Heel box

Happy Hamlet Heeling.

The heel box is a small step for Hamlet to put his two feet on. We practice getting him to realize that he has back feet and that he can move them independently from his front feet. This is part of the technique to train him for the commands 'heel' and 'side', where he is supposed to come along the trainer's left or right side, respectively.

He is learning it fast! He absolutely loves the box we made him. (So much so that he wanted to eat it at first! ha!) It was a little slippery, so we took some purple felt and glued it to the top. Now, I think it just looks royal. Hamlet the princess with his royal heel box!

Recently we received a great dog toy in the mail from Daisy's parents! It is made out of fire hose and is very durable. Hamlet went after it immediately.

In other news, we still cut his toenails. Daisy's technique is so great/funny/effective that I thought I'd throw up a couple more photos of it.

New toy!

Hamlet's position while Daisy and I eat breakfast.

New shaping

Shaping with the bowl.

Last night we decided to start being a little more diligent about practicing "shaping" with Hamlet. Shaping is where you have the clicker, some good treats, and Hamlet at attention. The goal is for him to figure out what you want him to do, by just trying different things. We're teaching him to put his paws on an upside-down bowl on the floor. We started by clicking and treating for when he looked at the bowl. Then, when he moved towards it, and then touched it, and then when he put his foot on it and looked up at us. He is already this far on the second night! (So fast!) Tomorrow, we'll try to get him to put both paws on it and look up at Daisy. Fun times. :)

In case you're wondering, "shaping" is the game the official trainers will play to teach new skills in advanced training. This could be anything from turning off the lights, to opening doors, to pulling off socks!

Sleepy time with the stick as a cuddle buddy!
(OK, so I did put his arm over the stick.)

In other news, when we're not trying to get Hamlet to do tricks, he is still often sleeping. Once we gave him the mostly empty peanut butter container. (He loved it!) And last week at puppy class/event we weighed him - 65 lbs. Our big boy. (Although he still doesn't seem that big to us.

Keeping Hamlet busy is easy with peanut butter.

He waits to eat until we say "OK!"

Chocoflan from our anniv. last week! Yum!!!
(We made it again already for friends.)

"Snow angel" and home-school puppy class

Hamlet's "snow angel"

It snowed more again this weekend. Hamlet loves it! When it is fresh and he steps outside he just wants to roll in it. You know how kids like to make snow angels? Well, Hamlet's version is right here!

Before the snow this weekend, it rained very seriously during the week. On Wednesday the rain was so bad that when Daisy and Annabelle were driving to puppy class they decided to turn around and come home. They had puppy class in our apartment instead! This was great fun (except for the complaint from the neighbor...) and they practiced all sorts of commands and had a great time playing, too.

The "leave it challenge" x2!

Today was Daisy and I's 1 yr partnership anniversary! We made delicious enchiladas and chocoflan. Yummm! One of the other activities was building a soft bed for Hamlet's crate. He tends to wake up a couple times during the night and turn over very loudly. We believe this will quiet that a bit! We used an old sheet, cut it, sewed up the sides, and filled it with old t-shirts, boxers, and other clothes. He seems to like it so far - at least he knew what to do with it (lay down).

Hamlet still sleeps a lot, and he still gets in these really awkward sleeping positions. I'm not sure how or why he likes it on his back with his paws in the air, but it works somehow!

Slowdancing in the afternoon.

In other news, Hamlet and Daisy spent a little time slowdancing. Aren't they cute?

Wohoo! (aka still not too big to hold)