Vinny loves playing mat games out in the world but carrying a GSD sized mat can be cumbersome. Today we played with reducing the size of the mat so that the mat is more like a “mark” for movie dogs. That way his human can bring a mat along in her pocket - how functional! We started by folding his big mat and quickly progressed to a dish towel. Expanding concepts is a cool way to broaden a skill set and see a dog’s brain in action. Also, it’s just fun 🤩
Rosie and new board and train Arlo (viszla) having a fun morning play session with the @kongcompany wubba bumble bee 🐝
Bunny’s loose leash walking is on point! 🐇⭐️🥳
Once a dog can easily play attention games in new environments, then we move to more continuous movement using the 123 pattern game from Leslie McDevitt. This is harder generally, because every step forward is the potential for new sights, sounds and potential social interactions. Because of this, I start first moving just up and down one less busy block so the dog is able to be successful. If they catch sight of something (in this case a human unloading product for a store) I add in “I see that too” as a verbal marker and feed them for pointing out the change in environment to me. This helps them relax and know it’s still ok to be aware and process the environment during training.
Here Bunny 🐰 does a great job moving between games and maintaining a loose leash. 💗⭐️
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like your dog to learn loose leash walking and better comfort in public!
The first game I play in public with board and train dogs who are here for loose leash walking is a simple attention pattern game. For most dogs, the moment they start to walk forward on a leash, they surge to the end because that is what they have done every day of their life. Even though I’ve already taught solid loose leash walking on the farm by this point, I know it’s better to start with something easier that creates focus and success. Here you see Bunny, who is four years old and hails from busy Chicago, learning to pay attention out in public on a leash. The game is simple: I toss a treat out and away from me and he goes to eat it. After he eats it he may continue to look around as long as he wants to or he can choose to re-orient to me and I will then toss another treat out into the environment, giving him a chance to visually process the scene. In this way he can gather information and practice staying connected to me not only physically by a leash but also mentally. This is a game he learned first in my home with no distractions so it is very familiar by this point. 🐰💗
#boardandtraindogtraining
#frenchbulldogsofinstagram
#wildcaninetraining
⭐️At home Dan Dan does not always come when called out of his yard and into his house. Some of that is his excitement about wildlife but another component is practicing stopping what you are doing and running to a person. Here I am “re-installing” the basic motor pattern before also teaching a solid, R+ leave-it to combine for the two skills usually needed for coming when called! ⭐️
⭐️One of Dan Dan’s foundation skills is the Up and Down game. Just putting his leash on raises his excitement so high that he needs help to calm down. Walking outside with him that excited would only be a recipe to practice old patterns of bark screaming!
This simple pattern helps him calm by offering both food (eating helps us calm down, don’t we all know!) and a rhythmic pattern which soothes his nervous system. Later we will use this outside with his triggers. ⭐️
#DanDan #boardandtrain #controlunleashed
Sheldon and Vinny 💫
Today Sheldon dropped off his brother Vinny for some ongoing training. Sheldon is very supportive and rode with him in the car and hiked with him when he first arrived in order to ensure a smooth transition.
Vinny will be continuing to work on loose leash walking, house training and general engagement in more complex environments.
Of course he’ll get lots of time to play with dogs, hike and hang out too! Welcome back, MCV!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
