Week 5 Notes and Videos

 Housetraining:   From July 27th on to August 7th, we had no accidents at all.  The schedule remained consistent.

On approximately August 7th, Fudge's metabolism underwent a significant change, and he would pee about 3 to 5 times each time we let him out.   On about August 10-12, we had a poop accident three days in a row (while on free time inside with supervision).  Two of those times I caught him mid poop.   All those times were after he took the expected amount of poops per the schedule.  So I increased the times out again to get him out.  So a lot of time was spent on the housetraining from August 7th forward in just adhering to the schedule and getting him out.   Plus we watch him so we know what he does and if we can expect to be safe for a while.

Since then, we have had no accidents, but he has been strictly supervised inside.   On August 16th, his poop schedule is off, as he is producing significantly fewer poops.   This is nice, but since it is so early it is important to stay vigilant and see if that changes again as he is growing.   

So when he does not poop and can not be closely supervised, he goes back in the pen/crate.   Fudge has been known to bark when he has a bathroom need off schedule.  When he is making less pees and poops, it does not necessarily mean it will stay that way at this age.  

Obedience and Behavior: As he is growing, he is also getting a lot more active.  So in addition to training, he has a healthy play and free time schedule as well.   Fudge is training outside now, on walks as well, and we do a little play training.   The thing with play training is you are probably only going to get 5 minutes or less out of it.  On the other hand, it does burn off a little energy and has him think.  Fudge is looking like he is going to be a very active puppy and adolescent.  

We have been working a lot on reducing Fudge's demand barking.   Due to his growth, he can get quite excited and demanding for his food.   So we have been working on impulse control exercises for that.  I would not encourage the barking with him.   I never give him something he wants when he is barking (except in the housebreaking sense).   So, sitting and not barking before he gets out of his pen is being worked on.

Fudge is definitely in a bratty period at the moment, which has been a challenge to work through this last week.  He is still young though, and this is to be expected as he grows.  He is pushing boundaries now and not being quite as cooperative as before.   

Videos:

Long Place Outside (this was his first one) is mainly worked outside to increase impulse control:

NOTE:  I find it useful to practice the behavioral chill exercises after a walk, training, or play session.  At the moment, he has a hard time settling on his own even after quite a bit of activity.


Practicing Obedience Exercises Outside is also done to get him used to working around distractions.  He is still young so it can be difficult to get him going.  He likes the insects, the tree leaves, and the smells on the ground.   It is not that we don't want him to enjoy those, but about teaching him self-control when he is working with you.


Play outside with Fudge is not technically training.  You can see here that I am getting him accustomed to coming to me after he gets the toy.  Fudge is good at getting the toy, but he likes to play keep away when he gets the toy.  


Fudge likes to demand bark for things, especially eating.  Here I am working with him on some impulse control.  Fudge is not always bratty, but the last two days (8/16 & 8/17), he has been exceptionally active and bratty.   As puppies get older, some like to push boundaries and see what they can get away with.   Fudge does that.  


When we walk Fudge, we work on loose leash walking.  During the day, he has usually had some training, some play, and some free time.   This is important if you want your puppy to be at all controllable on a leash, because they are going to crave movement.  Fudge, for instance, is just learning he can leap in the air, and he seems to enjoy that.  So he must have free time to do these things that puppies want to do.  If he has none of that time, leash walking is going to be very difficult.




Training Fudge on his obedience Exercises does not always need to be to a goal.  This is me practicing a variety of exercises.   When I do this with his meals, I can usually get 15-20 minutes in, especially since he does not inhale his food. Otherwise, I do some exercises (especially any we were struggling with) individually for 5-minute sessions.   




This session is mostly working on the place reps that we struggled with previously.  It did end up being 10 minutes instead of 5 minutes.








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