Rio

Rio 14 Weeks

Well, nearly 15 weeks, I guess.

Recall is awesome at the moment, always rewarded with some variation on a treat, with jackpots when she recalls off something high-value. Had her first off-lead moment yesterday, only for 60s in the park, didn’t venture very far and low-value distractions but recalled twice with enthusiasm. Does not recall for anyone but me though, need to work on training my parents.

Flyball training is going very well – of course we’ve started already, what kind of slacker do you think I am?! Rio shaped onto the target very quickly, no problems there. We’re currently just transferring to the wall, which is hard work, we’re dithering between 1 paw and 2 paw hits. I will try and video this soon.

Very tug motivated, tug recalls are fab. Need to work on rewarding actions/tricks with tug, or switching between tug/treats.

Shaping with objects is good, not so good at thinking up her own stuff but “hinting” (ie. luring once or twice in a direction) is easy. I’m not a clicker purist, I don’t care. Named tricks = sit, paw, down, left turn. Will offer flat, dead, beg. Shaping to push drawers/doors shut, will hit with paws but needs to lean on more.

Lots of little walks, increasingly confident meeting other dogs, not so sure about people, she’s ok if I’m carrying her (lots of happy face wiggles) but cautious or worried if on lead. Need to meet more people! Not thrilled with moderate-heavy traffic, particularly trucks/lorries/horseboxes. Walking in the rain proving difficult as gets distracted by the droplets falling off her paws when she walks.

Still very happy with unstable surfaces, set up a baby-seesaw (2″ drop either side) which she was bouncing all over, slamming down etc.

Border Collie Misidentification = 6.

2 Comments

  • Leanne

    I feel the urge to note everything down, and then panic that I’m not doing enough! But there’s all the “everyday” puppy stuff, like behaving in the house, not eating stuff she shouldn’t, general manners as well. When I remember all that I am awed by how well she is doing!