I have been teaching him basics (SIT, DOWN, STAND, HERE and some leash manners), but mostly I have been concentrating on exposing him to the world in a positive way and letting him be a puppy.
He likes to jump on people now and he is tall enough to counter surf, so I have to step up my environmental management to prevent those behaviors from becoming habit. That means nothing edible or interesting with in reach and using a leash and or treats to help Goose keep his feet on the floor when greeting people. He'll get it eventually.
I will be starting a class with him soon with my friend Sandy Chicoine. Best Buddy Dog Training . People always ask me why a dog trainer needs to take a training class. The answer is 1. There is ALWAYS something new to learn and 2. It is a treat for me to just be a student and concentrate on my own dog for an entire hour! Plus of course it is a chance to practice new skills in a new place with new dogs .
Goose has yet to meet a person he doesn't like and is confident in new environments. This is GREAT! Especially for someone like myself who wants to participate in performance events. But it comes with its own set of challenges that I did not have with my last Vizsla puppy. Though Belle was a happy, stable puppy, she was more cautious with new things. That meant that if we saw a person while hiking she would stick closer to me at first. Goose barrels right up to them! Belle was not particularly distracted by people or dogs while we were working together (though birds were always an issue!). I anticipate distractions will be more of a struggle with Goose. The bird thing is a given! He flushed a family of Woodcock the other day and I ceased to exist in his world for a while!Stay tuned!
