Lucy’s Dog Training Camp

Lucy is a 9 month old pup with a whole lot of energy. She’s gone to the best Dog Training Camp in San Diego to help with her over active behavior. She does things like chews whatever she can find up, is so excited when she sees someone she uncontrollably jumps on them, and she has a tendency to nip at people’s hands simply to get their attention.

Lucy does have more energy then most dogs even her age. It’s hard to get her attention. Key in training is a lot of exercise. Part of her routine has already been running and going to dog beach, which is a good thing. She’s going to need to have a lot of exercise every day in order for her to take the edge off. That means long walks, running, getting her to chase balls and toys, and possibly dog parks to use up some of that extra energy she has.

She also gets over active at other dogs. Licks them, jumps on them, generally just gets in their face and won’t let up. Her training in that area has gone really well. She’s now learning to play with other dogs and not get so in their face. Its a great thing because it allows her to burn off some energy without irritating other dogs.

People are harder for her. She gets sooooo very excited. It takes a lot of reminding her to stay off and to sit for her to calm down around people. This one is going to take some time and consistency, coupled with a lot of exercise so she will be calmer. It will come in time. She understands how to respond at this point, she just goes into over drive and forgets. It is practice, practice, practice.

The nipping at people comes from her breed. She has Lab in her but she definitely has some sort of herding dog as well, like Border Collie, or Australian Shepherd… something along those lines. Its natural for them to nip and heard people or animals to get their attention and she is one to automatically do it. At this point she doesn’t do it to those she is around the most, but she will attempt it when she meets someone new.

Again, this will be about practice, practice, practice. Dogs do learn in pictures and by getting her attention prior to her actually approaching a person is going to be key in her learning to contain herself. Her training has been to sit, and then she gets attention. This is a picture that she’ll need to keep getting reinforced for quite some time.

Some dogs have way more energy than other dogs. Lucy is one that is WAY up there in the energy department. It’s a balance for her… enough exercise and practicing how to be calm around people. Giving her attention when she is calm will paint the picture. Following through with having her sit and be calm is a job that has to be constant with a dog like Lucy.

She is sweet, and she is so happy. Too bad she couldn’t give some of her energy to all those parents out there burning the candle at both ends!

Exercise, exercise, exercise for Lucy is going to be the best for her to be a well trained dog. She knows how to sit, down, heel, come, leave it, get off things. She just has to keep practicing keeping herself in those behaviors before she goes dilly!