We discussed a lot during our first meeting but for now we will just focus on what we have practiced, which was marking and rewarding for playing with appropriate toys and redirecting her to her toys by making them super exciting when she tries to mouth or nip you.

We also discussed integrating the puppy into the household so we can begin that process as well.

Be sure to always have toys out for her to choose to play with and to be able to redirect her to

Sometimes it helps to rotate toys so they seem new and exciting when you switch out the rotation instead of always having the same toys out at once

Be sure to mark and reward when she chooses to play with her toys on her own

If she has already mouthed your toes or hands, just grab one of her toys and make it super exciting. Once she has engaged with the toy for a several seconds on her own, only then mark and reward. We want a bit of a delay at this point in order to avoid creating a behavior chain that begins with mouthing your toes or hands making her think it will lead to a reward.

As for integrating the puppy into the household, take turns bringing Boo and Minsc out on walks (with separate handlers) where the puppy is leading the way, about 10-15 feet ahead of Boo or Minsc. And bring treats for Boo and Minsc! Ensure you’re pairing the experience of seeing the puppy with positive things by bringing along tasty treats to feed them during the length of the walk. And the walk doesn’t have to be long, especially when you begin, you start at 5 minutes then increase in 5 minute intervals.

For integration, you can also have the puppy out in her play area with a baby gate set up separating her from Boo or Minsc (working with one of them at a time) and play the Look at That game from the Control Unleashed program by Leslie McDevitt. This includes marking and rewarding for any calm engagement with the puppy such as looking in the puppy’s direction.

We discussed a lot during our first meeting but for now we will just focus on what we have practiced, which was the drop cue.

We also discussed integrating the puppy into the household so we can begin that process for Boo as well.

Continue practicing the drop cue in the house with their toys and always reward with treats when you ask the cue especially since they’re first learning!

As for integrating the puppy into the household, bring Boo out on walks with the puppy (with separate handlers) where the puppy is in front, leading the way, about 10-15 feet ahead. Don’t forget the treats for Boo to ensure you’re positively reinforcing the experience of seeing the puppy. And the walk doesn’t have to be long, especially when you first begin, you can start at a 5 minute walk then increase the length in 5 minute intervals.

For integration, you can also have the puppy out in her play area with a baby gate set up separating her from Boo and play the Look at That game from the Control Unleashed program by Leslie McDevitt. This includes marking and rewarding for any calm engagement with the puppy such as looking in the puppy’s direction. Discontinue and contact me so we can re-discuss the plan if Boo starts barking or lunging during this process.

Once again, we discussed a lot during our first session but for now we will just focus on what we have practiced, which was the drop cue.

We also discussed integrating the puppy into the household so we can begin that process for Minsc as well.

Always have treats on-hand during walks to reward for the drop cue. You may need to use the treat as a lure in order to get Minsc to drop something if he already has something in his mouth. Be sure to practice this in the house with their toys and always reward with treats especially since they’re first learning!

As for integrating the puppy into the household, bring Minsc out on walks with the puppy (with separate handlers) where the puppy is in front, leading the way, about 10-15 feet ahead. Don’t forget the treats for Minsc to ensure you’re positively reinforcing the experience of seeing the puppy. And the walk doesn’t have to be long, especially when you first begin, you can start at a 5 minute walk then increase the length in 5 minute intervals.

For integration, you can also have the puppy out in her play area with a baby gate set up separating her from Minsc and play the Look at That game from the Control Unleashed program by Leslie McDevitt. This includes marking and rewarding for any calm engagement with the puppy such as looking in the puppy’s direction. Discontinue and contact me so we can re-discuss the plan if Minsc starts barking or lunging during this process.