Sia is doing so well offering appropriate behaviors to get what she wants. I rarely have to remind her to sit before she comes inside, before she gets her meals, or before I put her leash on. We're paying extra attention to her greetings so she still gets reminders with that...but she's also offer the sit a lot for attention as well.
It's not easy for her sometimes. She's a pretty intense girl with a lot of things to do in her world. She would much rather run and play most of the day but there are times when she needs to work.
It's especially hard when there are distractions. She needs a few more reminders, more frequent rewards and most definitely consistency. Not only does she need patience but so does her handler. I need to be sure I'm waiting her out and being persistent with her. Following through and helping her comply will give her the structure that all of you need.
And the best reward? It depends on Sia and it depends on the moment. When Rosario was providing a distraction and she held her stay, playing with Rosario was the ultimate reward.
If it's mealtime, the ultimate reward might be her dinner bowl. By the way, I can tell you all have been consistent with her training around her meals. Her self control at mealtime is much improved! Nice job!!
As a side note, it is easy for tension to build when food bowls and multiple dogs are involved. I am sure to feed them far enough away so they are still very comfortable and I am right there to intervene if one dog starts to approach another dog's area. I feed in small numbers so I don't have many dogs to monitor all at once. Sia does not show any signs of tension with people or dogs around the food bowl, but that doesn't mean I would do anything that might cause tension for her.
Even water can be a resource but I know these dogs well and know that they can handle sharing the water bowl.
Poor Sia...she's not use to sharing her water bowl with all these labs.
She is much happier when she gets some alone time at the water dish.
Well, we must have worked hard today because her head has fallen off the dog bed and she's snoring quite loudly. Rest up, Sia, there is more work to be done tomorrow...
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