Training Black

Access Training

Black has been doing real well on his training. On Monday I took him to Wal-mart for some practice and my daughter needed some things. I walked on Black's right side with a training chain on and a loose lead. My son was on Blacks left with a short lead on a flat coller. I was impressed with how well Black did. He acted like it was no big deal. He tried to sniff some material that was near him but I told him no and moved myself to leasen the temptation. He did so well that We went yesterday to Goodwill and toys r us. He was doing wonderful. No access problems and peaple were nice and friendly. we had a few kids and a adult come ask if they could pet him. Since he is being trained as a Autism assist I directed the questions to my son who did wonderful answering their questions. Employees at the stores try and not notice we are there especially wal-mart which I think is funny to see them turn their eyes away quickly. After our shopping we went to IN n out burger but ate outside as I am not sure if he is ready for that yet. We did drop some french fries near him. He tried to go for the first one but I made a noise to remind him to ignore it. After that he did great. He had a hard time staying down but I think the cement was bothering him. I will make him a settle mat this week and see if that helps. After we ate we went back to the car and gave him some water and son gave him his leftover hamburger for a treat. We went to Petco at the end and I took his vest off and let him pick out a toy. He got a squeeky chicken and a plush squeeky bone. I purchased a Gentle leader so that son could later learn to walk Black without being pulled. I also bought a clicker to start clicker training him for future tasks. Black is really impressing me with how well he has taken to being a Service Dog In Training. I feel that we are lucky to have such a wonderful dog in the family.

July 4

Hope everyone has a safe 4th of July. Black is doing very well in his training. We might start a service dog class next week if we can work out some payment and Black is accepted. Black is doing great on his sitting, heeling and down stays. His recall is good. When called he comes but is slow and meanders if he feels he is going to be put in the backyard. I have been working with Black on going up and down stairs slowly and to keep pace with me. He will sit on a stair if I ask which is pretty funny to see. Training has been going slower this week since I am working with my daughter dog also for 2 weeks. Black loves it having my daughters dog Chiodos visiting they run and play which is funny to see since Black is big and Chiodos is small. Having Chiodos around has been good for Black as he was a little rough with my younger kids when off leash. Chiodos is making it where he plays more gently. I have been having training moments with all three dogs taking turns doing a task. It seems to me that they learn from each other and they seem to compete on how quick they obey. Well off for now.

Sunday June 14

Black is now consistant on sit, down and heel. I started teaching him touch where he on command touches my hand with his nose. He picked it up right away and is now doing it no problem. We will see if he remembers it well tomorrow. I started working with him today on lap where he gets his front paws on my lap this is to start him in the future to learn to push against me or David when asked. He is very smart. The only problem we are having are having is the wood floors are to slippery for him to feel secure . I think I will put a large rug in the front room near the couch so he does not slide when I work with him on some commands. I am hoping to start a obedience class with him this week. The trainer said she will call if she starts it this week. Daisy is getting a bit jelous of Black and joined in on her own for the lap command. Of course having snacks did help some. I am sure lucky to have 2 very smart and wonderful dogs in the family

Thursday June 12 2009

Black is doing great on his training. He sits whenever I stop and laying down on command. I went out to eat yesterday at a local chinese place. I ate outside at the tables with Black on down stay. He did quite well. He ignored the food that I dropped on the ground and it was his favorite jerky strips. I moved the food closer to him to about a foot from him and he still ignored it. I praised him and after I was done eating I gave him jerky. He had a hard time on our walk home when a cat came running out to meet us then stopped about 10 feet away. Black wanted to run and play but he did not get out of control and stayed when I placed him in sit. He is also practicing back and is being consistant when asked to back up. He is a great dog and am so pleased we got him.