This evening me and Tosca went to a local schoolground to continue with environmental socialization. She really enjoyed running through a large tunnel that was there. I'm finding that a lot of modern playground equipment are incredibly weird and don't really provide me with good training opportunities.
We also had a session with the Dremel earlier today. I filed all of her front nails and she behaved like a star. She was super relaxed the entire time. It's not her first time but this was definitely the best. I only recently got the Dremel and it's without a doubt one of the best money I've spent when it comes to my dogs. I made a terrible mistake with Bella not cutting her nails often enough and it's a real pain working the quick back to a good length. Now I have easily been keeping Tosca's nails short from the day I got her.
I have been awfully lazy with my camera and need to sort that out. With the speed Tosca is growing I don't want to miss out of having enough puppy photos of her later on. I have also started taking videos of training sessions that I will use to better evaluate myself and my progress. I would have posted the one I had taken for me yesterday but Tosca was so distracted that it would just make me look bad. Ha!
I also got information about the puppy class I will be attending this month, it starts 23rd September and will be on Mondays and Wednesdays. I can literally walk to class as it's in the stable area about 7 minutes walk from my front door.
Tosca's Trials
The life of a German Shepherd and her owner.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
First Challenges
Tosca turns 14 weeks this coming Thursday. Our main focus these days is socialization and engagement. She is coming along beautifully and we are trying to do as much as possible together so that she will hopefully grow up to be a savvy and relaxed dog.
So far our socialization has taken us to the following places and situations:
Walked down the main shopping street.
Met dogs for an off-leash walk.
Went to stores that allow dogs.
Been outside playing when kids are on their way to school/kindergarten.
Tried our footing on playground equipment.
Been to a public park during low-traffic.
I hope to add to that list all sorts of different things as we go along. I go with the theory that socialization is about us being able to go to all sorts of different places and concentrate on work or play with distraction. I do allow people to approach or pet her if they ask as long as I see that she's not feeling intimidated by the strangers.
Although I do own another dog (the soon-to-be 4 year old Border Terrier Bella) I do almost all of Tosca's socialization without my other dog. Bella is insecure and dog reactive so I do not want her to negatively influence Tosca at this point.
So far our socialization has taken us to the following places and situations:
Walked down the main shopping street.
Met dogs for an off-leash walk.
Went to stores that allow dogs.
Been outside playing when kids are on their way to school/kindergarten.
Tried our footing on playground equipment.
Been to a public park during low-traffic.
I hope to add to that list all sorts of different things as we go along. I go with the theory that socialization is about us being able to go to all sorts of different places and concentrate on work or play with distraction. I do allow people to approach or pet her if they ask as long as I see that she's not feeling intimidated by the strangers.
Although I do own another dog (the soon-to-be 4 year old Border Terrier Bella) I do almost all of Tosca's socialization without my other dog. Bella is insecure and dog reactive so I do not want her to negatively influence Tosca at this point.
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