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. You’ll recognize a lot of things are exactly as they were last week, some new things have been added, some stuff has changed categories!

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
• Come
• Get Busy
• Get it!

Near-savvy:

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

Well on its way:

• Bite inhibition
• Long distance recall with food reward
• Push
• By Me
• 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:

• 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
• Hand commands for sit and down
• Place (“Go Chill”)

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 8-10 minute training session every wake cycle.

Have a great week, everyone!