Daily Enrichment Log for Amaretto

[marshies]

I've been reading tons and tons how mental exercise can enrich a dog's life, help develop a puppy, and most importantly, TIRE this little devil out. I wanted to start this daily log so that I can keep track of what I've done each day to make Amaretto's life just a bit more exciting. I also hope to receive some feedback and have good discussions about what else you've done, and what else I can do.

January 26th: ( bad day. She was grumpy and bitey so we couldn't do much.

-Did heeling (2-3 Meters), down, sit, touch, wait training for about 20 minutes throughout the day
-Introduced card board box to try and shape "in the box"

January 27th: GREAT day! Though she was still a bit bitey, we got alot done today!!

- Did 5 minutes of heeling, down, sit, and touch at the park
- Was originally going to shape "in the box", but she had fun tearing it apart
- Hid 1 cup of kibble under plastic basin, cardboard box, and all over the stair for Amaretto to track and eat
- Went to a new park to do some sniffing. There was a HUGE dog park there, but we didn't go in, only barked at dogs from afar.
- Ate dinner kibble (1 cup) out of a treat-ball

[robinhuerta]

Shoot....SHE had a more productive day than I did! LOL!
Good job done!

[marshies]

LOL Robin, I PRAY to ANY kind of god out there for the day that she is LESS productive. I am sore every time I try to get up from any type of resting position from all the walking and playing that we do.

Yet somehow, with these 2 hours of walks a day, I am STILL not losing weight. HUM.

[marshies]

January 28: good day!

Went to the local park with a ginormous dog park. Didn't go into the dog park but worked on socialization outside the fence. Look and don't bark? Treat. Look and bark? Get walked away.

Taught her "shake"

5 minute training session for basics

Tried to teach "find it" to no avail

Ate lunch from a treat ball.

Ate dinner half scattered in the floor, half in training, and half in a king.

Feel like I need to find more ways to to challenge her

[marshies]

January 29th: good day!!

The night is still young, but today was great fun day for both of us.

Reinforced "shake", and when I moved it higher, she moved with me and turned it into a high 5! She won't offer it at the higher position unless I put my palms there first, so guess we'll be working on that tomorrow.

Taught "perch". It's not cued up yet, but she got it very quickly!

Taught the beginnings of "fetch". We're literally talking retrieving for 1 meter...but hey, at least the toy is FINALLY coming back to me!

Ate 1 cup out of treat ball

These few activities took an hour. So I guess we could count 1 hour of brain work.

Did 5 minutes of heeling intermittently on our walk

1 hour walk this morning included some sessions of learning to stare and not bark at dogs outside the dog park.

I REALLY enjoy teaching her tricks. I DON'T enjoy trying to correct her behavioral problems. But hey, I guess I get the complete package.

[Miss Molly May]

your doing awesome!!! sounds like Amaretto is a quick learner!

[jhoop371]

Keep up the good work Marshies!

[marshies]

Thanks for the encouragement guys! I need more suggestions of fun things that I could teach her to do. Please toss your brilliant ideas this way!!!

[LaRen616]

You can teach hand signals for commands.

Sinister knows sit, lay down and speak with hand signals.

How are you teaching "find it"?

Do you have a Tug-A-Jug?

[stealthq]

How about beg/sit up? Supposedly helps teach a dog to sit square.

Place is a good one, and useful, too.