315-318 · Dog Training Community

315-318

Some very different days over the weekend and start to the week. We did a big family walk with babies, bikes and general chaos and he was brilliant. Rushed a couple of times by off lead dogs and didn’t react at all. Lots of natural engagement, really nice recall and I leaned on emergency downs quite a bit, they were clean and effective. We also did a fair bit of engaged play around some pretty intense distractions and he stayed very sensible with the kids, which felt like a big win and a nice marker of where his head is at right now.

We took the weekend a bit easier after that, which he needed, then since I’ve been back at work I’ve slotted in some pivot box sessions to remind him where “heel” actually lives and work on some basic position accuracy. He is still forging in the heel on walks and it still takes more correction than I’d like, although it is improving. The pivot work definitely helps keep the picture clearer for him and also continues to build hind end awareness, which feels important after a lot of drivey sessions recently.

We also had the vets for annual vaccines, which was a bit of a reality check. I realised I’ve not done anywhere near as much desensitising as I’d intended since he hurt his paw and needed treatment. He was nervous, but better than I expected with the slick floor which has been a problem in the past (but we’ve been going to a lot of shops to work on this), and we managed some play and searching for bits of pate in the consult room. He was unsure about the hands on physical exam but tried hard, and didn’t flinch at all with the vaccination itself. He switched off the nerves really quickly when the jab had been done which is a huge indication he was feeding into me and I was super pleased to have my trainer friend with me for a lift and emotional support 😅

We have been working on a chin target and source focus, but I didn’t feel he was advanced enough rely on it today, and I didn’t want to bring the ball in and tip him into higher drive when he was already a bit unsure. It felt like one of those moments where management and keeping things neutral was the better choice, rather than pushing a concept too far too fast.

Overall it was a positive experience, but definitely one of those “wish I’d done more prep” moments. Muzzle training is firmly on the list too, another thing I wish I’d prioritised earlier but just hadn’t gotten round to.

I’d really love to know what others do to make vet visits a genuinely positive or at least neutral experience for their dogs, especially for those who are sensitive, high drive or very environmentally aware. It’s an area I want to be much more intentional about going forward, and I’m very aware there’s a lot more I could be doing here.

Feeling quite reflective about it all. There are always things I’d like to have done earlier or better, but he keeps showing up and trying, and that still feels like the most important part.

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