Note: It has been a long time since my last blog, but my goal is to get this up and running again to assist our dedicated volunteers. Thank you for all your hard work.
Reminder: Everyone has been great about sending in monthly progress reports. Thank you, keep up the good work.
Puppy Training Challenge: Working the puppy on our right side tends to be neglected. Remember it is important for the puppy to be proficient at all command on either your left or right side. Practice, Practice, Practice, side.
Puppy Raising Tips: Training Tips
- Like in the Puppy Training Challenge make sure to practice all command on both your right and your left: Heel and Side.
- Both Heel and Side have automatic sits. The puppy moves to your left side turns and faces forward, then sits.
- When you come to a stop, just like with automatic sits, the puppy should be facing forward. CCI puppies when in public should always be in a controlled position like sit or down. Puppies should not be standing, sniffing, pulling, or soliciting out side attention. Control the puppy by always having them in a sit.
- When walking through a doorway the puppy walks right by your side. Please don't use commands like wait every time you go through a door. Puppies should be respectful and never pull through a door or shy behind us.
- PUPPIES SHOULD BE ON LEASH AND ATTACHED TO A PERSON AT ALL TIMES WHEN IN PUBLIC. Please do not drop the leash and walk away from the puppy.
- Stairs, like doorways, puppies should be controlled. Make sure to practice walking nicely up and down steps.
- Food on the floor should be ignored by the puppy. Food should also not be taking from a hand without permission like "okay". Like humans, we are taught to not just go into someones refrigerator and start eating their cupcakes. Puppies should be taught that food can be in their environment and they don't have to eat it.
- As with control around food, Canine Companion puppies should learn that they don't have to be friends with every dog they meet. Puppies should be taught self control around other animals. Just because the animal, child or adult is in the environment does not mean the puppy has to interact. As always self control is extremely important for an assistance dog.
Puppy Raiser do so much to help the puppies succeed. If you are having any issues with the puppy, don't hesitate to contact Canine Companions.
Happy Training,
Suzanne Sliclen
Puppy Program Manager
