Refresher training and a mini vacation for this guy!
Zelda Done ✔️ Drop it
I do have to add—please 🙏🏼 do not start with a plastic bag like you see me using in this video. Plastic bags are dangerous and can easily become a choking hazard. I’ve made a lot of progress with this puppy to get to this point. We started with less interesting, safer items to build the foundation of the behavior. But because she’s so fascinated by bags, I’ve gradually worked up to including them in our training.
When I’m working on “Drop It” or “Out,” I focus on building trust and creating a positive experience for the puppy. With this little one, I’ve introduced a cue—“Pup-Pup”—that grabs her attention and encourages her to come to me. She knows that when she does, she’ll get something even better than what’s in her mouth.
I never chase her or grab the item. That only turns it into a game and increases the chance she might swallow it before I can reach her. Instead, I offer a trade, showing her that I’m not here to “steal” her prize, but to give her something better in return.
At the same time, I’m capturing the behavior of her dropping the item on her own. Capturing means that as she naturally drops or spits out the item, I mark the moment by saying the word “Done.” This helps her associate the action with the cue, reinforcing the behavior in a positive, clear way.
This approach teaches her to trust me, come willingly, and stay calm. Over time, it builds a habit of cooperation and makes switching out items a smooth and stress-free process—for both of us.
Taking the Place Command to the Next Level! 🐾
Whoop 🙌🏻 Whoop 🙌🏻
Now that the puppy has a good understanding of the Place command, we’re moving on to the next step: Generalizing the command.
At this stage, I’m introducing small distractions to build their focus and patience. I’m starting with my own movement around the puppy while they try to stay in Place. Additionally, I’ve added a food dish out of sight, about 6 to 8 feet away from the place bed. As I move the food dish around, I’m watching to see if the puppy will be tempted to jump toward me to get the food or stay on the place bed.
With the raised criteria, I’m rewarding the puppy whenever they make an attempt to stay in Place or even put a paw on the bed. It’s all about balancing the challenge with their ability to stay focused.
This process is a mutual exchange—while I raise the criteria, I’m constantly assessing their comfort level. If they get confused or unsure, I adjust to help them stay on track. The goal is to help the puppy stay calm and focused, even when there are distractions like my movement and the food dish nearby.
Every puppy progresses at their own pace, and I’m here to guide them with patience and support every step of the way. 🐕💪
#LogicalK9 #PuppyTraining #PlaceCommand #DogTrainingProgress #PhoenixDogTraining #TrainingWithCare
Place command Generalization
Why I’m Passionate About Teaching the Place Command to Puppies 🐾
When I train a puppy, the Place command is one of the first things I work on. Why? Because it’s more than just getting them to stay in one spot. Here’s why I believe it’s so important:
1. Building Communication – Teaching Place helps a puppy understand directional cues early on. When I point or look toward a spot, I want them to sync with my intentions. It’s the start of a two-way understanding that builds trust and respect between us.
2. Impulse Control That Lasts – For me, Place is more than a command; it’s a way to set boundaries in a way that feels clear and reassuring for the puppy. Over time, they’ll learn to stay on their mat when people come over, avoiding that frantic greeting at the door. Imagine a calm, focused dog waiting to say hello – that’s the long-term goal.
3. Creating a Portable Comfort Zone – I see nervous puppies really thrive with Place. Taking their mat wherever they go means they have a familiar, safe spot in any setting. This is especially valuable for dogs that need a little extra confidence in new environments.
When I teach Place, I’m not just working on a command—I’m building a foundation that helps puppies grow into calm, confident dogs. It’s one of the ways I approach training a little differently, and I truly believe it makes a world of difference for the dogs I work with.
#LogicalK9 #PhoenixDogTraining #PlaceCommand #PuppyTraining #ImpulseControl #ConfidentDogs #DogTrainingTips #PhoenixPuppies #PortableComfort #BuildTheBond #DogTraining
Puppy 🐶 Basics Place Command
🐾 Puppy Basics Update! 🐾. Today’s lesson was all about reinforcing the Place command with Zelda, and I’m so proud of her progress! Now that she understands her spot, I started adding some real-life distractions to the mix. Not only did Zelda stay on her place bed, but she did it with a calm focus I couldn’t be prouder of.We even had a drywall guy here, walking around and patching up holes. Zelda was SO excited to see a new face, but her attention stayed on me (and the goods…aka her food! 😂). Check out her little “hop” of excitement at the end of the video—it’s the cutest reward for all her hard work! 😓. #PuppyTraining #PlaceCommand #ProudTrainer
🐾 Teaching Crate Manners & Impulse Control in Puppies 🐾
Today, I’m working with a young puppy on crate manners, a skill that goes beyond just crate time. Crate manners teach puppies to be calm and keep all four paws on the ground when interacting with people, which builds essential impulse control.
Why does this matter? Puppies naturally want our attention and often think that jumping up will get it. By working on crate manners—like staying calm and grounded—they learn that patience is what earns them the attention they’re looking for.
Here’s why crate manners are so valuable:
🌟 They reduce jumping, which keeps your puppy from developing bad habits.
🌟 They teach patience and self-control, helping puppies manage their impulses.
🌟 They create a positive association with the crate, making it a safe and comfortable space.
I love working on these foundational skills because they set puppies up for success in life, whether interacting with people, other dogs, or navigating busy environments. Crate manners are just one step toward raising a balanced, well-mannered dog.
I finally gave in and stopped ignoring him. Since he can’t find his green toy, he opted for the next best thing. A pencil ✏️. Whatever it takes to engage.
Yes, I finally got off my ass and found his green toy! It was under the couch 🛋️. Tucked as far as it could go by the wall.
My coffee ☕️ is now cold 🥶
Logical K9, LLC Logical Canine
#logicalk9phoenix
Oh my god this is by far the funniest 🤣 video I have recorded. This puppy is Hilarious! I got her in for boarding/training yesterday. So I decided to tire her out before bedtime by doing some Bonding, Training, Luring, blah blah blah. It’s safe to say it did not go well for me! Puppy 🐶 1 me Zero. lol 😂
In the end I feel like I won, as I did dust off my phn and continued training. I finally got her on the “Place” and rewarded her with her yummy 😋 treats! I’m sure in her eyes 👀 she won as she got lots of treats. Soooooo, it’s subjective! lol 😂
Confidence Building
Building Confidence in New Places with New Faces!
First lesson with this guy. He’s so sweet and so stressed.
I’ll keep you updated on his future progress.
At Logical K9, we specialize in helping dogs feel comfortable and confident in new environments and around new people. Our targeted training sessions ensure your dog can handle any situation with ease.
Contact us to learn more about our confidence-building programs!
www.logicalk9.net
Kelso working on his fast 💨 drop to down.