Mr. Ray's Training Log

                                                                                  5.22.23 // 6:30 pm Ray had a busy day today. He first went on his usual walk, then we went to breakfast. Here Ray practiced sitting quietly in his place for an extended period of time. This was something completely new for him and he did okay. Next time we try to bring him out to a restaurant, I think he will do much better. After he practiced with his electric collar and off-leash recall. He did very well listening and following while avoiding the street and running around. We then went on a walk and he practiced his sit and stay while I helped a friend at various locations. Shortly after, Ray and I went to the library for my exit interview and I finally finished my concentration!! We ran over to the chapel after to have Ray evaluated for his good dog citizenship. He passed three skills even though he was very tired from him big adventures that day. Dee believes that in a month he could probably pass. 

                                                                                     5.21.23 // 8:00 pm This week Ray and I have made giant leaps in his training. He was finally ready to practice his skills in more distractive environments and we tried to take advantage of every opportunity to do so possible. We also started specific good dog citizenship training and working on the areas he needs the most improvement on. Ray also perfected his down and place which I am very proud of. We are still working on more showy tricks but his functional actions (tricks necessary for him to fit in my life) are going amazing. His leash walking has gotten pristine although he still needs to practice with other dogs nearby.  I am truly so proud of his progress. He has even gotten over his wariness of children! Besides nailing down and place, there is a few big achievements that I am proud of Ray for. One is how he handled himself when we were working in Terry’s classroom with Gunner. He was real

                                                                                                                                                                            5.20.23 // 6:30 pm Today Ray had his first puppy class. Dee thought that it would be better for him to be around dogs more his size so I was excited to see how he would do today. After getting ready, we got out of the car and he did well with sitting and waiting for me to grab some things. Then we went into a play area while the other owners arrived. He quickly notices the other dogs and does sit when I ask but he does not look at me. When I took off his leash though, he did sit and stay for a moment before starting to play. He did really well in the training session and his recall was on point! Dee even said he has great recall! The best compliment ever as we worked very hard on that. Besides doing a few other things Ray worked on his tricks and such in a distracting environment. I really need to go on walks with

  5.19.23 // 8:00 pm This morning Ray and I jumped out of bed and rushed to complete our morning routine. After practicing our usual walk, we headed to school to practice his skills in a very distractive environment: Terry’s phycology class. Gunner and her kids were going in and out and there was a lot of talking. There we worked on sitting and staying while being pet; sit; down; being left alone without whining; walking past other dogs and people while keeping attention on me; allowing others to groom him; and look. He did extremely well and worked really hard. Gunner was a great dog to practice with as he ignored Ray for most of the time. We then walked around campus while everyone was going to assembly and practiced his sit and stay right by the front doors of the meeting house. I would step far away or even enter the building out of sight and he would still stay. I was really proud of him for that. We then went home for a much-needed rest. Later, we worked on place and more down.

                                                                                          5.18.23 // 8:00 pm Ray had a big day today. After our normal morning routine, Ray was alone for two hours. Surprisingly he did not cry as I left or came back. After we went on another walk and practiced a lot of tricks. Ray improved dramatically on his down and now does it within a minute after stepping on his leash. His touch needs work and he does it sometimes. His place is going well but needs more practice and paw paw is getting there. After we went to campus to work with Dee. She gave me some new things to work on like having him sit quietly for interactions with others; walking past other dogs; letting others groom him; sit and stay at different distances, leaving and coming back without him whining for three minutes; and him sitting and staying while I talk to someone else. These are what we will be really focusing on as these are requirements for his Good Dog Citizenship. I am doubtful t

                                                                                               5.17.23 // 8:00 pm Ray and I went on a quicker morning walk because of the cold but did more leash training inside. After his breakfast, I brushed his teeth and washed his face. Then we practiced laying down again for about an hour as it has been taking him 15 minutes to lay down each time. After we worked on place, touch, and paw, all of which he is doing well with. Tomorrow I think I might try spin, and continue with these. We also have a private lesson with Dee tomorrow afternoon, so Ray must be on his best behavior! Daily hours // 5 – Total hours // 62