Sorrel, our little bundle of joy, has been making strides in her development since our last update. Now fully vaccinated, she’s spreading her wings and exploring the world with newfound freedom. Joining our puppy class, she’s embracing the challenge of distractions from other dogs and handlers with grace and enthusiasm.
One of the key milestones we’re thrilled about is her continued cleanliness overnight. Not a single accident to report! It’s a testament to her growing understanding of our expectations and her ability to hold herself until morning.
In our efforts to provide Sorrel with a well-rounded upbringing, we’re dedicating more time to her in the garden, where she receives our undivided attention. These sessions allow us to focus on her training without the distractions of other pets. However, we’re also mindful of exposing her to the company of our other dogs in controlled environments. Learning to coexist peacefully with her siblings is an important lesson that Sorrel is gradually mastering.
Central to Sorrel’s training regime is the concept of controlled exposure. She spends time in her crate or pen while the other dogs are active, helping her learn to settle and remain calm amidst the hustle and bustle of other dogs working. We firmly believe in individualised training sessions, recognising that it’s unfair to overwhelm a young puppy with distractions beyond their current capabilities.
While Sorrel may not have mastered many commands yet, she’s eagerly offering behaviours and showing promising signs of learning on the fly. Crate training has been particularly successful, with Sorrel now responding to the command to go in and settle in her crate with ease.
Our grooming routine with Sorrel has been progressing smoothly. She’s had her pads, ears, and nails trimmed, and has become accustomed to having her ears cleaned—a vital aspect of her overall well-being.
In addition to basic obedience, Sorrel’s placeboard training is steadily advancing. We’re firm believers in laying a comprehensive foundation for her future training endeavours. From fundamental commands like sit, stand, and down, to crucial skills like recall, loose lead walking, and even hunting behaviours, we’re leaving no stone unturned in Sorrel’s education.
Moreover, we’re instilling in Sorrel the importance of manners and impulse control, teaching her not just what to do, but also when to do nothing at all. These early lessons in self-discipline will serve her well as she grows into a well-mannered adult dog.
As Sorrel continues to flourish, we’re reminded of the importance of patience, consistency, and holistic training methods. Each day brings new opportunities for growth and learning, and we couldn’t be prouder of our little Sorrel’s progress. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to nurture her development and watch her blossom into a confident and well-behaved working dog.