Lucy "Down"

Lucy is also learning "Down" and Down-Stay". This a difficult command for a lot of dogs because it is one of the most submissive positions you can put a dog in. Many dogs fight this command. Lucy has struggled with this command as well, but it is no different that the struggles we faced with "sit". She is learning this command and learning to trust me while I am teaching this command to her. Lucy is doing great and continues to gain confidence in herself and trust in me everyday.

Lucy "Heel"

Lucy is doing great with "heel" and "come on". Heel is a command that means stay by my left side, whether that be walking or standing still. Lucy is also learning to sit automatically after we stop walking. This command is great when you need more control over Lucy, such as in traffic situations or walking in the park with other people and dogs. "Come on" is a much more relaxed command. In this command, Lucy is only required to stay close when we are walking. She is not required to be on the right or left, but only to be paying attention to where I am. This command is helpful when you are just in the yard and you want her to freely walk around with you. Currently, Lucy is walking without the assistance of the leash. The leash is still attached at this point, but is only dragging behind her. The leash is only there to guide her if she gets confused about what I am asking her to do.

Lucy "Sit"

Lucy is doing MUCH better with her "sit" command now. She understands what is being asked of her and is now doing sit with verbal or hand signal commands. She also performs an automatic sit when we come to a stop after heeling. She is learning to sit and wait at the door to come in or go out. Lucy is doing great and is starting to gain more confidence in her training.

Lucy Begins

Lucy is a very interesting dog. She is very sweet, but not very affectionate. She is very smart, but also seems confused. She had the life of a breeding/kennel dog before you came to rescue her. It seems she is still really trying to figure this new life out. I can see that there is a lot of intelligence in her, but I am just trying to get her to trust me at this point. We have started things pretty slow with her. Some commands she picked up on very quickly and others are a bit more challenging. She is doing great with the "place" command in the house. She is also learning to walk with me pretty well (although this is one thing she did well to begin with). She is having more difficulty with sit and down. We have incorporated some treats to help with this and it seems to be working some. Again, there is still that lack of trust with her. She likes me, she just doesn't seem to trust me...yet. I do feel this will turn around. We will continue to work and I hope to see some major progress over the next few days. So far, she is learning "place", "heel", "come on", "sit", "down", and "stay".

Lucy

Lucy
Female Standard Poodle, 6 yrs old
Owned by Tommie from Kinston, NC

Board N Train began on 10/29/09

List of problems as stated by owner:

• Not housebroken
• Doesn't come when called
• Bolts through open doors
• Sniffs or eats off countertops
• Chasing cats
• Refuses to move when you try to lead her by the collar
  

Main goals owner wants to achieve:

• Basic obedience
• Pay attention to commands and not think they are just suggestions
• Get in and out of the car without having to be lifted