25 weeks old

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Daisy continues her foundation skills:

• Sit

• Down

• Wait

• Heel 

• Look at me

• Doorbell

• Shake

• Leave it

• Nice walk

• Off

• Come

• Kennel

• Stay

• Backup

• Open & Close Door

• Confidence

• Home

• Off leash

• NOW!

• Ramp walking

• Distractions

• Walker

• Bring it

• Give it

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This week we continued review of skills with particular focus on "Bring it" and "Give it".   We had introduced these tasks through games before but Daisy was not quite ready to have consistent success.  So this week we revisited these actions, again, through fun games.

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There are times we start a new game or skill without initial success.  Most of the time it's because Daisy is not ready to start the next step.  So we adjust and come back to the game or skill at a later time.

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Daisy continued to be more comfortable with walking next to and responding to "heel" with the walker.  This coming week we will "go live" by using the walker in the town of Cayucos to see what distractions come into play while performing this task.

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This week our major visit was to Ace hardware in Morro Bay.  There were plenty of smells, people and distractions where Daisy could practice her skills.  One noticeable improvement is that Daisy is sitting and relaxing (down) when I stop without being asked.  This automatic response will be very important for her client.

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Again, this week Daisy visited Albertson's Grocery Store, Central Coast Music shop, DNCS Coffee Shop, Spencer's Grocery Store in Morro Bay.  More and more people are asking about Daisy and taking the time to say hello.  Without hesitation, Daisy sits and waits on command, then says "hello" the those wanting to talk.  Daisy is like a smile magnet!  Remember last week's post about controlling people?  See below.

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One tool I use to control people, yes people, who want to dive in and pet Daisy has become very important.  When I see someone coming towards Daisy, I say, "Daisy, sit before you say hello" loud enough for the person to hear.  As expected, it stops people in their tracks. Then I release Daisy, and the person, so Daisy can approach the human.  

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Daisy's Digs

A Puppies' Point of View

                                        By Daisy D.

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This week was fun leading human Ray around the town again.  I don't really have to lead him anymore, I let him walk next to me when we're out.  He's doing much better with walking.  

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One day we went to a strange place.  This is not the first time I went to this place, but it's the first time human Ray took me through the magic doors!  This place smelled really good to my nose but looked a bit scary to my eyes!  There we little people, little animals and little odd looking, what human Ray called frogs, all over the place.  Now the strange part is that NONE of them moved!  Or talked!  BARK!, what was this place?

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I decided not to say anything about these strange non-moving people and animals.  I just sniffed my way through the green bushes, very still animal and humans and just took in the smells.  

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Oh, one other thing this week.  Human Ray had to use the thing with wheels again.  Maybe this thing is to help him find his way around.  We don't seem to go anywhere, just around by where the other humans live.  Maybe it's to help him find his way home?  Not sure?  So I just walk next to human Ray to be sure he's safe and gets home ok.

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Sometimes it's a real challenge being a growing puppy!

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                                        Daisy

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