Meet Tiki! He is an eighteen month old Pitbull mix who has joined us for our Two Week Board and Train Program. Tiki is here for basic obedience, jumping to greet, and leash pulling. He gets along with people and other dogs, but he has also shown signs of being territorial with his food or toys if another dog tries to take it. The goal for Tiki is to build a strong foundation by giving him the structure and guidance that he needs. Over the next fourteen days Tiki will be working on his behavior and be set up for success, with the hopes of becoming a well mannered pup. Check in to see his progress!
Tiki and I spent the afternoon getting to know each other. We went for a walk around the park to establish a bond. He was a little whiny after you left, but he calmed down shortly after. Once in a much calmer state, I introduced Tiki to heel, which consists of having him walk next to me on my left side. When he pulled away, I turned, walked in the opposite direction, and guided him back towards me with leash tension. Tiki is understanding the concept and is pulling less on his leash. He still needs more practice, so I will continue to work on heel with him as it will now be applied on every walk that we go on from here on out. TIki did very well in his crate on the ride home, and he is settling in to his new home for the next two weeks.
Tiki and I drove out to a local park as I introduced him to his recall which is known as come to sit. It will consist of having Tiki come towards my right, wrap around behind me, and sit on my left side. By teaching Tiki his recall this way, it will automatically put him into a heel position ready to begin his walk. To teach Tiki I used leash tension to guide him towards my right. Once he was on my right, I then took a step forward, guided him to wrap around behind me with his leash, and asked him to sit once he was on my left. It took Tiki some time to understand the concept, but he is following through. Tiki did jump at me after I released him with a ābreak,ā and since we are still getting to know each other, I allow that sort of engagement the first few days. He did really well inside his kennel through the night and did not whine or cry. As you may have seen in yesterdayās pupdate for Tiki, I included an e-collar tutorial video, which is to give you an insight of its functions. Tiki will be coming home with an e-collar unit, which is attached above with its own unique serial number.
Tiki and I continue to work on his heel with our morning and evening walks everyday in my neighborhood. He has made improvement, and continues to progress with every walk. I also introduced him to place, which consists of having Tiki getting onto an elevated object and remaining there in a stationary position. To teach Tiki I used my place box and his treats. He was a little hesitant about it initially, so we walked around it, and I let him sniff it. Since sniffing is a natural behavior for dogs in general, it can help them feel more comfortable and secure. By allowing Tiki to explore any object with his sense of smell, we as owners are respecting his instincts which leads to building trust between us. Once Tiki became comfortable, I proceeded to guide him onto it with leash tension, and he was able to place both of his front paws on it, which I rewarded with praise and a treat. After a few reps, Tiki began to grasp on to the concept, which led to him following through with the exercise. Teaching place can be very beneficial for several reasons. It helps establish boundaries and promotes good behavior by encouraging the Tiki to settle in a designated area, which can reduce anxiety and hyperactivity. It also enhances his overall obedience, making it easier to manage behavior in various situations, such as when guests arrive or during mealtime. Ultimately, it contributes to a more harmonious living environment for both Tiki and his family.
Tiki and I drove out to a local shopping center to practice on his place a little more. Since he has been doing well placing on my place box, we moved to a slightly higher object, and practiced as people around the area served as a distraction. Tiki did well, and as we continue to work on it in various environments, including those with distractions, it helps Tiki learn to cope with different stimuli. This exposure builds his confidence in handling new situations and environments. By allowing him to remain on a place object while I move around or interact with others, Tiki learns to be comfortable being at a distance without me. This independence fosters self assurance and trust in his own abilities. I will continue to gradually expose Tiki to different distractions, and once we have more consistency with his placing, Tiki will be working on it by increasing his duration.
Tiki and I have been working on down. Down can be one of the most difficult commands to teach a dog since it is a submissive position, and it can also make a dog feel vulnerable being down on all fours. To teach Tiki, I used treats and leash tension in a quiet environment like my backyard to minimize distractions. I started by asking him to go into a sit position, holding a treat close to his nose to capture his attention. I gradually lowered the treat towards the ground, allowing Tiki to follow it. As his head went down, I gently pulled down on the leash to encourage him to lower his body into a lying position. As soon as he followed through, I immediately rewarded Tiki with a treat and lots of verbal praise. With Tiki learning to down, it can enhance safety, making it easier to manage him in public or around distractions. Additionally, it can foster a sense of relaxation in him, making Tiki feel more secure and reducing anxiety.
Tiki and I worked on what he has learned in a public setting. Before I begin a training session in an area with distractions, it is important to have Tiki adjust to his surroundings. Having him acclimate to a public area before a training session helps him become familiar with various stimuli such as sounds, sights, and scents, which can be overwhelming and distracting at times. This adjustment period allows Tiki to build confidence in the new environment, reducing anxiety that might hinder his ability to focus during training. Moreover, it provides an opportunity for myself to observe his behavior, identify potential distractions, and tailor the training approach accordingly. Now that Tiki has learned all of his commands and is following through, I will be working with a fifteen foot lead in the coming days, as I introduce him to distance and duration.
Tiki and I began working on distance and duration with a long line. Teaching Tiki distance and duration with a long line is essential for fostering independence while maintaining control. This practice enables him to explore his environment, which is crucial for Tikiās mental and physical stimulation. By allowing him to experience greater distances, he gains confidence in navigating his surroundings. Simultaneously, the long line provides a safety net, ensuring that Tiki remains within a manageable range and can be recalled if needed. This balance helps strengthen training commands, as he learns to respond even when he is farther away. Ultimately, it cultivates a bond of trust between Tiki and I, promoting a positive relationship built on mutual respect and understanding.
Tiki and I continued to work on his distance and duration with minimal distractions. He is doing very well and I can almost reach the end of the leash with Tiki remaining in his stationary positions. Once he shows more consistency, I will gradually expose him to more distractions. Working on distance and duration with him in a controlled environment before introducing him to public settings establishes a strong foundation of training, allowing Tiki to focus on commands and behaviors without the added distractions. This focused practice helps his obedience and continues to improve his confidence, which can make him more reliable in varied situations. Gradually increasing distance and duration also helps build Tikiās endurance and self control, resulting in a more well adjusted and calm pet when faced with new environments. Overall, this approach enhances communication as he learns to navigate the world around him.
Tiki and I worked on leash dragging exercises in my front yard since it is an enclosed area. Practicing in a secure space minimizes distractions, allowing Tiki to focus on his commands. Once he is consistent and responsive in the enclosed setting, transitioning to public spaces becomes smoother and more manageable, ensuring Tiki is better prepared to handle the sights, sounds, and stimuli of the outside world. By having his leash drag, it provides a safety net which allows me to maintain control while he learns to respond to his commands without leash tension. Additionally, having the leash drag encourages Tiki to learn and follow commands independently. This can be beneficial in strengthening positive behaviors, as I can guide or redirect him if he becomes distracted by relying on his e-collar. He was having trouble with his down, but since it was his first time working on it without leash tension, I am going to keep practicing with Tiki and work him through it.
Tiki and I worked on his stationary positions at a local park with his leash dragging as people walking by served as a distraction. He did very well and has made an improvement with his down. Training with his leash dragging at a park, where people and other distractions are present, allows Tiki to experience real world scenarios in a controlled manner. By having the leash drag, he has freedom to explore while still maintaining a connection to me. It fosters a form of independence in Tiki, encouraging him to make choices while learning to respond to commands amidst distractions. With todayās progress during our training session, Tiki is just about ready to begin working off leash as he begins preparation for his final.
Tiki and I have been working on his door manners. Initially, Tiki had a tendency to rush through doors the moment they were opened. To address this behavior, I implemented a training technique where I would ask him to lie down before opening any door. If he attempted to get up and go through the door, I would close it and reset him back into the down position, repeating this process as necessary until he understood the expectation. As Tiki became more consistent in remaining in the down position with the door ajar, I introduced a new step. Once I stepped through the door ahead of him, I would release him with a verbal break to signal that he could follow. By applying the distance and duration method during our door training sessions, Tiki has successfully learned to exercise patience and wait for my cue before proceeding through a door.
Tiki and I have also been working on his food manners. Like his door manners, I used the same approach with the difference being his food instead of a door. By having Tiki wait for your cue before releasing him to eat, establishes you as the leader and helps him understand boundaries. It also encourages patience, which can translate into better behavior in various situations. Additionally, it can reduce food aggression and anxiety around mealtime, leading to a more relaxed and enjoyable eating experience for Tiki. He has done very well and can approximately wait two minutes before releasing him to eat, and can go even longer with repetition and consistency.
Tiki and I have been working on his greeting manners. Maintaining a calm and relaxed state is important for him when meeting new people, as it can help him foster positive interactions. When Tiki is in a calm relaxed state, he is more likely to respond appropriately, reducing the risk of anxiety. A relaxed demeanor also helps create a positive first impression, allowing the other person to approach without fear, which can lead to a more enjoyable and safe experience for both Tiki and anyone saying hello. Moreover, teaching him to remain calm during greetings continues to help build his confidence and social skills, making him more comfortable when interacting with different people.
Tiki has completed his Two Week Board and Train Program and is ready to come home. I want to thank you for trusting me with Tiki while he was under my care, and for giving me the opportunity in being his trainer. We became really good friends and I will miss his companionship. Remember to remain consistent with his training as you continue to guide him on the right path and set him up for success. He did very well with his final which will be coming soon, but here is a sneak peek at Tiki showing what he can do. Thank you Tiki!
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