Odin | American Staffordshire Terrier | Garden Grove, CA | In - Training
- priscillaoffleashs
- Nov 27, 2022
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 7, 2024
Meet Odin! He is a playful and loving one year old American Staffordshire Terrier Mix from Garden Grove, CA who has joined us for our Two Week Board and Train Program. Odin has joined Off Leash So Cal to work on a few behaviors such as puppy nipping, pulling on the leash, potty training, greeting manners, and overall obedience in different environments. Stay tuned for his Two Week Transformation!
Pupdate 11/27/2022
Odin and I went on a stroll around the neighborhood to expose him to his new temporary home. After he sniffed around and explored we worked on some crate training which he can use some work on. I used high value rewards to mark it with a Yes as he slowly followed leash pressure towards the crate. He was very hesitant and it took him some time to enter the kennel so we will be emphasizing our work on this for the next few days. We will also be hanging out together for the rest of the day and get him familiar with me before we work on introducing him to new commands tomorrow!
Pupdate 11/28/2022
Odin and I took a trip to the park together where we introduced him to the prong collar and e collar. These collars are communication tools that we use to reinforce commands. When utilizing a prong collar, I guide Odin with directional changes of the leash. Odin was not a fan of the prong collar. Since he was used to having it on before but wasn’t conditioned to it, his instinct to resist leash pressure kicked in. He became very anxious upon arriving at the park, panting heavily and sweating from his paws excessively. The park was not very busy, and he was panting as if he just finished running. We walked around the park together and he began to jerk his head whenever he felt the leash pop in one direction, and when under a healthy amount pressure, he began to bite the leash and jump. He redirected the biting towards me and nipped at my arm but did not break skin. At first I stepped on the leash to stop him from biting. This helped initially but he was quick to return to biting the leash again after I removed my foot. He then had the opportunity to work with other trainers who applied constant leash pressure whenever Odin had a tantrum episode. This pressure was applied until he stopped fighting. After a few repeats of these episodes with different handlers, Odin began to understand that he wouldn’t win these battles he puts up, and he needs to follow through with what is expected of him. By holding him accountable for his actions, exposing him constantly to new environments and pushing him to work past his thresholds, we will break through his resistance and build motivation to work.
Pupdate 11/29/2022
Odin and I emphasized our work today on crate training, Heel, and his Extended Sit. These past few days he has resisted any attempt to go into the kennel at home. We worked on pairing the pressure of a slip lead leash towards the kennel along with stimulation from the e collar and after a few tries, he began to go in the kennel with very little leash pressure which was big for him! We then worked on his Heel which is the action of him walking next to my left hand side, checking in with me and turning when I turn. If I stop walking he is expected to Sit. When I applied leash pops with the slip lead he was not as reactive yet still had his moments where he resisted the leash and pulled away from me. It is important not to release pressure at that moment. If pressure is released when he does this it only reinforces his tantrums and he will feel as if he won. I kept the pressure constant towards me along with stimulation from the e collar at a level he was responding well to. The pressure was then released the second he followed my guidance of the leash. Towards the end of the session he Heeled nicely next to me, sitting when I would stop walking.
After teaching him leash pressure we worked on his Extended Sit which he was able to perform for about 40 seconds.
I have noticed that Odin does not seem to want to his food. He will pick at it every now and then but mostly leaves it in the bowl. I tried feeding him outside of the kennel instead to see if that was why he did not want it but he seems to only eat once he is really hungry. This may be due to his high anxiety. I will keep monitoring his food intake and weight.
Pupdate 11/30/2022
Today for Odin’s training session, I used his kibble and fresh pet food instead of treats to help him finish his servings but he took no interest in it. We still utilized leash pressure to guide him during his Come to Sit and Heel which he has improved with. He protests at times but his tantrums are much less frequent and not nearly as long. I introduced him to Place which helps him create a calm state of mind. As you can see in the video he immediately went into the Down position once on the Cot which is exactly what I am looking for. Place is great to use in the house when house training Odin near guests. Since dogs are very visual, it helps them to have a visual target to be sent to and expected to stay on until released with the cue Break. It is also great to use outside of the house and helps build confidence as you practice on different surfaces with Odin.
Pupdate 12/1/2022
Today Odin and I went on a trip to the park. We had a rough start as Odin was extremely excited to go outside and tried to bulldoze his way through the door. I had him sit for the door to start the walk on a calm note but he is a highly energetic dog who requires a lot of exercise so I made sure we had a long power walk through the park once we arrived. Odin was very reactive towards squirrels, ducks, and dogs as we passed by them. I made frequent 180 turns with him to keep him engaged. After about 30 minutes of frequent turning, stimulation to cue Off, and frequent stopping, Odin began to check in with me. He checked in for about two seconds at the most but was very focused on his environment. At times he would try to run off full speed, which I then began stimulate him to interrupt his behavior. I gradually increase the levels on the e collar remote to a number he responds to until he complies. At the beginning of the session he tested this quite frequently. Towards the end of the session he offered his cues more fluently.
He is learning to not resist pressure as frequently anymore but we are still experiencing resistance and avoidance at times. We will keep working on impulse control near his triggers.
Pupdate 12/1/2022
When Odin and I begin a training session, the first 30 minutes are usually the most difficult for him to work through. He exits the house with so much excitement, that leaving the house takes us some time as he is pulling, whining and resisting leash pressure while I guide him to Sit and wait patiently for the door to open. If he gets up the door closes on him. Until he is sitting while the door is wide open, then he is able to exit at the same time as me as I Cue Heel. I do not Break him, as that gets him overstimulated. I am promoting calmness to Odin whatever opportunity I can get, especially as we leave the house. Once we exited the house and began to work on his Heel in the front, we practiced calming circles. Walking in circles helps diffuse anxiety and reactivity. Frequent 180 turns with stimulation of the e collar helps keep him engaged with following my lead. When he resists I apply constant leash pressure upwards until he stops his tantrums. It is taking him less time to stop his tantrums, but he definitely exits the kennel with a mind of his own. After applying constant leash pressure until he stops, multiple times throughout the first 30 minutes of training, he became tired of fighting and complied with all of the commands. I then introduced him to the Down command. Down is great to use to help Odin enter a calm state of mind. Whenever he offers the behavior on his own I capture it by marking it with a Yes and rewarding him. He began to take treats at the end of the session but he was very selective as to when he took them.
When we got back home, I fed him two cups of fresh pet since he finished all of his food this morning. He ate all of his dinner as well so I am noticing he is not a fan of his kibble! We will stick to the fresh pet servings from here on out. Now that we have covered all of the commands, we will begin to work on proofing them in different environments and build fluency as well.
Pupdate 12/3/2022
Odin and I went on a trip to the park where we trained near plenty of distractions such as packs of squirrels, dogs, and kids running around which was a big distraction for Odin. Today was the first day Odin did not put up much of a fight to put on his prong collar or e collar. I rewarded him as I put it on him which seemed to help him become more calm during the whole process. This was also his first day that he was willing to take treats from me. Leaving the house was much less difficult, as he exited the kennel calmly not trying to bulldoze through it anymore. He does still need help from me to stay in the Sit position as we exit but he is beginning to understand that fighting won’t get him what he wants.
When we got to the park, he was very fixated on his surroundings as he panted heavily, and his pupils in his eyes were extremely dilated. After about 30 minutes of walking, and exposing him to his environment he appeared to be more calm, panting less and able to lay Down on cue and voluntarily.
Pupdate 12/4/2022
Odin and I worked on his manners today after going on a stroll around the neighborhood together, working on our Heel. I gave him frequent breaks as we walked around to let him explore. Letting dogs explore their new surroundings is a great confidence builder and is always recommended when somewhere new, as long as he isn’t pulling.
When we got home, we worked on his Food Manners. He is expected to hold his Sit or Down while served food. I then create distance between us until I am able to go out of sight. He can then eat when released with the cue Break. Good work Odin!
Pupdate 12/5/2022
Odin had the opportunity to work with another trainer today which definitely helps him generalize everything he has been learning so far, with people other than just me. He tested his new handler at first, by resisting leash pressure and resisting the Down. After working through it, he became more consistent and began to follow his handlers lead as they Heeled around the park. He did not chase any squirrels today which is a big improvement! His will to fight is minimizing each and every day.
Pupdate 12/6/2022
Odin and I went on a trip to the Outlets today. This was a lot for Odin to soak in initially as he wanted to say hi to everyone and was pulling. After frequent 180 turns, and exerting some energy, he became more fluent with his commands and was able to hold his Extended Place and Sit while distractions passed by him. It was his first day seeing a skateboard and a scooter. This was great exposure for him as I cued Off then turned the opposite direction. Odin struggled with his Come to Sits while near crowds so we will emphasize our work on improving that as well as add more duration to his commands.
Pupdate 12/7/2022
Odin and I went on a trip to the outlets today to work on all of his commands with added distance and duration utilizing the 15 ft leash. After about 15 minutes of walking around the outlets he improved with his Heel and followed my lead as we made frequent turns to redirect him when he would pull. He is a very friendly dog who loves the attention. We have been practicing his Greeting Manners which he struggled with initially. I tell whoever he is petting to only pet him if he’s in the Sit or Down position. If he gets up he is no longer allowed to say hi. After a few tries he improved as we kept his interactions short and sweet. We will definitely be emphasizing our work on his Greeting Manners these next few days.
He did well with holding his Extended Sit and Place for two minutes which is a big improvement for him! He didn’t take as long as he did yesterday to acclimate to his surroundings and checked in with me more frequently. We will begin filming for his Final tomorrow!
Pupdate 12/8/2022
Odin and I had an eventful day filming for his Final video at the Citadel. After we took a few laps together, we worked on all of his commands . Initially he tried to to go in the Down position from a Sit. I corrected this with leash pressure upwards which helped him remain consistent with holding his Extended Down and Sit. He improved with his Come to Sit, and although still needs to redo them a few times, he now is able to do it with minimal leash pressure or guidance from me. He practiced his Greeting Manners, as I reminded whoever greeted him to only pet him if he was sitting.
Pupdate 12/9/2022
Odin and I started our morning with a stroll around the neighborhood to further proof his commands. After working on everything he has learned I had him interact with the rest of the pack through the gate first to get him familiar with them and read their body language around each other. Once they initiated play through the fence, I had them all sit and wait to interact. Once released with the cue break, they ran around together and chased each other. He was able to check in frequently while playing with the other pups which is exactly what I am looking for!
Pupdate 12/10/2022
Odin 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 Odin won’t have a habit of being the first one out.
After Heeling together around the neighborhood and working on his Manners, we played tug of war and fetch together in the backyard. Playtime is a great outlet for Odin to release energy. Since he is a very energetic pup, this is highly recommended. Odin is a quick learner who just needs structure and consistency to be the best pup possible! Thank you for trusting me with your pup and we absolutely can’t wait to show you what he has learned!
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