The whole exercise from start to finish took about 40 minutes. Apologies for the black portion at the top and along the sides of the video; my phone case was in the way. It's challenging to video when I'm working alone.
@followers Linda Putney
Miss Bella the puppy is doing well with her basic obedience lessons. In this video, we are at the end of her lesson, practicing the "place" command after first starting to learn how to walk nicely on a loose leash. Bella is smart as a whip; when she's had enough, she drops to the ground and just stays there. 😅 Her owner is still learning how to handle the leash properly, but I know she'll get there. Great work, Bella and Owner! :)
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Remember Silas, the reactive German Shepherd? Well, today, he and his owner achieved something his owner thought was impossible: calmness, removing his muzzle (pics in comments), engagement and checking in, and a heel position she's been trying (and failing) to achieve his whole life (3 years). Even more joyful to her was that she was able to achieve it all on a hands-free lead, after spending just ten minutes working Silas on a 1-foot traffic lead. Team Mona with Silas for the win! 🥰
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Little Bella is now 14 weeks old. In today's lesson, we reviewed last week's lesson - sit, focus ("look up"), the name game, and down ("lay"). We also started the process of reintroducing her to her harness; this is necessary, because little Bella hates it and has a tendency to bite at it and strongly resist having it put on her. She still has some growing to do before an appropriate collar will fit her properly, so the harness is the next best thing. Bella also has a tendency to bite at hands when she's being offered treats, so it was equally important to include time to teach her different ways to get what she wants - without biting. She did really well, and so did her owner. Great job today, Team! :)
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Today was a big day for Echo. He and his owner practiced walking together inside the house.... and then, outside. Ken is still learning how to relax with the leash and not overthink things, so he did a lot of over-correcting. This confused Echo and made him hesitant; he didn't know what Ken wanted. Video was ended so that I could sit down with Ken to discuss the situation. Both he and Echo are learning how to become a team that's in sync with each other; it's obvious there's a big problem with clear communication, so we'll be working on that over the next few sessions. For their first time really working together - and, taking it outside, where Echo is very easily distracted - Ken and Echo did a pretty great job. Way to go Team Echo!
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Today was Echo's second session on the prong collar. We worked inside for a little bit just to refresh his memory... and then, for the first time, Echo and his owner started learning how to work together. First, I worked with Ken, letting him get the feel of the leash as well as the fitting of the prong collar - and, teaching him how much pressure to apply if he needed to. Then, I gave him the leash and he and Echo began practicing easy, very basic recall exercises. Echo and Ken did a great job learning how to work with each other. 👍 Go Team Echo! :)
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Yesterday's session with Echo was beyond awesome. I was joined by my mentor and friend, Esther Eckert (Doglandia Boarding, Training and Private Dog Park). We introduced Echo to the prong collar, and not only did it help him start becoming aware of leash pressure, it actually helped him focus. Focusing, and awareness of the leash, has been such a tremendously difficult challenge for him, even indoors...
The positive changes that took place in Echo were astounding. For the first time, he was able to manage his excitement, he was able to take control of his impulses, and he was able to pay attention to his pacing and his position beside me. During a play session, there was a new sparkle in his eyes, and he worked really hard to control his excitement. He did nip me accidentally at one point, but the point was that he corrected himself the second he realized his teeth were touching my flesh. He is learning to be aware of where his mouth is in relation to the toy he's going for. It was beyond beautiful, and I could not be more proud of him. ♥
When the session was finished, Echo offered both Esther and me kisses. His eyes were all sparkly and he had a big grin on his beautiful face. We were really proud of him, and he knew it. And, while Esther spoke with the owner and his main caregiver about Echo's life and the progress he had made, Echo came to me and offered eye contact, and then, affection. It was a profound moment that showed me just how much he has come to trust me, and it truly humbled me.
I have been heavily resisting the use of the prong collar for months now, because of Echo's traumatic experiences with an e-collar used incorrectly by previous handlers who left marks on his neck. But, by taking the time to introduce him to it properly, and then, giving him time to adjust to it before putting the leash on and slowly walking him around, Echo adjusted beautifully and fairly easily to it - and without any pain or fear. By the time the session was done, he was
Today's session with Echo went not too badly. It's very time-consuming with him because he struggles with both paying attention, and retaining what he's being taught. When working outdoors, the problem is amplified because there are just so many distractions - all of which he really wants to experience, all at once. This is awesome, considering how terrified he was outside when I first began working with him last year. But, now he needs to learn that he needs to work for what he wants; that nothing is going to be handed to him just because he wants it when he wants it. All in all, though, I think Echo did pretty okay today. 👍
Echo's door greetings are getting better. While he is still going to the door instead of waiting at the top of the stairs, he isn't *rushing* the door anymore. And, he moves away more quickly. It's great progress for him. 🥰
It was raining off and on, so we worked indoors on some basic commands (heel, front, down). We also introduced one of his most favorite balls into his reward protocol: when he sits or downs on a command and holds that position for at least 10 seconds, he gets the ball. The position duration is short because he struggles with staying focused and controlling his impulses. He's a special needs dog, so I take that into account and work with what he can give me, for as long as he can give it. Though building on duration takes a lot of time and repetition, once Echo gets it and he can retain it, he'll be holding position like a boss. ♥
Echo has a tendency to invade space and get underfoot. Recently, he nearly got stepped on because of it. Today, I began teaching him the "back" command. He did pretty good for his first time, but I could see he was struggling to connect the marker with the cue. So, we will keep working on it until he does connect those dots. :)
All in all, it was a great session with Echo today. I'm looking forward to getting him back out for more leash training. He's really having a hard time tuning into it, and he's still not engaging with me like he should be by now. But, I'm not complaining; as I said, he's a special needs dog, so I work with what he can give me and reward him like crazy when he manages to get things right for even a few seconds. :)
Echo worked hard today. He wore his mobility support harness for the first time. Due to the owner's severe mobility issues, the start of this training began inside the house, and with the help of Echo's secondary handler, Carrie. Considering this was his first time on the harness, Echo did a really great job. And just to be very clear: This aspect of Echo's training will always and only take place when a second person is present to provide the owner with added physical support.
Great job today, Team Echo! :)
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Milo had a problem with leash pulling, and a refusal to walk on the left side. So, we turned the issues into a game, and this was the result.
If your dog is pulling, or not recalling around distractions, try turning it around and making a game of it. As you can see in this video, it works. :)
Being aware of your energy is crucial to helping your dog experience the world as a safe place.
This is Duke. Duke was highly reactive to both people and other animals. By finding their "happy place" and calming their energy, Duke was able to start learning how to trust his owners, especially, his mom. It took time to get him to this point, but if his owners continue to practice the calming techniques they were taught, Duke should also start to feel more secure and enjoy life more.
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When teaching your dog to recall, whether from a short distance or a longer distance, act like you've just won the biggest lottery in history and you're the only winner. That high, excited energy will bring your dog running every time. If you use food treats to reward, having them handy when they reach you makes the reward even more valuable to them. :)
Video: my dog doing a distance recall drill
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Live, love, and laugh with your dog! This video was taken by my daughter in 2014. Glimmer had just turned 2 years old, and one of her favorite things was playing with me in the snow. On this day, I had no idea my daughter was watching, never mind filming. I'm so glad she caught this.... Enjoy your day, and remember to stay calm and lead on. :)
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Today's session with Echo was highly productive. It was too cold to be working outside, so we practiced sit, down, front, and gentle. Because of his life prior to finding his current - and permanent - forever home, Echo is developmentally delayed. What most dogs learn quickly and fairly easily takes Echo twice as long, or longer to learn. So, what he did today was extraordinary and definitely worth celebrating. 🥰
