Lab Border Collies Go To San Diego Dog Training Camp

Rasta and Puka are Labrador Border Collie mixes who have come to our San Diego Dog Training Camp for the same reasons many dogs need training… for urban living. They tend to bark too much for the neighbors liking, jump up on you as a greeting, and pull your arm off on a leash!

These two siblings are still young, 18 months old so they have a lot of energy… and being siblings they tend to play off of one another. Puka is the one appears to be the “pleaser”, yet truly she is looking for safety. She tends to jump up or paw for attention… a lot. When in a situation that she’s not sure about she will cling to you.

Rasta is more of the aggressor of the two. She will step out and do her own thing as well as show a much stronger will when she wants her way. At least she did when she didn’t have a clear set of rules to follow.

The interesting thing in training these two types is that Rasta the stronger of the two is easier to come around to things. It simply that she has more confidence to start with. Puka being unsure of things will tend to run or duck away or cling to you.

In both cases leadership and communication so they can understand in dog terms is required. It’s a matter of getting their attention and then showing them the correct picture every time. Puka for instance has to learn to sit in front of people instead of jump and paw at them… it’s what we’ve been working on and she’s coming along well. She even automatically starts a sit at doorways since that’s the rule around here. No just running out the door. Sit, then get the ok to go out.

Rasta is doing excellent at that type of behavior. She is working on recall in big distraction already and she is doing great with that. She quickly has caught onto sitting for attention. She isn’t such a clinger so it was easier for her to grasp.

As with most dogs, Puka and Rasta need exercise, and due to their breed, really the more they get the better they are. They have learned to not pull on a leash in the last few days so getting them out for exercise is a much easier endeavor!

They are doing great. It’s just practice, practice, practice. Practice does make permanent. K9 Coach of Encinitas, San Diego, and Temecula believes in teaching a strong recall, a lot of exercise, and practicing good dog manners every day!