What is Enough Training?

School has started. I have started a new part-time job and I still substitute teach. I take care of house, kids and mom. What happens to my training time?

In summer, while I was recuperating, I had time to train. While I did not do much personal movement, Pippin and I trained several times a day, for about 20 min at a time. We also spent time playing ball and taking short walks. As I got better, the we went back to our Tolt Pipeline off-leash walks and ALL the dogs were real happy. But, then my time at home became short and not dog-available. YIKES! I can tell this has quite an effect on my little Pip here.

So, how do I balance this? I know many people have the same problem. I find that I will do some of my training on the walks. Yes, I carry the clicker (my tongue) and cookies with me. On the off-leash walks, I MUST be better than the squirrels, horses, other dogs, and other great things out there. So, currently, Pip gets lots of rewards for good COMES. The rewards will lessen over time, but re-enforcement is the key here. We also do some freestyle tricks, directional commands, and loose-leash work. This last one is the hardest. He sees another dog about 200yds away … and wants to RUN up to greet. Not every dog wants to be greeted this way. So, on goes the leash and we work attention and walking on a loose leash. Genny, Michette and Pug all have no issues here and stay with me. As we get closer, we ask the owner if the dogs want to play, and if the owner say’s “Yes” then they meet and then the leash goes off and they play. If it is a “no” then we move on. Pip is learning. Learning by practice and praise when doing it right. So, there is training on the walk.

But, of course, Pip wants more. How to fit it all in? At first, I didn’t. But now we play indoor games if I can’t get outdoors. Find the cookie in the cupcake tin that have toys in it: hide 2 or 3 cookies in 2 or 3 cups, cover all 12 with dog toys that fit, and let the dog search for the cookie! At first, start with a cookie in each cup, then reduce. This is Lots of FUN! Push the big ball around the house (Treibball). Pip is getting very good at lining up in the proper position and then pushing the ball around corners and out of jams! I decided to teach all the dogs to push the big ball. Small Freestyle moves as position placements (heel, strut, etc) in the living room.

Not sure if it is enough. In Pip’s eyes, no. But, when I watch him, he is learning. I am hoping that in a month or so, I can actually start DANCING with him! Then we will pick up the pace. Until now – we cuddle and do the best that we can.