What a change has come upon young Bucky! He is now completely off leash (except for the Last Chance Potty that happens late at night because we just can't see him in the dark) and loving it. Today he enjoyed running full tilt after Ace, his buddy and came back every time I called him. He sits immediately upon reaching me. I am very pleased with his off leash manners when he isn't in a specific command. He stays close but still enjoys his freedom.
When he is in a command he does extremely well. Inside or outside he only needs an occasional correction. He toils slightly with Heel when he is off-leash, he likes to trot or lope and I don't move as quickly as he would like. He also has a strong startle reflex and so if something startles him he does spook a little bit and jump but is easy to coax back to where he belongs. His startle reflex has become less pronounced over the last week. Now what startles him most is the donkey who likes to bray at him.
The one aspect of training that we are still working on is Implied Stay. As I said, this dog is a little bit on the spooky side and he greatly prefers to be near his handler. It frightens him to be left in a Down while outdoors. We are working on helping him stay put while I walk away from him and he is getting better. Indoors, especially when in the Place command he does very well with entertaining himself while I bustle around the house. He even stays when the other dogs are messing around near him. Though, if Ace makes a game look too inviting Bucky might try to join him but for the most part he does just fine.
Bucky is now in the proofing stage of his obedience. He knows his commands and what is expected of him. So now we challenge him, and practice, practice. practice. to make sure he will be able to perform for his parents when he goes home.
When he is in a command he does extremely well. Inside or outside he only needs an occasional correction. He toils slightly with Heel when he is off-leash, he likes to trot or lope and I don't move as quickly as he would like. He also has a strong startle reflex and so if something startles him he does spook a little bit and jump but is easy to coax back to where he belongs. His startle reflex has become less pronounced over the last week. Now what startles him most is the donkey who likes to bray at him.
The one aspect of training that we are still working on is Implied Stay. As I said, this dog is a little bit on the spooky side and he greatly prefers to be near his handler. It frightens him to be left in a Down while outdoors. We are working on helping him stay put while I walk away from him and he is getting better. Indoors, especially when in the Place command he does very well with entertaining himself while I bustle around the house. He even stays when the other dogs are messing around near him. Though, if Ace makes a game look too inviting Bucky might try to join him but for the most part he does just fine.
Bucky is now in the proofing stage of his obedience. He knows his commands and what is expected of him. So now we challenge him, and practice, practice. practice. to make sure he will be able to perform for his parents when he goes home.
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