Three weeks in to the New Year seems like a good time to report on my New Year Dog Resolutions. I am happy to
report that I have made some progress! The need to write in the training journal has kept me on task. I have not trained everyday but I have trained more so far this year than I did last year!
To clarify, I mean more goal-oriented training. I targeted two key goals to begin with. Both of my dogs understand and follow all of the basic commands. There was no need to teach the commands, but I did find the need to review and practice ‘Leave It’, ‘Stay’, ‘Settle Down’, and ‘Off’.
My first goal was Demi’s counter surfing. The second is teaching Annie and Demi to settle down and stay when the doorbell rings. The doorbell issue is proving to be far easier to address then the counter surfing!
I think the first page of my training journal tells an interesting story. I discovered that Demi likes hot paprika, chili powder, and salt. I have decided that we need to add an owner stress level chart to this journal. Demi had zero stress while mine was a definite five! I ended the training session knowing I had to come up with plan B.
The second day was better. I discovered that a tin can balanced on cardboard saved the food after one trial. Since then I discovered that since her stealing is an “owner absent” issue. A mirror set up so that I can see the counter from my desk has been a very good training device.
Annie only displays her arm grabbing behavior when she is very excited. I discovered that doorbells cause this level of excitement for her. I started working on settle down three feet from the front door with the stay command. Both dogs mastered this quickly. I then added opening the door and looking outside. Demi needed practice but Annie was good. Then I rang the doorbell while they were told to stay. It took five repetitions for Annie and ten for Demi. Demi does not jump, but she just has to go get a toy to hold in her mouth. It worked well to give her the toy as she was told to stay. I can now ring the doorbell multiple times and they both hold the stay command. My next step is to have a ‘visitor’ walk up the sidewalk several times. Then I will add the actual ringing of the doorbell.
I am pleased with their progress. I have not trained them every day. I will say that just seeing the training journal lying by the computer has prompted several training sessions that would probably not have happened! If you haven’t tried it yet I highly recommend it. I must say I’m proud of how well the training journal turned out!