15 weeks

[Oliver]

So Oliver just recently celebrated his first Christmas! He didn't really understand why wrapping paper was scattered all around our house so early in the morning, but definitely took advantage of the mess! Hopping all around our house with all of his various Christmas toys surrounding him. He definitely had a good Christmas :)

He has gained 3.6lbs. since last week and now weighs 30.8 lbs at 15 weeks! What a big boy!

We haven't been working on tricks like ROLL OVER much this week due to our hectic schedule, but we are still working on STAY using different distractions to entice him to move out of position. When he was first learning a 30 second stay, I would simply back up a few feet in our living room and then call him. Now, he will stay in position for really as long as I tell him to (we practice this simple STAY whenever we go potty- he waits for me to tell him it's okay for him to go out the open door). Now, I'm doing the same thing in the living room- only I dance all around with my arms and legs flailing, and I make fun little noises and basically act like I'm insane. It's really a sight to see, I'm sure. ;) Anyway, the first time Oliver saw this, he, OF COURSE ran up to me to start playing! So, I put him back in place and told him to STAY again...he's getting pretty good now, although he looks REALLY confused as to why I'm having a dance party all by myself. But, when we're finished with our "lessons" he definitely joins in on the fun :)

He has been awesome at staying when there is a food treat in front of him or near him, so last night, for the first time, I put those treats on his paws. He stared at his paws waiting for me to excitedly say, "OK!" and then he finally gobbled them up. So proud of him! This little pup has such gumption! I really need to take a video of all of his little tricks!

I realize that I almost always make posts about his progress, like any proud "parent" would...However, there is one thing that Oliver and I have been working on that isn't doing so hot. When we go for walks outside, and it's just the two of us, he does perfectly fine with loose leash walking. He will also listen to my commands outside. BUT, whenever we go in any type of pet store, I have a very difficult time trying to get him to pay attention. His lipstick IMMEDIATELY comes poppin' out of its case and he starts panting and tries to run in every different direction! He's normally the most calm dog, but he definitely turns into a puppy when we walk in a store! I have him sit every few feet whenever he starts pulling to try to re-focus him. I can finally get him to listen to me when there are no other dogs in the immediate vicinity, but as soon as one walks by, all bets are off. Also, he LOVES greeting kids, but for some reason he always tries to jump up on them-- I'm not sure if this is because their little faces are closer to the ground or what, but he never does this with adults! Needless to say, it's difficult to take him into these stores with dogs running all around and kids running up to him. I always have to make sure my hands are free and not carrying a big bag of dog food. I definitely need to invest in a gentle leader. I'm hoping that helps at least a little bit. What does everyone think? I mean, he's 15 weeks old- is this normal for his age? He blows all of the other pups out of the water in his puppy class (they're all a month or older than he is) with everything else except loose leash walking while in a store. I'd love to hear your ideas on how to continue working with him on this!

[Adina P]

oh and you know what helps with jumping? It doesn't actually train anything and just manages the situation in the moment... step on his leash so that the remaining length of leash from the ground to his neck does not allow him enough length to jump. That way he can sit or stand, but it is impossible for him to move upward.

[Adina P]

oh yeah, totally normal for his age--- he sounds like a little prodigy actually :-) I think you are doing fabulous with him! I think I would think he is abnormal if he didn't get super excited when other dogs came by :-)

The pet store is several levels of distraction above everyday walks-- not just other dogs, but smells galore, and Sights and sounds all in one small location. It will take some time to master loose leash walking and heeling in a pet store.

[Jamie]

We are working on this now in our class. The gentle leader is a good tool, but it doesn't teach the behavior. You want Oliver to loose leash walk without the gentle leader. So our trainer recommends that leash only when you really need it. What she has us doing is walk up and down the aisles at the store and when Lola starts pulling we stop dead and ignore her until she lets slack back into the leash and then we continue walking.

As for jumping we were told it is normal puppy behavior, but to ignore her when she does it and reward her when she does what we want. We are working on "watch", sit, and down in the store as well. I guess watch helps with loose leash walking because you want them to watch you and stay at your side. We are using clickers and for watch we hold the treat by her nose and bring it to our nose while saying watch. Once she makes eye contact we click and treat. As for the kids running up to him in the stores. We have this problem too. We were told to ask help from the kids. You ask the kid to wait until you get the puppy to sit to approach and that if the puppy gets up to stop until you get puppy to sit again. Lola gets very excited by children and loves to jump on them, so we are really going to work on this one.

Doodles are so smart, with patience I am sure Oliver will be fine.

[Janie]

Enjoyed reading you blog.