We’ve survived another week!  The name of the game at this age seems to be “what does he have in his mouth now”?? With the gazillion chew toys around, why do they want to chew on wood, cardboard, shoes and every small object??

The week also included an unexpected trip out of town for a few days and Drac did wonderful with the pet sitters, including both dogs behaving well while we were gone. Good girl Savvy and baby Drac! The best thing about pet sitters is when they send pictures that calm your worries! Here are a few pictures. (Thanks Andrea and Jeannie!)

I can’t say I’m getting to as much training as I’d like … but that’s OK, really! It can be overwhelming to think about all that you should or can train your new puppy during these fun and formidable weeks. What I’m getting most from my training is seeing what he’s got! Well, what we both got! How focused is he? What’s his food and toy motivation? How well do we play together? What is he offering? I’m also learning about my abilities too! What have I forgotten about training puppies?  How is my timing and split second decisions? To paraphrase Bob Bailey (can’t find actual quote): You need to make a decision because the next one is right around the corner!

Here are some recent It’s Your Choice games to work on impulse control. Love this game as it carries through their whole life and is used in many other applications. Reviewing the videos, I could have been a little better with my mechanics and some of my decisions on his choices. I sometimes gave him a treat from my other hand when I want to deliver it from the food hand he was making a choice on. I also rewarded a few times when he was still coming into the treat hand – our anxiousness to reward our dogs! I’m very happy with the results though! By the 3rd session he’s already showing good thoughtfulness and making good choices. I also up my criteria more as the sessions go on, mainly that he can’t be coming in to steal a treat when I’m going in to get a treat.