Willow | Shepherd Mix | Rancho Palos Verdes, CA | In-Training
- Jose Ayala
- Sep 3, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 16, 2022
Meet Willow! She is an eighteen month old Shepherd Mix who has joined us for our Two Week Board and Train Program. Willow is here for basic obedience, jumping to greet, counter surfing, and being aggressive towards other dogs. Willow tends to get anxious and will bark and whine when company is over. She recently had to be muzzled due to her aggression towards other dogs, and she is not enjoying the dog park like she used to. Willow also jumps on counters and gets overly excited at feeding time. Over the next fourteen days, this sweet lady will work on her behavior and be given the structure that is needed, with the hopes of having Willow become a well mannered pup. Check in to see her progress!
Willow and I spent the day getting to know each other. She did great in the kennel on our ride home and did not cry or whine. We went for a walk to establish a bond and we are becoming good friends. We began training by introducing Willow to her recall which is known as Come to Sit. This consists of having Willow coming towards my right, going around behind me, and sitting on my left. Willow is very food motivated and understood the concept fairly fast as I lured her with treats and guided her with leash tension. She is adjusting to her new surroundings and I am looking forward to working with her these next two weeks.
Willow and I began working on Place today. This technique builds confidence in a dog and is of great use whenever guests are over, or if there is a knock on your door. It consists of having Willow getting onto an elevated object and remaining there in a Sit or a Down. She did very well hopping onto the objects, but as soon as I would ask her to Sit, Willow would come out of it in an instant. To work her through it, I used treats as a reward for remaining in a Sit every time she placed. Willow is understanding the concept, and is beginning to follow through.
Willow and I took a drive out to Petsmart to restock on some supplies. We took a walk throughout the aisles to work on Heel, which consists of having Willow walk next to me on my left side. She was great walking next to me and did not pull. Heel will now be implied on every walk we go on from here on out. Walking in, there were two dogs at the register and Willow did not react or show any aggression towards them. She also received compliments from employees on how mellow and well behaved she was.
Willow and I worked on Down today. Down can be a difficult technique to teach considering it being a submissive position to a dog. To teach Willow, I asked her to Sit, and then used leash tension and her kibble to lure her towards the ground. She sat up during our first attempts so I placed my hand over her back and kept her from getting up by applying slight pressure whenever she made an intent. It took time and patience, with breaks in between to avoid frustration, but Willow was able to accomplish her Down.
Willow has been working on her Extended Sit but was having trouble maintaining it whenever I would start increasing distance. To help her with that, I moved back one foot at a time with five second increments. One foot back is five seconds, two feet back is ten seconds, three feet back is fifteen and so on. Willow is doing well as she is almost up to one minute, and today I was able to go around Willow full circle without her coming out of her Sit. In the coming days, Willow and I will be training in more public settings and work around different distractions.
Willow and I went out and did a little shopping today. We began with a walk throughout the shopping center to have Willow adjust to her surroundings. Willow’s Heel is great, we are now loose leash walking, and I trust that she will stay next to me during our walks. Willow was having a little trouble with her Down and would sit up when people would pass by, so I stood next to her and rewarded her whenever she remained Down and someone passed by. It took a little practice, but I was able to increase distance and have Willow follow through.
Willow and I continued to work on her Extended Down today in another public area with different distractions. She showed improvement and only came out of her Down once before I reset her and tried again. The day before, I had to stand at a closer distance of about four to six feet, but today I was able to increase it more, and stood about six to eight feet. With this week coming to a close, Willow has learned all of her commands, and will begin working with her leash dragging these next few days, to have her ready for her off leash experience.
Willow and I went out for a walk around my neighborhood today and began working with her leash dragging. Willow does fall a little behind at times but we are working on it to get it cleaned up. We also practiced a Come to Sit in which she needs a little more practice on, but did good considering it being her first time with no leash guidance. Willow and I will continue working this way to work her through different distractions.
Willow and I are working on piecing everything she has learned together in preparation for her Final. During our recall session, Willow would either Sit behind me, or stop and Sit when coming towards my right. After luring her with treats, Willow started to show improvement and began to follow through without them. She did really well with her stationary positions, working through distractions such as skateboards, scooters, and bicycles.
Willow and I drove out to our local outlets and put together a little run through of what she has been learning. She was a little nervous initially, but went into a calmer state once she adjusted to her surroundings. Willow did really well and is just about ready to begin her off leash conditioning. Her stationary positions still need a little work with duration, so I will keep practicing with Willow so she can reach her goal.
Willow and I worked on a few final sessions with her leash dragging, and I was able to increase distance without her coming out of her stationary positions. There were a few dogs in strollers that we passed by during our walk, and Willow ignored them and showed no reactivity towards them. She is now ready to begin her off leash conditioning, and will now be working this way for the remainder of her Program, as she begins preparation for her Final.
Willow and I have been working on her Food Manners throughout the time she has been in training. When I would place her food bowl on the ground, she would wait and not approach it until I stepped away. Once I took a step back, she would then make her way to the bowl to start eating. I picked up the bowl, reset her by asking her to Sit, and start the process over again. After a few repetitions, Willow caught on to what I was asking, and I slowly began increasing distance and duration. We stayed consistent, increasing time everyday, and Willow has learned to wait patiently for her food.
Willow and I worked all of her commands today and she did very well with distractions all around her. During our warm up session, Willow was being praised and complimented for her good behavior by employees and shoppers. She was able to work on her Greeting Manners and is able to Sit when someone approaches to greet her. Willow will be working on her Final the next couple of days as it is going to be the main focus from here on out.
Willow has completed her Two Week Board and Train Program and is ready to come home. It was really great having Willow with me these last fourteen days. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with Willow and for trusting me while I had her under my care. We became great friends and she will be missed. Her Final video will be coming soon, but here is a sneak peek of Willow working on her Door Manners.
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