The training plans for Week 6 and Week 7 are very similar in that we switch a number of learning elements from “introduced” to “savvy”, and we continue to build on the introduced skills. Here’s what that list looks like at this point in Waffles’ learning:

Savvy:

• Crate training (overnight, naps, rest)
• Collar acceptance
• Tethering
• Marker word
• Name recognition
• Sit
• Down
• Front
• Uh-uh
• Trade you
• Touch
• Kennel up
• Trying new things!
• Self-soothing in pen and crate
• Body handling and grooming

Near-savvy:

• Housebreaking (too young to call it, but he’s reliable!)
• Grooming (nail trims)
• Get Busy
• Come
• That’ll Do
• Get Dressed
• Leave it
• Watch
• Drop
• Get it!
• Pull
• Step up
• Step down
• Paw
• Wait
• Finish

Well on its way:

• Bite inhibition
• LAT
• Long distance recall with food reward
• Push
• By Me
• Front
• Heel
• German Finish
• Nudge
• Wave
• Nose presses
• Dominant paw presses
• Nose push and slide
• Nose flip open
• Paw push and slide
• Paw flip open
• Loose Leash Heel
• Loose Leash square sit at Heel
• Loose Leash recall with front finish
• Loose Leash recall with spin-to-sit finish
• People-neutral behavior in public
• Animal/dog-neutral behavior in public
• House manners

Introduced (without cue):

• Formal retrieve building blocks
• Nose-work building blocks
• New places, new footing, new experiences
• On-the-floor public visits
• Stand still
• Loose Leash Walking
• Leash pressure response

That’s it for us this week! It’s a great time to consolidate skills and expand our socialization (neutral) all over the place. We average a 5-8 minute training session every wake cycle (he’s generally up one hour, then snoozing and chilling for 1-2h, and sleeps 9:30am – 7:30am with a pee break around 6am.) We’re still doing an average of 5 or 6 “new place/new experiences” every week. This week, he gets to visit a dentist’s office, a passport office, and a bunch of other places, too! He’s also enjoying sitting in our front yard with me and watching the heavy construction machinery go by. Waffles is a really fun puppy to train — full of beans, to be sure, but also really keen to learn and try new things! He’ll make his way through this more tentative stage like a pro!

Have a great week, everyone!