AvaRotterman

NEW NOTES FOR THIS WEEK: NOTE 1:   I WOULD STILL DO SIT ON THE DOG.  I MAY WANT TO SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR AVA TO SETTLE ON SHORT SANDS ON OUR POSSIBLE NEXT OR 6TH LESSON. NOTE 2:  EVERYTHING (EXCEPT MAYBE PLACE BUT WE MAY DO THAT LATER) CAN BE DONE ON WALKS NOW.   YOU WANT THE WALK TO BE CHALLENGING BUT NOT OVERLY CHALLENGING.   SOMETIMES I WILL GO TO A DOG PARK NOT TO WORK IN THE PARK BUT TO WORK OUTSIDE OF THE FENCED AREA FOR INSTANCE.  YOU CAN USUALLY CATCH DOGS AT OGUNQUIT DOG PARK.   THERE IS ONE IN YORK NOW, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN THERE YET. NOTE 3:  SINCE THE "LET'S GO" COMMAND IS NEW, I WOULD CONCENTRATE IN THE YARD (OR IN THE HOUSE) WITH HER ON LONG LINE.  DON'T TAKE THE LONG LINE OFF, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE HER A TUG CORRECTION IF SHE DOES NOT WALK TOWARDS YOU. NOTE 4:  NOW THERE WILL BE TIME GOALS TO MEET FOR WORKING OUTSIDE AND ON WALKS WITH THE COMMANDS USED. Behavioral Calming Exercises (rem...

  Explanation and goal of command:  Let’s go simply means move towards you. The goal is to have your dog move towards you when you say the command. This can be used for different purposes such as the following: You want your dog to move towards you and away from something else. For instance, if your dog was annoying another dog, this is a good way to get them to instead move towards you.  If your dog goes to the end of the leash, this is also a good command to train your dog to leave the leash loose.  Equipment needed: Long Line or 6’ Leash, Training Collar, Food Reward (if that is what we are working with)  STEP 1:  You will be holding the end of the long leash for this one.  STEP 2:   In the opposite hand, you will want to be holding the food reward. The food should be preloaded in your hand before giving the command.  STEP 3:   Let your puppy or dog get distracted. If they go to the end of the ...

NEW NOTES: NOTE 1:  WORK WITH DISTRACTIONS LIKE YOUTUBE AUDIO RECORDINGS, POSSIBLY OUTSIDE IN YOUR YARD, IF YOU HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL MEETING THE GOAL  INSIDE. DOG BARKING AUDIO  KITCHEN NOISE AUDIO  DOOR KNOCKING AUDIO VEHICLE NOISES AUDIO DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING AUDIO NOTE 2:  IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE STAY EXERCISES AND DISTRACTIONS, YOU CAN REDUCE THE TIME AND THEN BUILD IT UP AGAIN.  PROBLEMS USUALLY INDICATE THAT YOU HAVE INCREASED THE TIME (OR DISTANCE) TO QUICKLY. NOTE 3:  YOU CAN USE ATTENTION TO NAME WITH HEELING AND POSSIBLY SIT (IF YOU ARE LOSING YOUR DOG'S ATTENTION).  FOR NOW, IT IS JUST A LOOK INTO YOUR EYES, NOT A PROLONGED LOOK INTO YOUR EYES BEYOND ONE SECOND. Homework Schedule: Calming Exercises (NOTE:  ROTATE "SIT ON THE DOG" AND "LONG PLACE" ON ALTERNATE DAYS) : (CHANGE SMALL) Sit on the Dog   30 + minutes Goal:  To get your dog to lay down on their own steam in five minutes or under. Week 3 Change:...

  Equipment Needed:  6' Leash, Training Collar (or slip leash can be used instead for both)    Explanation and Goal of Exercise:  Great for keeping a dog stationary when doing chores around the house.  Stationing a dog in any human or canine social environment when needed.  To keep the dog from greeting too enthusiastically by learning to wait and greet when allowed.  There are many other uses for this exercise.    The dog is required to perform the position of the command and stay there until the release word is given. This is also the beginning of the dog understanding that when you move, the rules of stay remain the same. The handler/owner will be increasing the duration first, adding in distractions, and finally adding distance from the dog to this exercise.   NOTE: AS DISTRACTIONS AND DISTANCE ARE ADDED TO THE EXERCISE, IT IS ENTIRELY PROBABLE THAT YOU WILL NEED TO START AT A SHORTER TIME THAN BEFO...

  Equipment Needed: 6’ leash, training collar, food rewards (a slip leash can replace both the 6’ leash and training collar if you prefer).  Explanation and Goal of Exercise:  There are times when you want to get your dog’s or puppy’s attention and focus.  This exercise is the start of your dog looking at you when their name is called. This is useful for heeling, recall, and let’s go.  STEP 1:   Be sure you are prepared with kibble or other appropriate food reward in your hand BEFORE giving a command.  STEP 2:  Say your dog’s or puppy's name.  STEP 3A:    Immediately upon your dog or puppy looking into your face (and not glancing immediately away), say your release word "yes" and deliver the food reward as you release them.  STEP 3B:   If they do not look to you, first try calling their name again after a full 10 seconds has passed so you aren't just rapidly firing off their name. If they are just ...

  Equipment Needed:   6’ Leash, Training Collar, OR a Slip Lead   Explanation and Goal of Exercise:  The goal of heeling is to have your dog in an exact position for ease of movement in a busy city, or when you are bringing in the groceries, or just so you don't trip over your dog. Heeling also keeps your dog focused on you rather than jumping on an interesting human or dog OR becoming snarky with a passing stranger or strange dog.      Also teaches the owner the concept of slack leash = more control. So that the opposition reflex of a taunt reach does not kick in OR the formula for aggression that restraint + frustration = aggression. We are teaching the dog to decide correctly and be focused on their "job". A dog's job can be as simple as allowing for a stress-free walk in the city.     Due to the configuration of training collars and the need to pick a side, generally heeling is on the left-hand side of the handler, dog is ideally a foot...