Category: Litters

Barrier Challenges are all about learning and problem solving and although you may look at this and say that’s not that hard it is important that when we are formal training the pups that the pups experience the following things: Although we want the exercises to be challenging we want to set the pups up for success. In this exercise we want the pups to think for themselves and learn that their whinging doesn’t get them what they want (in this insance me, lifting them out of the pen) As the reward/incentive, I’m purely using myself outside their pen, as they have spent the whole morning watching me and the adult dogs cleaning and playing around the outside of the pen and they want to know what all the fuss is about and why they haven’t been allowed out.

However although they want out of their pen to me this first experience by themselves comes with fear, self doubt and frustration (you can see this in Desi actions at the end) about the task. This task however can be very empowering and bring confidence and competency in future adventures.

One important factor when teaching your puppy any challenge is never leave the puppy in the middle of the challenge as this can stress the puppy out and reverse the above positive experiences. Word of warning don’t give in, as puppies are really good at making you feel sorry for them (however always keep in mind, as above, always create a challenge that you know they can succeed at without your interference). Awesome work flower power kids.❤️

The wobble board was added to the pen about a week ago now and the flower power crew seem to be using it more and more everyday. Some of you have probably seen something similar to this in a physiotherapist office as it often used for weight-bearing therapy and muscle strengthening rehab. 

We use the wobble in the pen for similar training but for the puppies its more about them learning to hone their multi-directional balance skills and improve body awareness. At this stage we just want the puppies to get use to seeing it and using it when they want. It currently has carpet under it to soften the changes in board when it moves. Once the puppies are use to it we will remove the carpet for ultimate movement and startle recovery exercises.

So the next question you may be asking is all of the above sounds great but why specifically would I want this for my puppy. The main reason we have incorporated the wobble board into our puppy program is for confidence, a confident puppy is more happy, well adjusted, puppy. Also “Most of us think of dogs as being very agile.  And although this is true, most dogs have very little hind limb awareness.  Basically, their hind end moves along because their front end went first!  Teaching our puppies to have better hind limb awareness can greatly decrease their risk of injuries to their back legs” https://www.fullcirclevet.ca/canine-body-awareness/.