Training Tip
Goal: I want my puppy to keep four-on-the-floor when greeting me.
How: Keep treats/kibble handy. When puppy comes towards me/greets me/comes to her name I quickly give her a treat at a level that keeps her four paws on the ground. Repeat. All day long.
Pozy and Capella
What to do if she jumps up?
1. Evaluate what I did wrong. Did I hold the treat too high? Was I too slow in my reward for desired behavior?
2. Ignore the jumping up completely — say and do nothing. Once puppy gives up and has four paws on the ground, take a step back and try again.
Daisy and Capella
Notes:
1. Pushing a puppy off initiates a really fun game from the puppy perspective so avoid that.
2. Remember — a puppy cannot jump up if she has four paws on the floor, and so make that the default behavior by reinforcing it constantly.
Harper B for Buds and Capella
What It Looks Like:
Capella benefits from her life with other dogs. The size and age differences, however, mean that all of her interactions happen in confined spaces and while supervised — no free play in a big yard or even a large room. This is to ensure Capella’s safety — I want her to interact but I also want her to be safe, and wild play with the big dogs — while fun — is not safe.
Her favorite Big Dog? Her mother, of course…
Claire and Capella
Please have a kind and patient day.