Welcome Zoe, a 6-month-old German Shorthaired Pointer, to my two-week board and train program! This young and timid pup is looking for some essential obedience training and a significant confidence boost. I'm really excited to work with her and her family!
Pupdate 10/13/2024
Once I brought Zoe home, I took some time to introduce her to my dog, Kilo. Zoe was quite timid and seemed frozen at times, but she didn't display any signs of aggression. Kilo is adept at interpreting canine body language, and I believe that the more time they spend together, the more confidence Zoe will gain in her social interactions. Meeting new dogs can be daunting, especially for a young pup like her who may have encountered dogs without proper boundaries.
Later in the evening, I decided to take Zoe for a walk around the block to see how she would handle it. Overall, it wasn't bad! She did try to stop several times, but after doing a couple of 180-degree turns to encourage her to keep moving, she happily walked alongside me for the rest of the outing. We did come across some barking dogs, which made Zoe want to flee. While this is a completely natural instinct, I want to prevent her from running away. Instead, I aim to reinforce the importance of staying by my side. With enough practice, she'll build the confidence to realize there's no reason to be fearful. Iām really looking forward to starting her training tomorrow morning!
Pupdate 10/14/2024
Zoe had a restful night and didn't have any potty accidents. We began our training early in the morning by focusing on the Heel position. Eventually, "Heel" will mean walking alongside me, staying close, and sitting when I stop. Since this is a lot of information for her to absorb at once, I decided to simplify it by teaching her how to find the initial position at my left side. I used a small position box and a wall to help ensure she stays parallel to me, but I plan to remove these aids over time. My main goal for today was to teach Zoe to respond to leash pressure instead of resisting it, showing her ways to relieve that pressure, such as sitting down, returning to my side, or simply relaxing. Once she learns how to respond more effectively with the leash, I can gradually introduce her to more distracting environments. I've noticed that even a distant car door slamming or a dog barking can easily draw her attention away from me. During our walk this afternoon, she did much better at maintaining her heel position, although itās clear that she remains quite sensitive to the surrounding noises. With consistent exposure and time, Iām confident her confidence will grow!
Pupdate 10/15/2024
Zoe's day began with an early morning walk to Haines Canyon! As we strolled through my neighborhood, we encountered several houses with barking dogs in the front yard. Initially, Zoe was a bit hesitant when we approached the first house, but by the time we headed back home, she had grown indifferent to the barking. While it may seem like a small step, any increase in her confidence is a significant victory.
At one point, a black trash bag rolled across the street, and Zoe instinctively tried to bolt away from it. I kept her in the heel position, and instead of retreating, I took the opportunity to walk back and forth past the bag several times. With each pass, Zoe gathered more information, realized the bag wasnāt as frightening as she thought, and was eventually able to walk confidently past it. I encourage you to do the same if Zoe encounters anything that scares her. If it's safe, take some time to explore and investigate the situation with her. This approach can help boost her confidence rather than reinforce her instinct to flee. Great work today!
Pupdate 10/16/2024
Zoe's day began with an exciting pack hike along the Eaton Canyon Trail! The parking lot was bustling with people and dogs, making it a fantastic exposure experience. I was really impressed with Zoeās focus and her ability to maintain her heel position, even in the face of some loud distractions. At first, she hesitated to enter the shallow, flowing water, but after watching little Betty navigate it with ease, she eagerly joined in.
During the hike, we encountered a large group of people, and I decided to step aside to create some extra space. Without any prompting, Zoe stayed in her heel position and calmly sat by my side, observing as the group passed by. This shows her growing confidence and stability in her training. She is a clever girl; she just needed a little guidance.
Later in the evening, we worked on introducing the e-collar in conjunction with the "place" command. Now that Zoe has a solid understanding of leash training, I can start applying that knowledge to the e-collar. The "place" command is a great starting point because it provides her with a clear physical object to associate with when the pressure is released. My goal is for Zoe to see the e-collar as a "GO" button rather than a "NO" button. Although corrections will be necessary as we progress in her training, my focus is on teaching her how to respond positively to e-collar pressure rather than just using it to halt unwanted behaviors. This process takes time and lots of repetition, as you can see in the video!
Pupdate 10/17/2024
Today, we kicked things off with a group walk, and it was a breeze with Zoe's improved leash skills! Later in the morning, I took her to the park for the first time on a long line. While she had 30 feet of leash to explore, she more or less wanted to stick near me. While it's definitely not a bad decision, the more I allow her freedom I hope to see her confidence grow in exploring new surroundings. The drag of the leash made her unsure about running freely at first, but after a bit, she really embraced the freedom, and we were able to practice our recall commands together.
After a nice, restorative afternoon nap, I took Zoe to the hardware store where we continued working on her heeling in a busier environment. She certainly garnered a lot of attention, but I was impressed with how focused she remained throughout our trip. We rounded off the day with another stroll around the neighborhood before settling in for the evening. Great work today!
Pupdate 10/18/2024
This morning, I took Zoe back to the park! Now that she has mastered the "down" command in my living room, weāre focusing on practicing it in different settings. With some dedicated effort, she'll be able to do it anywhere we go. We also visited the DIY hardware store to work on her heeling through the aisles in a new environment. While we were there, we met the store's rat control cat, and Zoe was curious but respectful. We practiced holding the "down" position near the entrance, which I enjoy because it catches people off guard to see a cute dog in a hardware store. When they notice Zoe and inevitably comment about how sweet she is, itās the perfect opportunity for me to reinforce her down command. We finished the day with a relaxing nap on the patio and some fun chasing Kilo around the backyard. Well done today, Zoe!
Pupdate 10/19/2024
Today was quite an eventful day for Zoe! We kicked things off with a group trip to the park, where our main focus was teaching her to remain neutral around other dogs. The dog park is always bustling with energetic dogs on Saturday mornings, providing an excellent distraction for Zoe. We started from a distance, working on loose leash walking while dogs barked and played nearby. Even with several fences and a gully separating us, Zoe was quite excited by the extra energy and initially struggled to focus. However, after some time and practice, she was able to maintain her heel position. We gradually moved closer to the dog park until we could walk right alongside the fence without any issues.
To wrap up our time at the park, we worked on holding our sits and downs right outside the dog park. I love having my personal dog, Kilo, with us during moments like this because his calm demeanor serves as a great example for the other pups.
Later in the afternoon, we focused on drilling threshold manners, which means Zoe learned not to rush through open doors without first being released. We started our practice at my front door and then moved to my car doors. While the exercises looked different, they were both aimed at instilling the same skill of impulse control. Great job today, Zoe!
Pupdate 10/20/2024
This morning, I took Zoe and my dog Kilo to the park to continue our recall training. Iām pleased to report that Zoe is showing much less sensitivity to her surroundings and is growing more confident each day. She happily followed Kilo around the park, really beginning to embody the spirit of a curious and self-assured pointer. We even encountered a fellow five-year-old pointer, and Zoe handled the interaction remarkably well. Initially, she froze a little but then relaxed enough to allow gentle sniffing, which eventually led to both of them trying to play together. We also practiced the āplaceā command on a large rock in the middle of the park. Despite the distractions of soccer games, distant dogs, and several family cookouts, Zoe stayed calmly in her position, soaking in her environment. Iāve included a video with some basic information about the e-collar we will be using. Iām incredibly proud of how far Zoe has come in just a week!
Pupdate 10/21/2024
Todayās group trainer meetup was a fantastic opportunity for all of us to bring our dogs together in a shared environment, complete with added distractions. I arrived early to give Zoe a chance to acclimate before things got too busy. Our main focus for the day was to refine her heel command and improve our use of the e-collar.
Iāve found that a practical way to approach the e-collar is to align its use with leash pressure. For example, when I ask Zoe to sit, I apply gentle upward pressure on the leash while simultaneously activating the e-collar. As soon as she sits, I release both the leash and the e-collar pressure. With enough practice, weāll be able to rely less on the leash over time.
As more trainers and dogs arrived, I anticipated that Zoe might become a bit skittish. However, she surprised me by handling the chaos like a champion! She maintained her heel position beautifully even when multiple dogs passed by, and she remained in a stable position next to Kilo for about ten minutes while I worked with another dog. I couldnāt be prouder of her confidence today!
Later in the evening, I took Zoe to a dog-friendly patio for dinner. While she occasionally needed a gentle reminder to lay back down, she continued to perform wonderfully. Overall, it was an impressive day for both of us!
Pupdate 10/22/2024
Today was an eventful day for Zoe! We started our morning with a hike along the Gabriellano Trail in the Los Angeles National Forest. Zoe was incredibly well-behaved and engaged during our hike, showing off her talent for heeling and bonding with the pack. It was a joy to see how eagerly she participated, and she maintained her focus throughout the trail.
After our refreshing hike, we had to stop for an oil change, and I took that opportunity to work on her training in a new environment. Initially, she was barking in the car, unsettled by the unfamiliar sounds of the mechanic shop. Thankfully, the staff was accommodating and allowed me to bring her out for training right in the shop.
At first, the noise was overwhelming for Zoe, especially the hissing of the air compressor, which made her jump and bark. However, I remained patient and focused, walking her back and forth around the shop for about ten minutes, concentrating on maintaining a strong heel amidst the cacophony. Gradually, I noticed a significant shift in her reactions; she began to react less and less to the sounds that had initially startled her. This training session was a great example of helping Zoe confront something that scared her, just as we did when she encountered a plastic bag in the street. Instead of fleeing or barking, she learned how to work through her discomfort. Itās moments like these that help her grow more confident in unfamiliar situations. Great job today, Zoe!
Pupdate 10/23/2024
Early this morning we had some socialĀ time in the backyard. I'm pleased to share that Zoe is showing much more restraint around little Betty. While she's always friendly and playful, there were times when her energy could be a bit too much for Betty to handle and would only stop with some leash guidance. Zoe has really been learning to calm down, give Betty the space she needs. She insteadĀ focuses her intense play on Kilo, who reciprocates her energy wonderfully.
Later in theĀ afternoon I took Zoe to a Starbucks patio, and she laid comfortably at my feet theĀ entire time even when several dogs passed by. This was Zoe's first time in this environmentĀ and she handled it very well!Ā
We've been integrating more threshold drills around the front door as well. We're now focusing more on the e-collar to encourage her calmness and control, rather than relying solely on the leash. This approach is proving effective in helping her better manage her excitement when entering or exiting the house.
Overall, Zoe is making great strides forward, and I'm excited to watch her continue to grow and thrive!
Pupdate 10/24/2024
This morning, we embarked on a group outing to the Americana Mall in Glendale! The bustling environment, filled with people, children, and other dogs, provided the perfect opportunity to test Zoe's new skills. We began by locating a patch of grass so everyone could relieve themselves before entering the mall. This is an essential step to prevent any marking or accidents in the middle of such a lively crowd, as there are both indoor and outdoor sections.
Once our potty break was complete, we started heeling through the mall. It was delightful to hear compliments from onlookers about how adorable the dogs were! However, my focus was on ensuring that Zoe remained calm and composed amidst the distractions around her. I was particularly proud of her as she navigated the bustling crowd, another step in her ongoing training journey.
In the middle of the mall, they were in the process of constructing their Christmas decor, and loud drilling and sawing noises filled the air. Previously, such intense distractions would have caused Zoe to bark or run away. Today, however, I was thrilled to see that she was able to maintain her commands and composure despite the chaos around her. It was a significant milestone, demonstrating her growing confidence and ability to stay focused even in challenging situations.
Later on, Iāll return with just Zoe for some one-on-one training to reinforce the progress she made today. Several people approached us, eager to pet the dogs, and I used these interactions to gauge her comfort level. With Zoe, Iāve learned to take our time: if she seems calm and interested, Iāll allow a gentle greeting, while still keeping an eye on how she responds. I want to ensure that she doesnāt feel overwhelmed, especially with strangers. With more exposure and positive experiences, I'm confident Zoe will continue to build her confidence and become even more at ease in various environments.
Later in the evening, we attended a family birthday BBQ, where Zoe was excited to meet my mom's little Chihuahua. Despite his age and limited mobility, they had a great time playing together! It was heartwarming to watch Zoe enjoy herself, and it turned out to be a fun-filled day of training and socialization that reinforced her growing maturity.
Pupdate 10/25/2024
Today, Zoe and I had another training session at the Glendale Americana, and she performed wonderfully! At this point in our training, her obedience is quite strong, and weāre focusing on generalizing her commands in the presence of various distractions.
As we strolled through the mall, we encountered a kiosk featuring an array of squeaky toys. The sounds were lively and enticing, and Zoe was absolutely convinced they were real. The squeaks and flashes of movement were an excellent test for her skills. She was initially a bit overwhelmed by the noise and commotion, but I seized this opportunity to help her reinforce our obedience. We began by gradually approaching the kiosk area, practicing our commands in a calm and controlled manner. When I asked her to sit and stay in the midst of the squeaking toys, she hesitated at first, clearly tempted to rush over and investigate. However, with patience and encouragement, I guided her to stay focused on me. Over time, she began to manage her excitement and stayed engaged without feeling the need to dash after the toys.
In the afternoon, we shifted our focus to enhancing her impulse control during meal times. I had her wait in a down position while I prepared her food, and when it was ready, I used a release word to let her know she could eat. This routine has become an integral part of her training, and I'm delighted to see that she's shown significant improvement. Great job, Zoe!
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