TREAT me right, Mom!

Unbeknown to her, Elphie and I started our leash training this morning. I put treat pieces in a baggie last night so they were all ready this morning for our walk. It took her a moment to realize that I had treats but she caught on pretty quickly and began to behave herself. I still have to practice on when to take the treat out of the bag because she seems to anticipate my every move. We also have to work on her jumping up on my leg and begging for the treat. But despite the setbacks we experienced this morning I was pleasantly surprised with how well she behaved. Just because today’s session went well doesn’t mean it’ll go well all of the time, though, so I just have to remember that practice makes perfect and I need to stay consistent. I may even switch up the treats so she won’t get bored with what we have, although that has yet to happen.

I started the training almost immediately out of the door. I got her attention so she would focus on me and as she was walking next to me I dropped the treat on the ground in front of her and said “Yes! Good girl”. Every time she got distracted I called her name and made a clicking sound with my tongue. As soon as she was next to me again, paying me attention, I dropped the treat in front of her. We did this all the way out the door onto the sidewalk and she even stopped to do her business! She yanked me a couple of times because she got smell ADD, but when she did I called her name, clicked my tongue and changed directions. We’ve gotta work on her attention span and the rate that she gets distracted. She did OK when I told her to sit and there was a bunch of distractions around (such as dogs across the street and kids walking to school) but I could tell it was killing her by the way her ears were pulled to the back of her head. She’s still young and is amazed by what the world has to offer so you can’t blame the pup for being excited. Hell! I’d be excited too if I could tell by my nose that my Boxer friend was here before me. It would give us something to bond over. “So you like that rock too, eh Spike?” We’ll try again tonight and see if there’s any setbacks in the dark. Wish us luck!