Mannerly Mutts Dog Training Blog - Mannerly Mutts Certified NADOI Dog Trainer in York Maine

Shana's Boston Training Week 2 Ended (Part 2 of Series)

5/28/2023

Have I spoiled Shana? In some ways, I have definitely spoiled Shana. Shana is a hard worker and a good dog, but some of that spoiling is what holds her back now from being relaxed in a city like Boston. I had really never thought we would take a Boston trip in Shana's lifetime. The fall vacation is far enough away, that all I need to do is prepare her.

Shana's Family Boston Vacation and Training Plan (Part 1 of Series)

5/19/2023

On Sundays, I am going to try to blog and post (on our Facebook page) Shana's training progress. Normally I am training Shana because:

Shana comes from working lines, and her personality is that of a dog that wants to be busy.
Because it is fun.
To have Shana feel as comfortable as possible when there are strange dogs in the house. If you click on "training journal" in the blog categories on the right, you can see some history about Shana, who is now 10 years old and acts like a 5 year old!

This fall though, we are taking a trip to Boston, and staying in a very fun dog friendly hotel across from Fenway Park. Shana has only been to a city a few times in her life. City distractions are very different than the distractions she sees in a small town (and some of those still can scare her or put her on defense drive). So now I have a specific goal that I am training for.

Shana's Training Position Routine's

12/13/2022

Shana and I try to do positions and/or tricks a few times a week. These positions are using food, and some of the positions or tricks are still really in the beginning stages. What tricks are you trying with your dogs?

Ripping Off The Band-Aid or How Things Go Wrong Fast

9/15/2021

Shana has 40 stitches, four serious wounds, and 3 drains after surgery. She also has three types of antibiotics and one pain pill.

This is going to begin a series as best as I can. I don't know how many parts are going to be to it, but I am going to continue a Shana journal from now on. I have attempted this before, and it has not been consistent. This, however, is an topic most dog owners and dog trainers have not had the opportunity to cover. Although, I can later share some blogs that do go over interesting things in a dog/owner or dog/trainer relationship over time.

CLICK ON THIS FOR PAST SHANA POSTS

NOTE1: WE KEEP TRACK OF INCIDENTS HERE OF ALL SORTS. WE HAVE ONCE EVER HAD DOG SERIOUSLY HAVE AN INTENT TO KILL, AS I CONSIDER THIS. APPROPRIATE STEPS WERE PUT IN PLACE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT PREVIOUS INTERACTION.

Now the band-Aid is ripping off. Trigger warnings may abound if you have ever been in a dire emergency situation.

NOTE2: THIS IS NOT HOW TO GO ABOUT A DIRE EMERGENCY DOG FIGHT SITUATION. DO NOT USE THIS AS A HOW TO. THIS IS NOT A HOW TOO, BUT A MOMENT IN TIME OF DESPERATION.

Wednesday September 8th 2021: The day started out (7:30 am) normal though there have been some things going on here as in everyday life. Nothing too abnormal though...

Shana Training Log March 1st to March 31st

3/31/2020

Sunday March 1st 2020:

DAY OFF

Monday March 2nd 2020 (hard day for Shana as her arch nemesis is here):

First long down until 10 minutes in a row Monday, March 2⋅9:00 – 9:15am---no equipment---in master bedroom while Shana knows Lucy is on the dog side (15 min)
Place no equipment until 30 minutes Monday, March 2⋅9:30 – 10:10am---in master bedroom (40 min)
Second long down until 10 minutes in a row Monday, March 2⋅11:00 – 11:15am---no equipment---in masterbedroom (15 min)
3rd long ten minute down in a row but in kitchen while Lucy is in the mudroom which she can both smell and hear---no equipment (20 minutes)
Short tug session Monday, March 2⋅11:35 – 11:50am---no equipment---in living room next to kitchen (15 minutes)
ACTIVITY NOT TRAINING PER SAY Robert brought out to play frisbee and ball games with her brothers (1 hour)
4th long 10 minute in a row down later in the evening (20 minutes)

Shana Training Log 1/20/2020 to 2/29/2020

3/1/2020

Shana training at the local High School one Spring.

I have a lot of updating to Shana's training log. Unfortunately, it is going to be both random and incomplete, as I have not bee so disciplined lately. However, I have been training at least six out of every seven days, even if I did not notate what they were. I am seeing a pattern that I want to employ, but I haven't really started adhering to it yet. I am going to try for a more focused plan in March 2020. In the meantime here is what has (incompletely) happened with Shana (I log onto my google calendar, and then transfer to here):

Shana Training Blog Week 2 in 2020

1/19/2020

Monday 1/13/2020:

(2 hours) Half hour place (30 minutes in a row) when Lucy came in other side for daycare. Did not have ecollar or leash on her. It is apparently more challenging for her when her nemesis is in the house. Next Monday, I am going to start her with 15 minute places while Lucy is on the other side in the dog room (and Shana always knows she is here when she comes).
(15 minutes) Tug used for letting out to the bathroom and training in living room while Lucy in mudroom. Comes came in a crooked or like a fuss, and sits did turn into downs sometimes. No real reaction to Lucy except at the end running up to confirm she was there (no barking et). Electronic collar on, no barking at Lucy when she went out but she was hesitant to do her business---I had to send her back out four or five times before she would go (Lucy safely in room behind sliding glass door of course)
(15 minutes) Tug toy used (to go past and ignore before playing) fuss, come, touch, place, and out before bed.

Shana Weekly Training to 1/12/2020

1/13/2020

Monday 1/6/2020:

(27 minutes) Down stays 3 minutes each and accomplished 4 in a row (inside ecollar on but not used daycare here after vacation.and Lucy part of that daycare)--'missed 4th on first of them when she was in upstairs foyer
(20 minutes)Fetching laundry----haven't done it in a couple of weeks so much barking in the beginning but doing well harder at the end and especially bringing Robert's into his room with Ziggy barking
(15 minutes) 10 minute down completed while we were eating dinner in the kitchen and also after Shana had barked at Ziggy for barking at her
(15 minutes) Tug toy training in bedroom fuss come out stay hold--- only a couple mistakes with the out and one time tried to leave the stay early to get the tug

Week 16 Shana Training Journal 7/1/2019-7/7/2019

7/8/2019

Week 16 Day 1 July 1 Monday:

Mudge (new) Bella (old friend not seen in awhile) Lucy (nemesis) Cujo (bff) Bandit (bff) and Brody (bff)

Down stay while eating lunch 30 minutes (notes: frisbee--shana's favorite---was near pen, she stuck the down stay but barked if anyone walked near the frisbee like bella or mudge)
Activity frisbee a 10 minute session and then a five minute session (hot out).
Down stay for 30 minutes again (not sure who was around)

RESULTS: WHO KNOWS TOOK NO NOTES. MAKES ME THINK THAT HER DOWN STAYS WERE PRETTY ON POINT THOUGH, OR I COULD HAVE MISSED SOME THINGS.

Week 16 Day 2 July 2 Tuesday:
Mudge (new) Bella (old friend not seen in awhile) Sadie 4 (newish) Reggie (bff) Mood: did not write down, but I believe she was in a good relaxed mood today, though most likely stressed about the new dogs at the same time.

Send between two places in yard a fair distance apart (pallet and picnic table) 10 minutes (NEW DOGGIES ON PORCH)

RESULTS: HER SEND TO PICNIC TABLE WAS BETTER THAN HER SEND TO PALLET. THE STAYS THERE WERE PERFECT THOUGH I DID NOT DO THEM FOR LONG.

Week 16 Day 3 July 3 Wednesday:
Mudge (new), Sadie the 4th (newish), Bella (old friend not seen in awhile), and Stella (friend gone for the winter getting reaquainted with)

Couch to 5k 25 minutes (made no notes)

Week 16 Day 4 July 4 Thursday:
Mudge (new) Sadie the 4th (newish) Bella (old friend not seen in awhile)

Day off for Shana, plus I think I was feeling a little under the weather or that may have been later on

Week 16 Day 5 July 5 Friday:
Mudge (new) Sadie the 4th (new), Bella (old friend not seen in awhile) Cujo (bff) Bandit (bff)

Day off for Shana, and I was still feeling sick

Week 16 Day 6 July 6 Saturday:
Mudge (new) Bella (old friend not seen in awhile last day)

Day off for Shana, and I was still feeling crappish

Week 16 Day 7 July 7 Sunday:
Mudge (new) and Gator (old friend not seen since last summer)

couch to 5 k 25 minutes (got startled by one dog along the way ----both of us Shana lunged---dog ran towards invisible fence boundary and took us both by surprise)
Continuation of walk after couch to 5 k 1 hour 30 minutes
Quiet in crate with Gator and Mudge in the room with me 1 hour (wasn't until 38 minutes that I got first 5 minutes in a row quiet then took the rest of the time to get the other three)
Other activity: got bath from Robert which she was none to pleased about

RESULTS: SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE AND DOGS TODAY. EXCEPT FOR THE ONE THAT STARTLED, SHANA MOSTLY IGNORED. THERE WAS ONE CHIHUAHUA ABOUT TO BARK AT SHANA THAT ALMOST GOT HER GOING BUT SHE LISTENED. WE GOT AN ICE CREAM IN THE MIDDLE AND SHARED. SHANA DID SEEM TIRED HALF WAY THROUGH THE WALK, AND WHILE SHE WAS ENJOYING IT, I KNOW SHE WAS STRESSED. EQUIPMENT: ECOLLAR, MUZZLE, LEATHER FLAT COLLAR, LEATHER CONVERTIBLE SIX FOOT LEASH, FOOD AND ICE CREAM WE ALSO MET FIVE OR SIX HUMANS THAT I HAD SHANA DO A TRICK FOR, THEN TREAT, SO THEY COULD THEN PET HER. QUIET IN THE CRATE LOOKS BAD, BUT WE WERE IN ANOTHER ROOM, CLOSE QUARTERS, AND SHE HAD NO EQUIPMENT ON. SHE WAS DEFINITELY WORRIED ABOUT GATOR, THOUGH THEY ALWAYS GO BACK TO BEING GOOD FRIENDS. SHE USUALLY DOES NOT WARM UP OR BECOME WELCOMING ON THE FIRST DAY WHEN SO MUCH TIME GOES BY. YOU CAN TELL SHE KNOWS HE IS FAMILIAR THOUGH. ALSO MUDGE STARTED BARKING AT SHANA, WHICH IS HER TRIGGER. WHEN NO ONE BARKS AT HER NOW OR CHARGES HER (I TRY TO CONTROL THE ENVIRONMENT BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT DOG YOU ARE GOING TO RUN INTO OFF LEASH IN PUBLIC) IS WHEN SHE GETS UPSET NOW. OTHERWISE, SHE DOES A GOOD JOB (AS COMPARED TO HER PAST) KEEPING IT TOGETHER AND TRUSTING ME TO KEEP THINGS SAFE.

Week 15 Shana's Training Journal 6/24/2019-6/30/2019

6/30/2019

Shana helping me gather wood one day. Not a great shot but a good memory.

Week 15 Day 1 6/24/2019 Monday:
Cujo (very good friend), Bandit (very good friend), Stella (friend), Brody (very good friend), and Lucy (nemesis) are here today. Shana woke up raring to go and very vocal this morning. She knew when Lucy got here, but has been in very good mood (though you can still tell she is stressed when Lucy is here)

Couch to 5k with me through the neighborhood 22 minutes
Frisbee and place while getting frisbee 3 minute place and 5 minute frisbee action with long throws and temp rising

RESULTS: Did really well allowing me to do couch to 5 k with her. I did have rabbit treats on board. I also used her muzzle and leash (had ecollar on but had no need to use it). We passed about four small dogs. Two were on the loose, and one of those tried to approach us. The other was a new neighborhood dog tethered but barking in their yard. One was the beagle named, Daisy, who it looks like Shana is familiar with now. Then the two possible grayish cairn terriers were the ones that were loose. Owner came to get them. Shana did get a little tense when she saw that one was trying to come up to us. She did come back into line though. She seemed to thoroughly enjoy the walk and Frisbee play. Plenty of chipmunks and birds landing in front of us when walking. Shana was definitely interested in chasing but she kept the leash loose. Overall in the walk there were very few times she put any sort of pressure on the leash. She was just on her flat leather collar. I did bring my stick to ward off or back off any dogs that might run up to us. Shana did a very good job.

Week 15 Day 2 6/25/2019 Tuesday:
Greta (new), Sadie the 4th (new), and Reggie BFF here
Stay in front foyer until released, then fetch pink ball out side, return, drop and back to foyer stay reps. 30 minutes
RESULTS: I did not write anything down, which probably means she did very well. I should have written how many times she was unsuccessful at this, but neglected too. I did not write down her mood either, but I am thinking she was probably happy and relaxed because of that.

Week 15 Day 3 6/26/2019 Wednesday:

Greta (new), Sadie the 4th (new), and no other friends or daycare here. Equipment none on, and was in good mood. She did snip at her brother, Tommy, this morning (no biggy just being a jerk).
Out of sight stays for 5 minutes. First three were perfect, broke 4th and 5th rep when I went into mudroom with new dog, Sadie the 4th. 1 hour of these until I got the four in a row that I wanted.
Activity: Frisbee done in two sessions of one 10 minutes and one 15 minutes (warm out so shorter sessions). Half and hour of relaxation with Brothers in the shade in between. 55 minutes
RESULTS: GOOD FOR OUT OF SIGHT STAYS AS NO EQUIPMENT WAS ON. GETTING FOUR IN A ROW OF FIVE MINUTES IS CHALLENGING. OVERALL GOOD REACTION TO TWO STRANGE DOGS BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR. SHE WAS NOT THAT CONCERNED ABOUT THAT AT ALL.

Week 15 Day 4 6/27/2019 Thursday:
Greta (newish), Sadie the 4th (new), Sadie the 2nd (BFF), Louie (good friend), and Reggie (BFF)
Day off, I just let her enjoy her friends. If I remember correctly (did not write it down), I think she was pretty tired on this day, and did not really play with her friends. Not sure though.

Week 15 Day 5 6/28/2019 Friday:

Mudge (brand spanking new dog), Bandit (bff), Boone (bff), and Cujo (bff)
Day off again, she still seemed tired and worn. It has been stressful with the influx of new dogs to train for her.
Week 15 Day 6 6/29/2019 Saturday:
Bike ride with new bike attachment for Shana. Rough start checking it out. 30 minutes

Week 15 Day 7 6/30/2019 Sunday:
Couch to 5k with Shana (did not mark down any problems) 25 minutes