Splash's Lessons/progress

[Carrie]

Splash, the beagle came to me not knowing anything, not even sit. I'm so pleased with how he is picking up things. I'm guessing his age to be about 10 or 12 months. He's a puppy, but not a very young puppy, quite laid back and has a darn good attention span. He loves clicker training and tries behaviors to see if he can make me click. When he's not sure what to do (because I do a lot of waiting and not a lot of telling), he'll plop down hard into a down and wag his tail, looking up at me. Very cute. Then he'll often hit on the correct response and get c/t. Boy, that really thrills him.

All the things Splash has learned so far:

sit

how to automatically (no verbal cue) sit nicely to have his collar and leash put on and off. Squirmed and fought it at first, like he never had one on him before.

Sit and wait for release automatically...no cue... to go to his food bowl with me in various positions and even if I walk a few steps away. He watches me intently for permission.

Sit and wait for release to go out the door when it's opened. (also default)

Leave it: actually not applicable to everything yet, but I can put a piece of food on the floor 8 inches from his nose when he's lying down and he leaves it until released.

Off: still needs a little help, like getting off of something.

He learned not to jump up on people, although once in a while he forgets.

Down

Sit or down/Stay: 6 ft. away for about 10 seconds....not asking for more yet.

We're doing sit, down, sit, stand, down, stand...mixing them up.


Sort of getting "watch me" when we walk and along side me. (as long as there is no over the top fascinating scent on the ground. LOL)

Back up: Very sloppy still...just beginning that one.

Weave through my legs: Also not very good yet, just starting.

Let's go.

Come: only attempted when on a leash and in working mode...during a session. Or is he just happens to come over to me, I'm interjecting "come." He's sitting in front of me when he comes and I didn't even teach him that other than perhaps some subtle hand signal for sit at first. Now he's doing it on his own pretty well.

Bow: I think he's starting to make the association...haven't elicited that one yet, but he stretches all the time so I'm doing a hand signal and saying "bow" when he does it and praising or treating if I have a treat on me. So, it probably won't be long till I can elicit the bow.

He's beginning to learn his new name...just started using it when he looks at me. And he's beginning to hold the gaze just a little longer before he gets c/t.

We've begun desensatizing him to the Dremel and even the clippers. He's not into that at all. LOL. It will take some work.


Well, that may not seem like much considering he's been here a month or longer, but the fact is, I don't work with him all that much (have 4 dogs) and was gone for the last couple of weeks in Seattle. So, there's hope for Beagle boy yet. There are a few naughties that he's engaged in but that's another story. (like jumping all the way onto the kitchen counter and getting into something on the window sill....one time when I was in Seattle) How ever could such a small dog jump that high, I'll never understand.

[greekblue]

Splash is learning sooo fast! I think you have done a lot in the month he is with you. He seems to be sooo smart and willing to please his mommy. I read that most of you are not that much into Beagles, and I am like that too. Even though some of them look kind of cute, I do not think I would ever want to own one, but Splash seems to be the Beagle of a lifetime. You do such a good job with him -- he is lucky to have found you.

[Ritz459]

That is quite the range of commands for a hound to follow! LOL I don't think we give them (Beagles) enough credit sometimes. If they can be smart enough to figure out how to get that scrap of food off of the top of the fridge, they are very intelligent dogs.

That is about Chloe's range of commands and she's a Collie/Aussie mix. *shakes head*

[Carrie]

Thanks guys. Most of those things are just the beginning and some are certainly not very solid. A lot of them aren't really commands in the sense that I'm using them to elicit the behavior, like "let's go" or "come." Some I mentioned are the exceptions. Some are still at the stage where I'm merely using cues when the dog is already doing something...just to pair the behavior to the cue. But it's a start and he does have fun and is interested. And I think it helps that he's such a calm guy. He can settle pretty well into the "game."

I think beagles just look dumb. LOL. Their little wrinkles over their eye brows and those ears. He has a sort of sauntering walk like he doesn't have a care in the world. But behind all that is a dog just like any dog. Find what motivates them and they can learn. I'm sure we'll run into trouble in the face of distractions like some very motivating scent on the ground. LOL. That's where it will get tricky, I'm sure. The things dogs were bred for do have a bearing for sure.

[k9hullio_sam]

Sounds like he is coming along very nicely! You have done a wonderful job with him!

[Rivsky]

Clicker training is the best isn't it!! Splash resorts to the exact same "default behaviour" as River by the sounds of it - nothing cuter than watching them lay down throwing you all their best puppy dog looks at ya

Sounds like you are both doing a great job so far!

[Swiftwind]

I think you're doing an excellent job with Splash, in such little time too! Can I ask, what was his previous name? Oh little dogs can fool you with their size! Harley once (when he was a pup) jumped up on our high kitchen counter, and ate two packets of easter eggs.