Puppy Training Week 4: Adding Complexity and New Skills
Can you believe it's been one month since your puppy came home?
I can't! It feels like just yesterday we started training with Emma.
This week we focused on increasing the complexity of past skills and adding a few new skills to the mix.
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Topics this Week
Sit
Down
Attention
Come
Stay
Heel
Leave it (New)
Wait (New)
Have you heard of SniffSpot? Learn more in my weekly Pro Tips!
Building on Last Week’s Training
Sit & Down & Attention
This week: Continue the same training as last week but in different environments.
🔹 For example, I asked Emma to sit at puppy kindergarten, with visitors around, and in the vet’s office.
🔹 I would continue to REWARD with a high-value treat since it is a more distracting environment.
Come
This week: Continue the same training as last week.
🔹 I held high-value treats and said "come" from 10-20 feet away.
🔹 When Emma arrived to me, I MARK & REWARD.
"Come" is one of the essential cues they can learn for safety. (Think: running out into the street or about to eat something toxic for dogs).
Only call them if you're certain they will come, and ensure you are armed with treats before you call them.
Try sparingly throughout the day. You should throw a BIG PARTY 🎉 100% of the time your dog comes when called.
Stay
This week: Continue the same training as last week.
🔹 I placed a treat in my left hand and asked Emma to “sit.”
🔹 I held my right palm out toward her, took 4-5 steps backward, then slowly moved back toward her.
🔹 If she stayed in place, MARK & REWARD.
Heel
Last week: With your dog on a leash, walk around, changing directions rapidly. Reward after they kept up with you 3-4 strides.
This week:
🔹 I held treats and made large circles or movements around her in the living room.
🔹 I did not put Emma on a leash, and I did not call or lure her into following me.
🔹 When she caught up with me, MARK & REWARD.
🔹 I walked away and continued my random movements in the living room and rewarded Emma each time she chose to walk by me.
If they are not interested in you, go over and show them you have treats.
If they are not interested in your treats, increase the value of the treats. Salmon jerky is always a big hit with Ellie and Emma.
New This Week
Leave it
🔹 I grabbed high and low-value treats.
🔹 I placed the low-value treats on the floor and covered them with my hand.
🔹 Emma sniffed the treats and then looked up at me.
🔹 As soon as she looked away from the treats, MARK & REWARD with a high-value treat.
"Leave it" means they should never take it, so you want to pick up the low-value treats and save them for another time.
Wait
🔹 I stood facing Emma with my back to the gate.
🔹 I said “wait” in a low-pitch and calm tone.
🔹 I turned to open the gate a few inches with my body now slightly turned away from Emma.
🔹 After 1-2 seconds, I said our release word, “freedom,” and let Emma walk through the gate.
🔹 MARK & REWARD
You are standing between the gate and your puppy, so if they try and go too early, shift your body to block them.
You could also practice this with a door in your house before letting your dog outside to play.
Trick:
🔹 Review high five and spin
Emma and I worked on mastering high five and spin in areas with increased distractions. For example, while waiting at the vet’s office.
Socialization
I’m on the final stretch of Emma meeting 100 people in the first month. Socialization this week included:
Puppy party (puppy socialization hour)
Puppy Kindergarten
Vet visit
SniffSpot (safe outdoor space)
Friends came to the apartment
Car rides
Pro Tips
⭐️ Pro Tip #1: Check out SniffSpot!
We learned about an app called SniffSpot, which is basically AirBnB for backyard rentals.
This outdoor space was valuable to us because we live in an apartment building and must be careful about where Emma walks around before she is fully vaccinated.
We rented a fenced-in backyard which gave Emma a safe, private space (with a pool!) to play with Ellie.
⭐️ Pro Tip #2: Don’t forget the pizza party.
You know by now…puppies are hard work!
It’s time to pat yourself on the back for being a Star Puppy Parent. Grab your favorite meal or do something that makes you smile because your hard work should be rewarded!
And remember, all the love and attention you give them in training now will be repaid by years of happiness and shared adventures together.
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