Otter's Puppy Log

M

M.F.

Just read the whole thread from the part about the first puppy training session. Oh my word, when someone makes a judgement statement after just one meeting, it makes my blood boil. Well, I’d be delighted to hear: “What a darling pup! She’s simply gorgeous.” But I’m pretty sure that, even if “pessimistic” can be seen to be a positive characteristic in so much as for a human it means you’ll plan before you leap, as @snowbunny mentions, still, in this situation I’d also have felt she was judging prematurely. And where is the positive only training? Is it not also for the human?

I like to think that now I would be able to brush off such statements because, in this context of just one meeting, I’d say that her statement is really all about her and not about your pup. But I’d no doubt feel intimidated by someone I expected to be the expert, and I would probably feel crushed by such a statement. As far as I can see, her statement in this context had no obvious benefit. In fact, it caused you distress. Good reminder to train using positive only rewards!
 
Beanwood

Beanwood

Administrator
We didn't get to puppy school yesterday. Casper had an urgent vet appointment, and we wanted to keep an eye on him the next day. He is OK, just needed to change his medication to help him feel more comfortable and less anxious.

On the dog trainers advice, we need around 3 new experiences a week, so instead of our puppy class, we worked on a bit of underwhelming habituation to the sights and sounds of our local village. We sat in the back of the car with a coffee, back of the Volvo butting against the pavement on the High Street. Lots of people to-and fro-ing whilst I held one end of a veggie toothbrush chew Otter had pinched from the agriculture store. Occasionally people stopped for a natter, and to coo over Otter who was happy for them to say a quick hello and offer her a treat. She wasn't too happy when a chap with a beard came to say hello. I jokingly said I was charging a pound to say hello. He backed up and reached into his pocket! :rofl: I commented that she probably didn't like his beard, could he possibly shave and try again? He laughed good-humouredly and said he would be back beardless! I don't think Otter has met anyone with a beard yet. :rofl:.

One of the other behaviours we have been working on is making her bed as attractive as possible. It's great to be able to use this is a distraction, she is so keen on her little placemat or bed that given any opportunity she heads towards them! This worked well in the video below. I was happy for Stoli and Otter to interact gently, as it helps to both learn about each other without causing any stress. In the clip I gently recall Otter before she gets too excited, she doesn't see this as a negative, but uses this as a woohoo! Gotta get to my bed FAST! More on that later.....

Enjoy a Lazy Sunday Morning at Beanwood. :sun:

 
M

M.F.

I loved watching that. Very entertaining!

Do the other dogs drool when you give Otter treats? In our house, we’d have puddles of drool.
 
Beanwood

Beanwood

Administrator
Otter is 13 weeks old today. Tbh a dream to train, otherwise right now a royal pain in the ass. I really can't be training her 24/7! She is a bitey, excited, full of energy whirligig. To cap it all, what sleep? I am not a morning lark, whereas Otter is awake and lively at the crack of dawn...:tail: jeez will you give us a break? Talking of breaks.. anyone fancy a day or two at Beanwood? Complete with adorable chocolate puppy fatty tum tum? Thick gloves and a large bottle of gin can be provided. large garden enclosed paddock....only we won't be there! :rofl::rofl:

We have had a few things to deal with the last few days, Casper has been worrying us, I have been feeling rather rough, Benson has been winding up pup and vice versa. Stoli finds it hilarious to race around poke puppy then disappear with a poof! (like cats do...). With the bad weather right now it really feels a bit cosy. I am sat here with 2 cats (on dog beds) three dogs and a puppy in her crate asleep. Casper has his big beautiful head on my lap snoring gently so I am typing this at rather an uncomfortable angle.

So back to the pupster. We missed the weekend training puppy school but topped up on our habituation to novel sights, sounds, smells and people.
The critical socialisation window ends anywhere from 12 to 14 weeks, so we really need to be aware of this and build positive experiences into our weekly routine.

Otter is definitely getting more comfortable with people however she is never going to be that friendly goofy chocolate lab. That's fine by us, we just want to the dog in front of us to be totally comfortable in her environment. When the handbag warehouse brought a rather sheepish Benson back yesterday, Otter was happy to give a very shy hello to the smiling lady who brought him back. I was pleased with Otter, not so pleased with Benson!

Things we are working on....recall and place mat training, as well as the general behaviour stuff. Continuing to reinforce being happy in her crate, toileting etc...These behavours are coming along well, to the point when she nabs a toilet roll, or a plastic washin up brush (the latter thoughtfully provided by Benson) she can't wait to get back to her crate, literally skidding into her comfy den!:inlove: She adores her food! Oh my! She cannot keep her excitement in check at mealtimes, bouncing and twirling! Whilst the majority of her food is delivered in kongs/training, Otter does get three smallish meals a day. I don't ask for steadiness, (sit for example) but prefer to channel her enthusiasm with a quiet recall whistle. Pairing meals a really high value reinforcement with recall seems a better option than expectign her to sit and wait.

Loose lead walking....Bah! Not good will leave that one for now...:rofl: Seriously she is health hazard on a lead....

Recall fab! Enoying her racing back to us, lovely, lovely puppy recall atm. OK will probably morph into racing AWAY come adolescence!

Mat work is fun and she loves this training! In the video clip I am rewarding Otter returning to the mat. Click. Then the treat is thrown AWAY, not too far though. This will form the basis of a lot of our training, from sit stay, positioning and also directional work. Having Otter happy to work away from me will really help going forward, even if it is just a few feet. :)


 
Beanwood

Beanwood

Administrator
Socialisation trip and weigh for Otter. Now a robust 10.9kgs. She has practically doubled in size! The staff were lovely, and really understanding of little Otter. Gave her plenty of space, and offered treats from a distance, then moved a bit further away. Otter was happy to potter around and say "hello" to a HUGE 17-week old guide dog puppy! He was gorgeous and his puppy walker was just so nice. The only problem was other dog owners, complete with their nervous dogs....just walking straight at us leaving me literally nowhere to go, so irritating! Bah!
 
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