Classes have begun, goals are set, and training is in full swing as Nakina starts her eight-week journey in obedience and manners.

🐾 Focused on Training

Nakina’s classes have begun, so we’ll be staying very focused on training for the next eight weeks.

Training

There are quite a few cues being taught across both of Nakina’s classes. Since each class runs for eight weeks and the material doesn’t overlap much, we have plenty to work on.

For Basic Obedience, this week’s goals include a 20-second sit, a 30-second down, a sit from a down, waiting politely for her food bowl, a settle, loose leash walking, and recall. She’s solid on the first few, but we’re actively working on loose leash walking, recall, settle, and polite food-bowl manners.

For AKC Puppy STAR, I was asked to write a short paper about the breed and why Nakina. That’s finished and will be presented to the class next week. The required skills for that class include sit, down, focus, stand, recall, and settle. We need additional work on stand, recall, and settle, so those will be priorities this week.

Socialization

Nakina was easily the youngest dog in her Basic Obedience class but one of the most focused. Except during loose leash walking, she stayed completely engaged with me. The class itself was long (over two hours), which is challenging for any dog, but especially a puppy. I was incredibly proud of how well she handled it.

We also need to return to elevator work, which we didn’t get to this week due to the training load.

What's Next

• Settle — begin removing the lure
• Walking — calm leash walking on the left and sitting at stops
• Recall — continue on leash in quiet environments
• Grooming — continue desensitizing to the Dremel
• Complete elevator desensitization

I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed, but because I genuinely love spending time with Nakina, I know we’ll get through it together.