12 Weeks
Just notes so I remember what stage we were at!
Rio believes in early to bed, early to rise. Current wake up time is 5am, far too early. Bedtime between 7:30-8:30pm.
She can do Sit, Paw, and Down on command. Luring left turns as she’s showing more aptitude for the right side at the moment (she’s going to be a right turner in flyball like the other girls!). Shaping paw targets and the Elephant Trick specifically, and doing random shaping sessions with random objects. Can get one stride away on sit wait (no command yet). Much more inclined to interact with paws when training. Very happy to work with unstable surfaces, will push drawers/doors closed. Working for treats at the moment but is showing lots of toy drive and lots of tug drive (will engage with most toys offered by me, will swap between toys).
Beginning to understand that “Ready?” means time to do something. Understands “watch out” for gates/doors/people coming towards her. “Go” games excellent, now understands that kibble can be thrown away from her/me and will watch for it.
Recovery time to unexpected events is good, will back away on first visual/audio but will approach within 10-20s to investigate. Has only completely freaked out (run away/barking) about the noisy nail sander, but with one clicker shaping session will now glance/look at it and offer sit/paw/down within 6ft.
Leave it is good on low- and moderate-value objects, non-existent on high value objects. Recall similar, will recall away from low- and moderate-value distractions, non-existent on high value. Kim, Dyl, Mol = high value.
Lead walking going well, sit beforehand and “let’s go!” for a trot to heel. Travelling in car for up to 30 mins no problems, is happy to be left in car (always accompanied by Dylan or Mollie), only attempted up to 10-15mins at the moment. Has been to the car garage and sat in car whilst car battery was changed, very loud/lots of strangers in and out of the car, chilled during event.
Surprisingly well co-ordinated, can jump from standing start onto sofa/dining room chairs. Not encouraged, do not want Rio to dinner.
Happy to greet strangers (wigglebum) after second outing to meet and greet. She’s happy with low-traffic roads, not thrilled with moderate- to high-traffic – especially if cars have headlights on? Need to meet more children! (Had first mis-identification as Border Collie today, couldn’t be bothered to correct apparent BC owner.) Enjoys vet visits.
Will request to go out for toilet by going to the back door and glancing around at whoever is in the kitchen. Need to make sure everyone in household is aware of this and acts promptly!