Positive Pet Training #12: Setting 2015 Goals for Mr. N

Welcome to 2015’s first Positive Pet Training Blog Hop, hosted by Cascadian Nomads, our new co-host Rubicon Days and myself. During 2014, Mr. N learned how to fetch, became certified as a therapy dog and improved his recall skills dramatically.

And worked on his balancing and perching skills! 

This year, I’d like to:

• Work on the hot dog retrieve. We did a training session or two over the holidays. I’ve gotten to the point where he will take it from my hand and drop it back in my hand. Mr. N thinks I have lost my mind and does not understand the point of the exercise yet. 
• Teach Mr. N one or two of the flashy tricks: skateboarding, jump rope, foot stalls etc. 
• Add a few titles to his name. Lure coursing, and maybe his CGC this year. 
• Teach him how to heel! He walks nicely on a loose leash so I haven’t really bothered but Bethany suggested it as a way to teach focus and attention and to wear him out(?) so I’m putting this on the list. 
• Look for truffles. A friend told me that if I teach Mr. N to sniff them out, she knows someone who has truffles on their land and will let us search. 

I’m also going to ClickerExpo in Portland later this month so I’m sure I’ll have lots of new training ideas after that.  What are your training goals for 2015?