September Training Challenge...Ideas

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think the feedback was positive in regard to reimplementing a monthly training challenge/assignment.  I have an idea for September, but I need everyone to "weigh in" on whether you think this would work for you.  We've had some discussion recently about "attention exercises" to get our Doodles to look at us and focus.  I like this because it seems foundational to lots of other training that we'll do.  My thought is that we could use this discussion to place our thoughts on techniques that we will be using and then update our progress throughout the month.  I have tons of training books, so I would be willing to go through them and post some of the methods that I find for training "focus".  I think there are lots of other knowledgeable training group members who can also share the techniques that they have used.  So, what do you all think?

[Bonnie and Kona]

sounds great!

[Angel Schilling-Putnam]

Excellent idea!

[Sandra Griffith]

I think that this is a terrific idea.  We so often look to teaching our dogs new things, but it is important to revisit (or just solidify) those so important foundation behaviours.  I am glad that you are returning to the training challenge of the month after our lazy summer days.  Although I am not an ardent poster, I do use the suggested training challenges to help with a focus for the month.  Thank you for helping keep all of us on track.

[Anne G.]

I think it's a great idea too. We only learned "watch me" for Murphy which works, but I think this focus training needs to be broadened.