K & K’s Training Journey

 Only intentional training session was outside in the afternoon. I took the Zuke’s and cat treats as well as her squeaky ball and we found a nice shady grass patch. I started with attention, then sit-stay, then down-stay, and then we played fetch for a while. We were even able to keep from barking at two dogs. Then we started doing sit or down for the ball, and then we walked around the neighborhood alternating me throwing the ball and her carrying it around. XD I only did that because when we started walking, she kept looking up at me and gave me her utmost attention because she REALLY wanted the ball, so that’s when I started clicking before giving it to her to chase. It was good.

 Overall, Kimi was pretty tired today. We managed to do some “place” training in the hallway next to the sanctuary and she was great. Following on the leash outside was mostly ok, but she is still planting her feet sometimes plus ALL the branches and sticks are distractions.  Walk at Shelley Lake - did some follow training, then lost the treat bag. XD So no intentional training with treats for the rest of the walk, but she did mostly great. There were a few times when she did not want to move, but mostly followed my direction. Thank goodness we saw Gus (toy poodle friend) when we got back so she could play.

 Morning - following is going great. One instance of really wanting to go a different direction, but I waited and she eventually changed her mind - I need to start counting time to see how long this takes. We did more “place” training with the mat in Main Hall - she followed me around some chairs and then back to her mat. Then did sit-stay on the mat, and she is great.  Overall - better at less barking at other dogs. I have a hard time catching her before her first bark, but after that, she is starting to calm down if I pet her and talk to her and catch her attention. This is both on walks and on the balcony. In the evening, she came when I called her after she barked once, although the last time she just kept barking so I had to go out and tell her to come in.  Children’s choir party and walk at North Hills were both great. She was very polite and even sat without reacting when another dog walked by when I had ice cream - she loves ice cream.  Had a small poop accid...

 Morning - Kimi followed me around the block pretty well and I was able to get her attention with my hand down at her level. Went to say hi to everyone in Witherspoon building and she did great. Everyone was happy to see her. Started “place” training in office - she went to her bed twice, but the third time she just kept trying to play with me and barking and putting one paw in the bed, so we switched gears and did some sit-stay. Afternoon - tried “place” training in choir room - she would not put herself in her bed! So we did recall and sit-stay instead. Post-walk we tried “place” training in JBGS with the black mat and she did great! She followed me on the leash, including some turns, was focused, and understood going to the mat. Hooray! She jumped up on Grier on our way to the car, but Grier turned around and Kimi stopped immediately. Unfortunately, then Grier encouraged the jumping up behavior. Have to keep working on this and get other people on board. 

 Morning outing to the car to go to Pup’s Day Out - peanut butter on spatula was a pretty epic failure. Kimi followed it once, looked at me until I put it on her level for her to walk to again, and then finally stopped and stared at it and wouldn’t move. Did eventually make it to the car, but the peanut butter was not a motivator. No idea why.  After Pup’s Day Out, I was able to get her attention from sniffing something by waving my hand near her head and we walked to the car from there. Met a new family with a small child and a dog outside of our building and said hello - Nona is the dog. Kimi was very polite when the child pet her - very calm.  Did Sit-Stay inside with Zuke’s training treats. Did Sit-Stay on balcony, and then when a dog walked by, got Kimi’s attention since she was already focused and gave heavy praise. Continued until dog was gone. She only barked once. <3