Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XXVI

Jackson enjoyed hanging out with me on Loco Lane today. We heeled for about 1 mile around the neighborhood. He did great in ignoring the usual distractions. Here at home we practiced the stay. Twice he stayed two rooms away as I disappeared from sight for about 5 seconds. He continued to sit as I re-approached him and gave him a treat and lots of praise.

The rest of the day we just relaxed and even snoozed a little. Jackson explored the yard for a while, but mostly stayed close to me. He gets an A on the day!

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XXV

Today was nearly a carbon copy of the last session. Both dogs were happy to see me. Both sat as I treated them individually. On our walk, Jackson did well and seemed to ignore barking dogs more than ever.

Have you ever noticed others when they walk their dog? Check it out. Most of the time the dog is walking his "master." The dog stops when he wants to and the dog goes when he wants to. To all you loving dog owners out there: do you find this fun, or do you do it just because the dog finds it fun and you feel obliged to walk him/her?

Jackson and I have fun when we walk. He doesn't stop to sniff. He doesn't stop to pee. He doesn't decide which way to go. He enjoys his outting and so do I -and so will his owners, who will enjoy walking their dog rather than vice-versa.

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XXIV

We heeled for 1.3 miles today, some of it on new streets. Before going out and after returning, we (Jackson, Lucy, & I) had little treat sessions in their domain. During the walk, Jackson sat every time at halts, and only broke once when he spotted some children nearby. He stayed perfectly when I asked him to. I think he deserves an "A" today!

The treat sessions were so gratifying: Both Lucy and Jackson sat while I alternately gave each a treat. No hogging. No scrambling. Lucy amazes me. She is such a lady. Jackson, on the other hand -whom I described earlier as a rascal- has actually become a quasi gentleman. These are two great canines and I am happy to be part of their lives.

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XXIII

I picked up Jackson and we walked around the “big block” twice today –about a mile. He did so well, I was tempted to give him an A grade, but I will give him a B+ for a couple of reasons. In all I was very pleased with his obedience and his ever-increasing resistance to distractions. The biggest improvement was in virtually ignoring the cars and trucks swishing by on a busy boulevard –something that spooked him when we first walked there. His biggest distraction is the presence or voices of children. Why not? He’s just a kid himself!

We were both somewhat distracted as we paused on the sidewalk and someone’s sprinklers suddenly came on. Jackson turned to get a drink, and then we proceeded on our way. Good session, Jackson.

Jackson goes on liberty!

Jackson’s owners are home from vacation now and have picked him up. He’s always welcome here, but needs to be with his CO and shipmates.

He demonstrated his new sit-stay and heeling for his family. Then he eagerly jumped into the family vehicle and rode off.

We’ll resume training soon, but meanwhile…enjoy your liberty Jackson (and try to stay out of trouble!)!

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XXI - XXII

Yesterday was another session in Jackson’s socialization training. I think he did a little better in not going in the direction of the distraction –but was aware of most of them to be sure. I think he will continue to improve as time and practice go on…

Today, it was back to basics. I wanted to see if his social experiences of late had any effect on his learned obedience. I was pleased to find that he has not forgotten a thing and responded very well to all commands. Only once during our 25-minute session did I have to press gently on his hind quarters to have him sit.

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XX

In these past few days, it has become very obvious that the "socialization" of Jackson is going to be the most challenging and time consuming part of his training.

When all else fails read the manual! So, today I referred to the new training manuals which I purchased recently. Just judging from the pages devoted to this subject (9) as compared to the pages devoted to heeling (2), one can come the conclusion stated in the first paragraph.

In light of the above, Jackson gets a B+ for today's mile+ around the neighborhood. I had to correct him several times, but he is a smart dog who I know really wants to please deep down in his puppy heart, so he will improve with practice, practice, practice.

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XIX

Teaching Jackson to use the drinking fountain was not part of his obedience training, but was done for convenience (mostly mine), and the fountain was already in place (thank you, Maggie!). It took just one application of a little peanut butter on the actuator to instill the idea in him that licking on that thing produces cool, clean, refreshing water.

Yesterday I graded Jackson for the first time and that was a B+. On a scale from F to A+, I would give him a B today. Now, a B is a pretty good, passing grade, but indicates room for improvement. Of course! We are just 18 sessions into his obedience training, and he is doing well.

Jackson has the basics down, and now it is mostly a matter of socialization and repetition (and calming down somewhat as he goes from puppyhood to doghood). We heeled 1 mile throughout my neighborhood. He was distracted by the usual: barking dogs, passing cars, and people. When you mix friendly people with a friendly dog, controlling his excitement is a big task. After the excitement and petting, Jackson sat and heeled away like a champ.

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XVIII

As bootcamps go, Jackson had a pretty easy day. We decided to see how his socialization is progressing. So, we heeled near the barracks…going only as far as the pond around the corner. This is a lot different than practicing this dicipline in an area where there are virtually no distractions. Walking down Loco Lane, around the corner and down the street, he was presented with plenty of distractions: barking dogs, cars, people walking nearby, golf carts, etc. Jackson is a super-friendly canine and wants to be everybody’s best friend, so he is very prone to people distractions. With that in mind, I would say that he did very well. He did halt with me at street crossings and he did automatically sit –most of the time. Although I haven’t “graded” him to date, I would have to give him a B+ today.

The photo, above, has nothing to do with bootcamp. It has to do with logistics. I needed to go to the grocery store today to pick up some staples. Instead of putting Jackson in his crate, I thought it would be a good idea to just confine him and Lucy to their back yard and let them romp while I shopped. One thing I hadn’t considered -actually had no idea- is that today was lawn sprinkler day at the Dings. So, after completing my shopping, I stopped by to pick up Jackson. But instead of finding a white Yellow Lab, I found a black and not-so-white Lab. Apparently these dogs dug deep into the black muck (I don’t even want to look!) in the back yard. After we arrived back at Loco Lane, I cleaned him up as best I could but the doctored photo, above, is pretty much what he looked like. Also, before the sponge bath, he smelled a little bit like a swamp.

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XVII

Instead of taking Jackson someplace special today, I decided to have him heel around the "big block" near his home which is exactly 1/2 mile. He did well, even through all the usual city distractions. Then when we returned to Loco Lane, I had him sit-stay all the way from the kitchen to the office. I take 1 slice of bread and divide it into quarters. When I hold up a piece for him to see, he automatically sits. I tell and signal him to stay and then I walk away -about 10 feet. He sits like a trooper until I say and motion for him to come. Four of these and we are in the office.

The photo, above, is one I took just now just for this posting. I had him sit on the sidewalk (he knew I had a treat in my hand), stay, and then I went down the sidewalk steps and snapped his picture. He stayed without moving a muscle until I gave him the command to come.

Its Sunday morning and I’ve the time to write if you have the time to read. So, I just want to summarize and elaborate a little bit on some of the tricks to having your dog heel perfectly.

First of all, as you know, it all starts with long-line training. That’s when he learns to keep his eye on you and watch your every move. From the long-line you now move to the leash and training collar. Next, if he doesn’t already do it, he must learn to sit on command. And, he must stay on command. Now he’s ready to learn to heel. He will sit and stay on your left side, in line with your legs, and face forward with you. You step off with your left leg and at the same time say firmly, “dogname, heel!” That’s all there is to it! Well, almost all.

Most dogs –especially young, energetic puppies- will try to walk ahead of you. That’s fine if you are just going for a walk. But, heeling is not “going for a walk.” It is a discipline that will eventually allow you to walk with him safely in busy areas and not be distracted. So, there are a few tricks that you can use until he realizes his correct position beside you. The first trick is to be where you can walk in a circle to your left –in an open area someplace. By walking in a counter-clockwise circle, if he tends to get ahead of you he will constantly be experiencing being bumped by your left knee. Now when you do walk in a straight line –such as on a sidewalk, there are several techniques that will eventually sink in. One is to suddenly make a brief, sharp left turn followed immediately by a sharp right turn –staying on the sidewalk as you do this. Pretty soon he will back off a little so he can keep an eye on your leg movements. If he still tends to get out front a little, here’s one that gets his attention back and will usually straighten him out: With no warning and without speaking to him, make a sudden, right U-turn followed by another right U-turn. In a matter of seconds you are both walking in the same direction that you started, only now he will (usually) magically be back further with his nose and eyes next to your left knee.

And that’s what we did while heeling around the “big block” this morning. Jackson needed very little correction as described above, and he now automatically sits whenever we halt –whether it is at intersections or in the middle of the block.

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XVI

Today's session was a carbon copy of yesterday's except Jackson seemed to lose concentration more often. It was very calm yesterday but there was a pretty good breeze today. I think the breeze brought in more scents and that's what was distracting him (that's my theory, and I'm sticking with it).

In all, Jackson did very well during our 1/2 hour session. He was especially good about automatically sitting whenever we halted.

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XV

SUCCESS!!! I PROMISED YOU BOLD CAPS WHEN JACKSON AUTOMATICALLY SAT AS WE HALTED AT AN INTERSECTION WHILE HEELING…WELL HERE THEY ARE!

We started our training session right after lunch today in a new development where there are a number of city blocks but no houses yet. Streets, sidewalks, fire hydrants, curbs, crosswalks…but no houses. After letting him out of the car, we started a heeling session immediately. We walked for one block, then abruptly stopped on the sidewalk at the 1st intersection. ♫♪ BUTT DOWN! ♪♫ -just like that! After lots of praise and treats, we proceeded to heel across the street. We turned and headed down the sidewalk. Again, we stopped at the next intersection and BUTT DOWN again –without a word from me!

We continued this pattern for about 20 minutes, always stopping at each intersection. Only on a couple of occasions did he not sit automatically –probably momentarily distracted by a bird, scent, or a sound in the distance. Each time, just a slight push downward on his hindquarters reminded him to sit.

GOOD BOY, JACKSON! We’ll practice some more tomorrow!

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XIV

Jackson spent a good deal of the morning with sister Lucy, romping in their back yard while I did some errands. By the time I picked him up, both were "Dog Tired."

He had just enough time for a little begging at my computer (see photo, above) before we went back out for a half hour of training. More sit-stay-come and sit-stay-heel. For funtime we played fetch until Jackson decided to eat the stick instead of bringing it back to me.

A friend joined me last evening to watch a little TV and ended up mostly rolling on the floor with “that adorable Jackson.” Well, that burned up what was remaining of his energy for the day! He went into his crate voluntarily and slept –door open- all night without a sound out of him. Coincidentally, that’s what I remember most about boot camp –out of energy at the end of the day and sleep deprived. I think, though, that Jackson likes his D.I. better than I liked mine.

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XIII

This photo-story of Jackson is part of his "indoor" training. Jackson now routinely stays for longer and longer times and up to 10 feet away.

We returned to Fiddyment Farms today…same development, different “block.” We don’t want Jackson to think that he has to be obedient in only one geographical location –although I doubt if that would be the case. More sit-stay & heel. He’s really getting it now. He sits almost majestically and waits for my command to come. If he doesn’t get a treat, he gets a pat with a “Good Boy, Jackson!” Also, he is good about sitting at my side, facing forward with me, and awaits the “heel” command. I think he heels very well for a dog who normally goes at the speed of light. When he first automatically sits as we halt at intersections, I will rejoice and report the occasion in bold, capital letters! Earlier, we went to visit Lucy. While she ate her breakfast in peace in the garage, Jackson and I played in the back yard. Then Lucy joined us and the two of them had a romp for about ½ hour. We’ll repeat this procedure for the next 10 days. I think it helps that Jackson has burned off a good deal of energy before his training session begins.

Jackson Goes to Boot Camp -Part XII

Same Boot Camp, New (temporary) Barracks.

Jackson’s stay on Loco Lane is not only good for all his human friends involved, but is also good “socialization” training, i.e., he is expected to be good and obedient around someone other than his owners on a 24/7 basis (actually 24/11).

After thoroughly inspecting his new surroundings, Jackson settled in and was an ideal companion for the evening and night. He followed me around and slept at my feet whether I was watching TV in the family room or at my computer in my office. He happily went into his crate at bedtime and slept throughout the night without a sound.

Today we concentrated on the sit-stay and heel exercises again. He showed a remarkable improvement in the stay: actually sitting up and alert, watching me as I backed up as much as 6 feet –then not moving until I gave the “Jackson. Come” command. I should be able to back away a little further each day while he remains motionless.

He still does not automatically sit when we are heeling and halt at a curb. But, he responds very well when I push him into the sit position, and very importantly, sits still and faces forward until I give the heel command.

A little improvement each day, that’s all we expect.