FudgeYoungPuppyStandardPoodle

 Notes:    Housebreaking:   As you know, Fudge has been going through a growth spurt.  So he is at the same amount of times he needs to go out during the day.   This will probably continue until 6 months old.  The schedule has been working well with only a couple of accidents.   One because he had to go at a non scheduled time.  One because I thought he would be okay after 20 minutes of training starting the long place.   Spoiler alert, he wasn't.  So the new rule is out right after 15-20 minutes of training. Still on the same protocols as week 1.   His bladder is not mature enough yet to go onto the second phase (having him loose and running towards the door at each alarm that I have on my phone). Obedience Training and Chill Exercise Training:    Now all those exercises are advancing and working towards goals in inside distractions and while standing.   Some outside distraction work has...

 NOTES:   On housebreaking, Fudge is doing well in his age group.  However the protocols for the first week involve having him tethered to me, in his pen, or strictly supervised with dragging leash ONLY when he has done his business and for about 20 minutes tops.  Also outside in the penned in area he can run freely with leash dragging or not.  We have been able to work with a loose house training schedule. On training, he is doing well.  About over hour is made up of house training (watching to make sure he goes, adhering to the schedule).  Then his training and chill behavior exercises take up the rest of the time. Fudge is smart and learns well.  The down side is, Fudge is smart and can be relentless when he wants something.   So the behavioral chill exercises are very important (right now sit on the dog and long place). Fudge does well with both play training and food training.  He isn't a dog that will do something JUST to...

   Equipment Needed:   (optional unless outside, then long line needed or ecollar) 6' leash inside for dragging, training collar on dog (even though you won't really be using it, it could be a flat collar too), Flirt Pole. NOTE:  ANY TOYS USED IN PLAY TRAINING ARE ALWAYS JUST USED FOR PLAY TRAINING.  YOUR DOG CAN HAVE OTHER TOYS, BUT THIS TOY ONLY COMES OUT FOR PLAY TRAINING SESSIONS. If you want to know more about play training, check out this series on my business blog,  play training series .  This is more of a series in why it is valuable and things to avoid. STEP 1:   Typically, if your dog knows it, put your dog in a sit while you get the flirt pole. STEP 2:   When you are ready, use your release word "yes" and wiggle the toy at the end of the bungee on the pole like prey.   If your dog or puppy are not the most graceful, remember you want them to get the lure.   The object is NOT to keep the lure from them...

Relax for Examination: STEP 1:    The owner should be in a seated position somewhere comfortable. STEP 2:   Hold the puppy on your lap on their back. STEP 3:    Any time the puppy squirms or struggles, just hold them to your firmly. STEP 4:    When the puppy is calm ONLY (do not do this while mouthing ET, because we are teaching to be calm when being examined) start examining each part of her body (paws, in between toes, ears, belly as if for ticks, legs ***this can also show you any unusual growths or changes***, teeth, ET). Do this for about a fifteen minutes  while watching TV or relaxing in bed each day.

  Explanation and Goal:  This teaches your dog that you might very well be in a seated position when they are in a place (while the third step has started the idea that you may be moving around the room).  This is tricky for dogs as they usually want to be petted or cuddled when you take a seat, but it is important that owners have time to read, work, eat a meal, and so on without constantly needing to pay attention to their dog.  Usually this is eventually used for a half hour or an hour. It is like a crate without walls. It allows your dog to feel more included, but they are responsible for staying there until released. This command is valuable when you need to move them out of the way to do chores and/or you have company over.  Long place is technically the 4th step in teaching the place command:    First step is intro . Intro is just walking the dog and letting them pass over it. "Place" is said when all paws a...

Exercise: Sit on The Dog (do not confuse with the down exercise later on) Equipment needed: Metal Training Collar (for puppies a flat collar will due but be sure they can't slip their head out if it's too loose), 6' leather lead (for puppies inexpensive lead or clothes line lead), chair for handler to sit on that they aren't too worried about (IE an antique chair would not be a good idea, especially for a dog that might try to chew something other than their toy while you aren't watching, but a good metal folding chair will do), silence which means no verbal commands, praise, or corrections. Also no conversations of any sort with your dog. Objective and Goals: This exercise starts the leadership portion of dog (or puppy) training in a very non confrontational way. You are defining the space and activity that the dog will inhabit while you are engaged in other activities. It starts the process of showing the dog how to quiet themselves down during certain ti...

EXERCISE 1  Their Name Meaning Attention to You in Distractions: NOTE:  THE FIRST FOUR EXCERCISES CAN BE DONE IN A LURING SESSION BY ROTATING THEM.  IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH ONE, YOU CAN SEPERATE THAT OUT FOR ANOTHER SESSION LATER. STEP 1:   Your puppy should be on their 6' lead and a collar. STEP 2:    Be sure you are prepared with  kibble in your hand  BEFORE giving a command. STEP 3:   Say your puppy's name. STEP 4A:     Immediately upon your dog looking into your face (and not glancing immediately away), say your release word "yes" and deliver the food reward as you release them. STEP 4B:    If they do not look to you, first try calling their name again.   Give them a few seconds in between so you aren't just rapidly firing off their name.   If they are just really enamored of something other than you, you could try to gently tug on their leash and see if they will turn.   You could also try t...