Practice Makes Perfect (Eventually)

The month of December was pretty low-key and quiet for Moray.  There were lots of errands and places to go that were not the best venues to accomplish positive training, thus, we were doing well if Moray got an outing in once or twice per week.  

"Jump" at Tractor Supply

At church, watching game time during Awana

being loved on by a sweet little girl

The last few weeks of getting back into our normal schedule and routine have been very good for Moray.  Like most puppies, Moray needs a lot of repetition and consistency in his training.  His public manners are overall pretty well, but he is still having some issues that only regular and precise outings and exposure can help.  

Chilling at the bookstore

I love that every Starbucks we have been to is welcoming of my pups.  Moray thought he should have gotten some of my smoothie since his name was on it!

Studying and staying small

A few of the most important things Moray has been working on include keeping focused and not letting strangers' baby talk and outstretched hands distract him, calm greetings, practicing his new, more advanced commands in different settings, and just making outings fun and enjoyable for him.   

T, one of Moray's biggest admirers and a very special guy, who practices calm greeting every time we go to the grocery store.

A BIG stretch, but a good "Up," Moray!

Sometimes, progress seems to crawl so slowly I have to squint and really search for things he is getting better at, but I have no doubt that with lots and lots of practice, we'll reach perfection.

People watching from a "lap" command.

Good boy laying the right way next to my chair.

On an outing with fellow CCI pups Hardy and Young

Shopping Buddy

 When I first started taking Dante on public outings, he had a hard time figuring out what he was supposed to do.  He did well if I was continually working him and giving him commands/walking, but as soon as we stopped, he would start barking because he didn't understand that he could just sit or lie down and chill out.  


So, up until around six weeks ago, his outing would be really short (under 15 minutes).  He was with me but I wasn't "working" him in the sense that he was doing commands and such, but trying to teach him that it is OK to do nothing sometimes.  About six weeks ago I think it finally clicked into his brain, and he has been doing fantastic ever since.  He will only let out the very occasional woof! and has even been able to come with me and sleep through church and lunch afterwards.  


The last few weeks, I have been re-introducing "real work" into Dante's outings, and he has proven himself to be a fabulous sidekick who can transition easily from working to sleeping ;-)

A funny example:  A few weeks ago, I had Dante at Kroger, and he was barking like crazy and I couldn't get him to quiet down, so I left with him.  My mom took him back the next week by herself, and one the employees came up to them and said, "Dante is doing so well today; he hasn't barked at all!"  I get really embarrassed when Dante starts barking, so I love that our grocery store is so welcoming of puppies in training and understand that "in training" does mean that they are not perfect!

I love practicing "jump" at Kroger, because these are low, wide and sturdy, and a different surface under his paws.  

 We practiced some obedience in the empty isles.

I have proof that you can sit well on a slick floor.  You now have no excuses.

"I can even jump onto a slippery shelf!"

Only $5.99?  You're coming with me, cutie pie!

This was really funny, because when I put him in an "under" and backed up to take this picture, a lady came up behind me and took his picture too!  I swear it's like traipsing around with a celebrity.   ;-)

And then when my ankle starts hurting, Dante can settle well at a table while we wait for my mom to finish her shopping.

Tired puppy = successful day!