a bite or two and then ignore it throughout the day if left out for him, so setting up scheduled mealtimes and incorporating it into his daily training has helped build a positive association with food, encourage him to eat when fed, and discourage impolite behaviors during mealtimes. Waiting in front of the food bowl in a stationary command builds anticipation and turns the food into a reward once he is released to eat it. Nahko likes to work for his food while at home, so this is a great way to engage his mind while ensuring he gets his daily nutrition. Similarly, asking him to perform commands or tricks and rewarding him with his kibble can be another great way to get him to eat his food as well as sneak in extra training, fun, and mental stimulation during mealtimes.
Another area of manners we have been working on is Nahko's Door Manners. The goal of Door Manners is for Nahko to hold a stationary position while near a door and remain there until released or given a new command, such as Come or Heel. He is asked to hold the position at the location asked of him, and not break the command even if the door is left open, if someone is knocking on it, or if people walk in or out of it. This practice teaches important boundaries, and prevents impolite and possibly dangerous behaviors such as trying to escape through open doors, shoving past people when walking through doors, and rushing over to jump on or bark at people who enter through the door. With daily practice, Nahko has made great progress with his manners related to doors, and understands to be calm, polite, and follow instructions no matter what distraction may be present. He has great manners with every door in my house now, including bedroom doors, the backyard door, as well as the front door.
Having good Car manners makes transporting Nahko easy, safe, and as hassle-free as possible. Since Nahko and I travel in the car almost every day, this is another area of his training we have been practicing organically during his time with us. The goal for Car Manners is for Nahko to be confident and willing to jump into the car when prompted without needing any physical assistance. Throughout our training, he has been gaining a lot of confidence about jumping up into my car or onto other objects, and is now able to do this easily and without any hesitation! Once in the car, another goal is for him to willingly enter a kennel when asked, without needing to be physically guided inside. At OffLeash SoCal, we ensure our dogs are secured in individual kennels while being transported in a car to ensure their utmost safety during their stay with us. Nahko was not kennel trained prior to his stay with me, so introducing it and building a positive association with the kennel was a key part of ensuring he remained happy and stress-free anytime he needed to be inside one. While he was definitely unsure of the kennel in the very beginning, he has now learned to feel very safe and calm while in the kennel, either in the car or while at home. After coming home from a walk or a public outing, Nahko often chooses to grab a toy and enter the kennel on his own accord to relax and de-stress, which is a good sign that he sees the kennel as a safe space! Nahko is also happy to enter the kennel when asked, and is comfortable with settling in for car rides or sleep time at home without issue.
Pupdate 10/19/2023
Today Nahko and I visited a mall, where we practiced all of his commands with a loose leash around distractions. We planned our visit for the morning, that way the environment wouldn't be overly crowded and overwhelming for Nahko. There was still a moderate amount of distractions such as groups of people, music, some other dogs, and other forms of distractions, though the overall distraction levels seemed to be at a comfortable level for Nahko. He had a few moments of anxiety here and there, and he did bark at someone who surprised him by walking up behind us, though he quickly calmed down once he realized they were not a threat. During our time here overall, he was relatively calm and focused for most of the time despite the public setting, which was great to see!
Nahko and I practiced his training both in the indoor and outdoor areas of the mall, to continue exposing him to a variety of environments and distractions. The outdoor area had some music playing and lots of interesting scents along the ground and in landscaped areas, whereas the indoor area had more people walking around. Nahko seemed to be more relaxed overall while outside, though he did become distracted more frequently as he was interested in sniffing around and would sometimes need reminders to focus back on the command asked of him if he got too carried away. We did take regular breaks to allow him to sniff and explore as usual as this is often a calming behavior for Nahko, however breaking or ignoring a command to sniff is something we want to interrupt and discourage by using the Off Command. While inside the mall Nahko did seem a bit more tense due to the busier environment, however he was generally quite focused and rarely became distracted by anything in particular.
We practiced a lot with Heel today as we walked around the various areas of the mall, and Nahko did a fantastic job! While in the outdoor section, he needed more frequent reminders as he would sometimes try to stop or veer off slightly to sniff something that we passed by, though it was not excessive and he was quick to refocus when prompted. While inside, Nahko was very attentive to his positioning and always remained directly beside me in the Heel position. The leash was not needed to apply any pressure or guidance, and he was able to walk very nicely with a completely loose leash. Nahko also did great with his Come to Sit, and was able to perform the command correctly and reliably anytime he was asked to even without guidance from the leash. He also did very well with his stationary commands, and was able to perform Sit, Down, and Place without any leash pressure. If he was feeling a bit nervous he sometimes needed to be asked a few times before he settled fully into the Down position, though he understood what was being asked of him and was able to follow through with it without much issue. He was able to hold each stationary position for about two minutes today, even if distractions were present around us, which is great progress!
Pupdate 10/20/2023
Today Nahko and I made another trip to the mall we visited yesterday, to continue working on each of his commands around distractions with a loose leash. We also met up with Sundara and her trainer at the mall, and Nahko seemed to enjoy their company and training alongside them! Nahko overall seemed a bit less nervous today, and seemed to remember the environment due to our previous visit. The mall was a bit busier today due to it being a Friday, though Nahko didn't seem to feel overwhelmed by the amount of distractions. He still had some general anxiety due to being in public, though he didn't have any severe fear reactions today. Similar to yesterday, Nahko seemed more at ease while in the quieter outdoor section of the mall, and he even felt good enough to run around and play with me for a bit while we took a break in a grassy area, which was great to see from him! The indoor section was a bit more populated with shoppers which made Nahko feel a bit stressed at times, but he still did a fantastic job with following commands and practicing his training. Whether in the outdoor or indoor areas, Nahko was comfortable performing each of his commands with a completely loose leash. We were also able to get some great footage of Nahko showing off his obedience skills in public, which will be used in putting together his final video, so be sure to check out today's video for a sneak peek! Today's video also showcases a clip of Nahko's Greeting manners, which he was a very good boy for!
Greeting Manners is another area of his training that we have been practicing regularly over the course of his time with me, and is something he has made great improvement with so far! The goal for Greeting Manners is for Nahko to calmly and politely hold a stationary position beside his handler when being greeted by someone, and not display any behaviors such as jumping up, barking, growling, etc. Due to Nahko's past, he is often distrustful and scared of new people, especially while in public, if they suddenly invade his space, or if they attempt to touch him before he's had a chance to become familiar with them from a comfortable distance first. If he's feeling very scared or uncomfortable, he will communicate this with body language such as raised hackles, a tucked tail, pinned ears, staring, lip licking, trembling, etc. If these signs are ignored, it will escalate to growling or barking. Due to this, a close eye has to be kept on Nahko's body language if a greeting is to take place with a new person, and is not a process that can be rushed. The first step is to inform the person who will be greeting Nahko that he is in training, and that he is a nervous pup, so the best way to help him feel calm is to keep some distance and essentially ignore him until he feels calm. This allows Nahko to identify the person and become familiar with them without feeling invaded upon, and allows him to observe the situation and understand that the person is not a threat. Once Nahko is relaxed, curious, and not nervous about the person, then they can approach closer. As long as Nahko remains calm and stationary, the person then can calmly and gently pet him and say hello.
Generally, I don't recommend allowing complete strangers in public to come up and greet Nahko, as it's unnecessary and can be stressful for him. Also, if the stranger does not follow instructions to greet him correctly, Nahko may feel the need to react or lash out, which is definitely something that we want to avoid. As such, greetings should mainly be reserved for when Nahko is first being introduced to someone you already know, or when he is greeting someone that he already knows. Today, we introduced him to a family member of mine who was comfortable helping us with his training. After a few minutes of her being around Nahko, his attitude changed from nervous to very happy and loving, and soon enough they were fast friends!
When practicing Greeting Manners with someone who Nahko is already familiar with, he is unlikely to feel scared of them but instead may be very excited and may want to jump on them due to this, hence the importance of having him hold a stationary position. Giving him attention or praise when he is over-excited, jumping up, or otherwise behaving impolitely will result in those behaviors becoming encouraged, which would negatively affect his progress. By ensuring all praise and affection are reserved strictly for when he is holding the position asked of him and behaving calmly, we can work to encourage only good behavior. Working on his Greeting Manners in different situations has helped him become accustomed to the process when meeting or saying hello to someone, and he is doing a great job with learning polite manners!
Pupdate 10/21/2023
Today is Nahko's last full day with me, meaning he has officially completed all fourteen days of his Board and Train Program! We spent the day putting all of his learned skills to use to have a fun day together! We started our day off with a nice walk around the neighborhood, then we visited a Petco, and we finished the day off with a trip to a local park. At each location, we continued to practice all of his commands, to ensure his training stays fresh in his mind so he can continue to be the best version of himself even after he goes back home!
During his stay with me, we have spent time walking around my neighborhood each day, which has helped it become a familiar and comfortable environment for him. He had no issue performing any of his commands while around the neighborhood, and did a great job staying focused! The trip to Petco was a bit more of a challenge for Nahko, as it was an unfamiliar environment full of distractions such as other dogs and people. He was definitely nervous at first, though after walking around the store for a bit he seemed to become less tense. He was able to perform each of his commands without issue, and was able to ignore the distractions around us when prompted. Nahko also really seemed to perk up when we walked down the toy aisle, and since he was being such a good boy, he got to pick out a new toy to take home with him! He picked out a small donut plushie, and after buying it he happily carried it all the way out of the store and into the car, so it's safe to say he's happy with his choice! The park was another great place to continue practicing his training, as well as have some fun with his new toy! We had visited this park a few times before, so the environment was familiar and he generally seemed quite calm and happy to be there, which was great to see!
Nahko has been a pleasure to train and share my home with, and I'm so grateful to have been a part of his journey! He's still the same goofy, playful, and loving pup he's always been, but now he has fantastic skills in obedience and manners that make him even more of a joy to be around. Nahko has gained so much confidence during his time with me, and he has made amazing progress with learning to trust, overcoming fears, and managing his anxiety. Little by little, he is discovering that the world is not such a scary place after all! With his high intelligence and eagerness to learn, the sky is the limit for this pup! I'm confident he has a very bright future ahead of him in his continued learning journey with his family! Good boy Nahko, and happy training!
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