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Training Within a Fenced Yard

michaeljcripps Uncategorized 0 Comment

When Bailey came to live with us, we had an old fence that was on it’s last days.  Bailey stayed within its confines on a heavy metal run so he could walk around the yard.  Sometimes he was allowed to run in the yard but he was never easy to catch.  Eventually the old fence had to come down and Bailey would longingly looked at open space.  His lead was super strong so we didn’t worry that there would be an escape….. until the day his collar broke.  It took us 1 ½ hours to capture him and let’s say catching a dog that has a mind of his own and is collarless while darting across busy streets isn’t easy.  If there was a positive side to this, it was that we met many neighbors!  It was such a cold damp day and since we ran coatless, we both got sick but were relieved that Bailey was safe.

The next weekend, I was still sick and was looking forward to a day to recover.  With coffee brewing, I went to let the dog into the closed garage area before hooking him on his lead then the unthinkable happened.  I looked up and the side door had blown open due to strong winds and Bailey was gone! Again!!     This time I had a good idea where he would run and run he did for ½ hour.  Thankfully there were lots of dogs that were somehow alerted to a canine on the loose, a network of sorts like the Secret Life of Pets move, and they all were barking at their windows probably saying run for it!!  Bailey ran across a busy street then did an about face and ran back towards the barking.  He ran up the steps of the home of one barking dog and the lady grabbed his collar. Phew! Back home we went.

The next day I got a quote on a fence and within a few weeks it was in place.

 

Training Tips for the Backyard/Fenced Area

  • Fences keep dogs safe from external harm but dogs won’t necessarily obey within the fenced area (mine doesn’t)
  • If your dog does not come, then he is probably not ready yet to handle freedom
  • Always use a positive tone and reward generously with treats
  • If your dog is struggling to obey, look for a way to bring the moment to a successful end so the training experience is always positive.  One way to do this is to ask your dog to do something you know they can do and reward them
  • Save off leash play time for your dog to run with other dogs so that he expends a lot of energy

Bailey and his friend Grace

The below link explains how the long leash works.  It is that little reminder to your dog that you are still in the area and they need to respond to your call and make sure you have lot’s of treats!

https://www.thelabradorsite.com/using-a-training-lead-on-your-labrador/

Bailey’s People Get Help!

michaeljcripps Puppy Training 101, Uncategorized , 0 Comment

Bailey’s mischievous ways are part cute and part trouble.  Since Bailey would not come when called, we needed help to figure out how to get over this training hurdle.  After looking for a class that would accomplish this, we realized that we needed one on one help with Bailey.  A co-worker highly recommended Jessica who owns a business called The Capable Canine so we contacted Jessica and with Bailey in tow, went for a training consult.  Below is a link so you can learn more about Jessica and her amazing work!

About Jessica Robichaud

Jessica listened to our stories about Bailey and gave us hope that we could train our pup.  One thing that Jessica saw was that Bailey was not food motivated like the majority of dogs.  She recommended that we consider getting some high quality treats when training Bailey and to keep trying until we found some.  She gave us a list of some good ones to try such as Stella And Chewy’s and Happy Howies treats.  Another thing we need to do which requires observation on our part is when Bailey is not doing something that is wrong to catch him in his good moment and reward him.  For example, if he is sitting next to Ernie our cat and not harassing him, we click and reward him with praise and a treat. 

Another thing that Jessica suggested was taking away his food bowl and giving him a Kong feeder.  This gave Bailey a job to do which provides mental stimulation.  I was worried he wouldn’t get enough to eat but he managed just fine.  See the Youtube link below to watch Bailey figure out his Kong Feeder.  We learned much from that precious consult and later went on to join a class.  Jessica is a highly skilled dog trainer and we gladly recommend her!

 

Bailey and Lessons Learned

michaeljcripps Puppy Training 101, Uncategorized 0 Comment

Well if I told you all of the things that Bailey has enjoyed chewing on in our house, you might say, hasn’t she learned her lesson yet and doesn’t she ever watch him?  Well I guess the answer must be yes and no to both questions!  Bailey is as much a part of our home as say our cat Ernie. They both get to hang out together in the kitchen and if someone leaves a door open, Bailey ventures to other rooms.  Ernie has been with our family for almost eleven years and Bailey,the new kid on the block, loves to pester Ernie.  Ernie takes it in stride most of the time.  In this picture, he doesn’t seem to care about anything else going on around him. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So a few things that Bailey has eaten…

  • A stretchy footie sock
  • Corner of my hearth rug
  • My favorite pillow edges, he likes tags and binding edges
  • The cushion cover and blanket on the coach in my favorite quiet room
  • A big chunk out of my favorite sheets
  • Walls, molding, and window casings
  • Tags off,well, any he can find
  • His favorite stuffies

                                                                        

 

So you might be asking, what does she do about this behavior

  • Takes him to puppy daycare
  • Go to dog parks
  • Take him on walks
  • Lots of attention

And of course….more training

So we took Bailey to basic obedience classes once he turned one years old.  He was the ham of the class and loved all of his new friends immediately.  He showed off his already learned skills to the amazement of the class:

  • Walk without pulling and the standard heal command
  • See his dog friends but not insist on playing
  • Jump over barriers
  • Sit, stand, paw, and down when asked
  • Walk by his friends without pulling

He was a STAR student.  He was just the picture of obedience until the last day, the day he was to graduate.  The last test was to “Come When Called”.  The instructor would take the leash of each dog, one by one, and the dog would be allowed to sniff a most favorite treat, the dog owner was to go down one path and then another path then call their dog by name to come and give them the treat.  We waited patiently for our turn.  It looked easy… every dog ran to their owner… well you guessed it! until it was our turn!  I called Bailey, they let go of the leash and well Bailey just pranced off to “smell the roses”.  I said to the trainer, see, this is what I have been trying to explain!  She said well, that’s a Chow for you.  He is very independent!  She did however give him a certificate of graduation!!  We went home knowing what we had known all along, this wasn’t going to be easy!!

 

 

 

 

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