This was a good week overall for Riggs learning place, six, and block. He picked up “place” within a few minutes which was great. He understands and will lure into “block” but is not yet able to go into the command without the hand lure. He is a bit uncomfortable in the “six” position. He does not like to stay in it very long so we are working on his duration.
Riggs still shows lack of interest at times especially during circle training outside and walking around the institution. In our room and on the tier he is a different dog. I believe he is not 100% comfortable in those environments and so he is focused on his surroundings more than his handler. He requires some engagement sounds or his name called in order to get his attention if a command is to be given. He is able to perform the command without looking but in order to encourage eye contact we either use some sounds, his name or at times we will wait until he makes eye contact on his own before proceeding to try to help him understand that until there is eye contact, we aren’t proceeding. I don’t know if this is necessarily helping as he just seems to be a very laid back dog that doesn’t give a lot of eye contact or engagement. As I have stated before, this just may be his temperament and if so, the goal is to get him to perform the commands whether there is perfect eye contact or engagement. I believe he will be able to do that as he has progressed thus far and continues to do so.
-Smith
