Training my own new dog, Laurel/LaLa, comes with it's own doubts. This is especially true when you have not had a new dog for 11 years. Luckily though, I am a dog trainer and do this with client dog's that I am getting to know all the time. I do have a basic format for my training, although it can change with individual dogs. On our first week, I did have some time (as I was on vacation for some of it) to do two hour days. So that is never training two hours in a row (except maybe in the future on walks, as the dog does not really know they are training and are jazzed up to be out). The longest times are behavioral or calming exercises which generally last for 15-30 minutes plus. Then obedience exercises may be sprinkled through the day from 5-15 minute sessions, depending on what we are working on. I include play training as obedience sessions as that is what I am working towards, even if we are not at the obedience part at first. Although, while LaLa likes to play, she is not really interested in balls, frisbees, or flirt poles towards that purpose at the moment. Maybe she will grow into that.
The first thing when you get a new dog (or puppy) into your home is to allow for decompression time. That does not mean no work, but it may mean particularly hard or confusing work for the dog as they get to know you. and you get to know them. So I usually start with calming exercises in the first few days (and luring exercises as appropriate).
Beginning training equipment usually consists of the following:
- 6' Leather leash or (optional) Transitional Leash
- Training collar or slip leash (in that case I am not using the leather leash)
- Long Line
- Place object (dog bed, cot, or thick folded blanket)
- Crate
- Treats (these are optionally used) depending on where the dog is in their training to date AND whether they will distract or help them
- Toys (these are also optional) depending on where the dog's toy drive and engagement is to date
My next steps are related to calming and obedience exercises together. I also get to work on multiple other important things in when doing these, as we can also in the calming exercises, as follows:
- Impulse control
- The beginnings of leash handling
- Teaching marker works (good=good job and keep going, no=that is not what I am looking for, and yes=good job all done and also can be a cue word for food or toy reward)
- Starting on the work for stationary positions
- Starting to get the dog accustomed to handling from their owner(s)
As for my new canine companion, LaLa, she has started the following on Week 1:
- Crate Training and calm in crate (She has more issues when we are here then when we aren't). She does not like to miss out on being the center of attention. However, it is necessary sometimes when I am training other dogs and/or people.
- Sit on the Dog inside and outside
- Three beginning steps of place (intro, send, and circle) outside and inside
- Long Place inside only
- Leash handling (also read as no pulling on the leash) outside and inside
- Long line relaxation walks (also related to leash handling) inside
- Lured sits and downs outside and inside
LaLa's environment for training right now is low to mid distractions. She has been exposed enough to be able to learn most things in mid level distractions, if that is an advantage. She has a lot of down, relaxation time, and activity time with us as well. It is important to see that all your dog's needs are met. A bored dog is an unhappy dog. Every dog is an individual though, and so their energy level differs in how active they want to be (or what activities they like). A dog bred for working, for instance, has entirely different activity needs than your average pet dog (generally speaking).
It's been a big first week for LaLa and us. LaLa is basically a very easy dog to live with, even while having a dog training business on site! That is not an easy thing for many dogs. Hopefully, this remains the case for her as time goes on. It's my job to set it up so it is as easy on her as possible.
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