Meet Oliver! A four month old Corgi who has joined is for our Three Week Puppy Board and Train Program. Oliver is here for basic obedience, learning how to walk on a leash, potty training, and chewing on shoes and furniture. He is good with other people and likes to jump when greeting them. Over the next twenty one days, Oliver will work on his housebreaking behavior and be set up for success, with the hopes of becoming a well mannered pup. Check in to see his progress!
Oliver and I spent the afternoon getting to know each other at a local park today. We went for a walk and I noticed that he pulls on his leash and likes to run back and forth. To correct his behavior, whenever he would pull away, I would stop, give him slight leash tension, and guide him towards me. He is still having some trouble understanding the concept considering Oliver being a puppy, but with repetition and consistency, Oliver will begin to follow through.
Now that Oliver has been introduced to leash pressure, we began working on Heel. This technique consists of having Oliver walking next to me on my left side. Whenever Oliver would pull away from me, I would turn around, and walk in the opposite direction. He is doing much better and is not running back and forth like he used to. He is making improvement, and Heel will now be implied on every walk we go on. Oliver also does well in the kennel and does not cry or whine in the car, and he was great sleeping through the night without an accident.
Oliver was introduced to Place today. This technique consists of having Oliver getting onto an elevated object and remaining there in a Sit or a Down. It can be of great use whenever guests are over or if there is a knock on your door. To teach Oliver, I led him towards the object, and used leash guidance to help him get on. He was a little scared initially, but every time he touched the object I rewarded him with lots of praise. It took a few attempts, but Oliver was able to Place on the object, and with a little running start, I was able to have him Place on a slightly higher object.
Oliver and I worked on his recall today which is known as Come to Sit. It consists of having Oliver come towards my right, going around behind me, and sitting on my left. With leash tension and his kibble, Oliver was able to pick up on it very well. Considering his size, I had to squat during our initial sessions to lure him around me to have him Sit on my left. We also worked on Place a little more to build more confidence, and became very distracted during our session. By using leash tension, I corrected his behavior to help him understand that it is not ok to jump on people. I will continue to work him around different distractions to have Oliver follow through with what I am asking.
Oliver was introduced to Down today. Down can be a difficult technique to teach considering it being a submissive position to a dog. To teach Oliver, I asked him to Sit, and then used leash tension and his kibble to lure him towards the ground. Considering his size, I worked on an elevated object to make it a little less difficult for him and I. 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 Oliver was able to accomplish his Down.
Oliver and I worked on some more confidence building today by having him Place onto a different object with a different surface. Once introduced to the object with a little guidance, Oliver boosts his confidence more and will hop onto an object with no hesitation. We also met with other trainers and their dogs, who assisted us by serving as a distraction for Oliver. He is doing great, and in just under one week, Oliver has learned all of his commands. He still needs more practice, but I enjoy watching him progress as we move further along in his training.
Oliver and I went out for a stroll at a local park today around children, other dogs, and squirrels. He tried to go after the squirrels, but I corrected his behavior by redirecting him. The closer we got to the squirrels, whenever Oliver made an intent to react, I went the opposite way with him. We worked on a lot of repetition, and he began to follow through. I will continue working on it with him as we visit more parks.
Oliver and I have been working on his stationary positions by increasing distance and duration. I have been practicing with him throughout the week in increments. For one foot that I stepped back, I waited five seconds before releasing him with a “Break.” Two steps back is ten seconds, three is fifteen, and so on. He is doing great and is almost up to one minute. With week one coming to a close, week two will consist of having Oliver work in more public areas with bigger distractions. His Place needed a little more practice today considering the surface and shape of the object, but Oliver was able to follow through.
Oliver and I worked in a more public setting today around dog and people distractions. When Oliver was working on his Extended Sit, he was having trouble maintaining it whenever someone passed him by. He would come out of his Sit and walk towards me. I worked on it by shortening the distance between Oliver and I, and we began to see better results.
Oliver and I have been working on loose leash walking and he shows improvement every day that we work on it. He is doing much better with people distractions and is following through with much more distance. During our initial sessions today, Oliver would come out of his Down anytime a stroller would pass by him or try to avoid it during our walk. I was able to work oliver through the stroller distractions, and can now remain in a stationary position without coming out of it.
Oliver and I drove out to a local lark and worked around different distractions that included ducks and small turtles. Oliver was hesitant initially and would not go near them throughout our walk. We kept our distance, and as he began to get a little more curious with his nose, we made a closer approach. He did really well and can now be around ducks from a short distance without the risk of flight or the risk of a reaction from him.
Oliver and I spent some time at home today while I got some work done in my backyard. We went out for our daily morning walk throughout my neighborhood and had some breakfast shortly after. After a nap, I took him out back and let him run around as I threw a ball around with him. Oliver also got to enjoy some playtime with his new friend Misha in the front yard. They have become good friends and they get along really well.
Oliver and I have been working on his Greeting Manners in which he has shown a big improvement in. He has learned that he is to remain in a Sit whenever he is approached by someone that wants to say hello. It was difficult for him to do so in the beginning of his training, since he would come out of his Sit and proceed to jump when being greeted. With repetition and consistency, Oliver has managed to successfully be greeted without coming out of his Sit.
Oliver and I have been working on Door Manners since the day I brought him home. Anytime I opened a door, Oliver would always want to be the first one to go through. To help him into not doing so, I would ask him to Down when we approached a door. Once in a Down position, I proceeded to open the door, and made sure Oliver remained in his position. When I opened the door, every time he sat up meant the door would close, and the process would repeat itself. Once Oliver understood what I was asking, I began to increase time and distance to keep him in a Down longer, which led to Oliver following through and reaching his goal.
Oliver and I took a drive out to a local Home Depot today and worked on some noise desensitizing. He did really well in the lumber department as customers loaded their materials onto their shopping carts. Oliver did get a little fearful of a flatbed cart in the store and came to a halt during our walk just before we passed it by. I worked Oliver through it by having him walk by it from a distance, and slowly moving in closer. He was able to follow through, and he even placed on it and let me push him throughout the store.
Oliver and I worked in a more crowded area with lots of people distractions today and he did really great. He does well around other dogs and adjusts very well to his surroundings. With this being his final week of training, Oliver will continue working in public areas as he begins preparation for his Final. He continues to thrive and I enjoy watching him progress each day.
Oliver and I took a trip to do a little shopping today. I worked on his Extended Sit while I looked around the aisles as people passed us by. While we were in line, we also practiced on his recall. When the line would move, I asked Oliver to Sit as I moved forward, then ask for a Come to Sit so he can come towards me. He was having trouble with it initially due to limited space with other people being in line, but Oliver was able to follow through.
Oliver has been practicing Food Manners ever since I picked him up. He would jump on me whenever he saw the bowl in my hand, and would head straight towards the bowl as soon as I placed it on the ground. To keep Oliver from doing so, I picked the bowl up and asked him to Down. Once in a Down, I placed the bowl on the ground again, waited a few seconds, and then released Oliver with a Break. Every meal consisted of the same approach with the only difference being the time increase Oliver would have holding his Down. He has made great improvement and can now wait for his food patiently until I ask him to Break.
Oliver and I did some walking down Hollywood Blvd. today. He had a little trouble adjusting to his surroundings initially, but after a few laps, he slowly started to get accustomed. He received many compliments for his good behavior and how obedient he was. Oliver is ready to begin working on his Final and it will be the main focus for the remainder of his Program.
Oliver and I worked on his Final today and he did pretty good. We worked on a few exercises to have him warm up, and I am very proud of the results. He has achieved so much for being a puppy in only three weeks. With consistency and patience, Oliver is capable of learning so much more. He does well with distractions and new places once he is adjusted, and he is getting used to bigger crowds of people.
Oliver has completed his Three Week Puppy Board and Train Program and is ready to come home. It was a pleasure to have Oliver with me these past twenty one days and I am looking forward to showing you what he has learned. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity in being his trainer and for also trusting me with him while he was under my care. I enjoyed his companionship and he will be missed. Thank you Oliver!
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