I was so embarrassed at our last OccuPaws session because Banjo does not know the DOWN command. Therefore our focus this week, when not playing with the neighborhood puppy pack, has been the DOWN command. He relies on a food lure or visual cue, and generally jumps right back up.On our walk to the drug store we practiced a few times, good distractions, with moderate success. However, we had a breakthrough this evening. Banjo responded to a verbal DOWN command from our five year old goddaughter, unfortunately she is unable to attend our next OccuPaws class. Hopefully he will be ready without her.
Another area that we have been working on is separation. Banjo dislikes being by himself and follows us from room to room and is always under foot, literally. His attachment appears to be the basis for his whining when crated. We are sending him to solitary confinement more often, teaching the OUT command, and locking him out of rooms when he tries to follow. It's hard because he wants so bad to be with us, but it's much better for him in the long run to learn to accept being by himself.
“Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” - Ann Landers
1 comment:
You are kind in a "tough" spot with Banjo. I like it when pups follow me, because I know where they are... but if he is not quiet in a crate,,,sounds like a case for "Marlene, the Dog Whisperer". :)
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