Fido's early socialisation and training

Hi Kaye,

We are booked into Puppy school at Kensington starting on 26th Nov for four weeks, so he'll be cooked in time for Xmas. They take them over 8 weeks so that is right on track!

Julie suggested I try to meet the '100 people introductions' by the time he is 12 weeks. We are well over twenty in four days and 7 dogs. We've got a great niece's first birthday party this afternoon, if I'm up to it, so that should get a few names added to the Fido 'Socialite' list.

He's sitting much more and looking up at me. We've got- chase things and very often bring them back, tugging games, be a cutting horse/yard dog, as well as the sit. Last night Pep joined in on the tennis ball game and it was the first time they have really played together. Pepper looked so happy!

Julie mentioned using the crate at cafes. I tried to call her and might make a time to have a session to discuss introducing the crate. I'll work on that today. My major focus has been on getting him to sit and look at me. Which brings me to one small dilemma. Am I right in thinking his name should mean 'give me your undivided attention'. I could start using it while I'm capturing the 'sit and look at me'. To do that a final decision would need to be made. Are you entirely 100% happy with Fido? It feels right to me and to Sally for the archetypal 'character mutt' he shows every sign of being. It also feels right to me or our collaboration. 'The Adventures of Fido the Skewbald Scrub Poodle.....A dog/man training Odyssey'.

I can't see any reason why I shouldn't start talking in a 'capturing way' for a lot of behaviours. For instance if I can get him spinning hanging off the end of a plastic bag why don't I just cultivate the habit of saying 'spin.....good boy!' If I did that with consistent language I think it might help him 'get it' when I start to train specific behaviours like spin.

I do find myself being wildly inconsistent with my words. I'd like a friendly conversational style so I'm not using formal 'Commanding language' like 'Fetch' and 'Come'. I'd rather 'bring it here' and 'come here mate' instead of come. His extraordinary vocal range makes me think he might have an aptitude with 'language'.

I'm going to have to sit down and decide on, and practice a considered vocabulary.

Fido slept a good bit yesterday. No wonder, he has had a big week. At about 5 he got up and was incredibly energetic and over the top. We had a paddock adventure including a wade in the creek so I had a good reason to start 'let me groom you'. Late arvos might be good Kaye visiting times.

He has the attention span of a ‘butterfly on heat’. My instinct is that I should walk away from our games first before he loses interest, when we are really having fun. What do you think? So far he breaks the connection mostly, leaving me abandoned holding the liver. Often I can't even get a treat to his mouth before he's gone onto a new fascination.

Kaye I only need answers to these emails if you think I need help. Otherwise I'll carry on.

Was great to see you and to talk on Wednesday.

Cheers,

Richard