News for Tuesday

PUPPY KINDERGARTEN IS TUESDAY AT RIVERBEND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COMMONS from 6:15-7:15. Please arrive at 6:05 with Max, Domino, 6' non-retractable "skulls" leash, TREATS (Joe knows), small bathroom mat, and three of the puppy's favorite toys. Max took the lead at the first class and was assisted as needed by Joe. I sat on the sidelines. Class started and ended on time and was pretty fun!

Has Max been encouraged to practice what he learned in SEVERAL daily short (5 minute) sessions with the puppy, both inside and outside? I left cooked hotdog treats in the fridge in a baggie. I made them by slicing 2 raw hot dogs on a paper plate (cut into 4 long strips, then cut strips into tiny pieces, totaling about 40 per hot dog. Cover and microwave for 5 minutes - they turn into chewy little nuggets. Let cool and separate; then store in fridge.)

When training the pup, the treat should be IN YOUR HAND and ready to give to the dog BEFORE you give the prompt, and AS SOON AS THE PUPPY COMPLIES WITH THE COMMAND.

They worked on name recognition (having the puppy turn and alert to Max/Joe who used his name...."Domino!" while holding a treat. Then puppy's head turns or ears lift he gets the treat and "Good boy.")

They worked on getting the puppy to accept being approached by a hand and held by the collar for attaching a leash or otherwise teaching the dog not to dodge the hand on the collar. The pup was approached in a friendly manner, the collar was grasped, the treat was IMMEDIATELY GIVEN, along with pleasantries and praise. This will teach the dog not to run away when you reach for him. Sounds like a good idea to me!

The last thing they worked on is having the pup NOT PULL on the leash. They used the name-calling then treat when they had the dog's attention. Then they used the collar grasp and gave the dog another treat and praise while attaching the leash. Then they let the puppy wander and whenever he got to the end of the leash, they moved towards him, called his name, and basically DID NOT ALLOW HIM TO PULL, BUT REWARDED (treat/praise) HIM FOR BEING ON A LOOSE LEASH AND ATTENTIVE to the dog-person.

Everything was repeated a few times with breaks in between and lots of sniffing and play. So please put this on the day and night shift boards as a reminder: Practice with Max and puppy for 5 minutes several times each shift. Make it fun.

The teacher also stressed attentiveness to pup's signals to go out, ignoring housebreaking fails, and using the crate ALL THE TIME when the puppy is not being watched and when he is alone in the house. Then when you get the puppy out of the crate, carry him outside - don't let his feet hit the floor. It's a hassle now but it produces a real good companion animal with few hassles
when you crate-train starting young.

And I promise a fenced back yard as soon as the ground thaws.

There are 3 handouts in the log at Max's house that should be read by all ISS. Thanks for your help with getting Max through this puppy-stuff. I truly believe that a good dog will be a wonderful stabilizer and source of unconditional, uncritical love. He needs it so much.