Law & Order

I am constantly strategizing on how to train Sobe... what we can do to make it work for us and for him. I think that as he's approaching his "terrible 2" stage, we need to be more strict with disciplining him. (He's already testing the water with us and trying to get his way).  Here's what I researched so far that I think will help us help him.  It's also helpful that I establish some training rules so that Rick and I are on the same page and remain consistent.


1. Affection - We love Sobe and he's a ball of fur and we want to pet him all the time but we should only show him affection when he's calm, when he does something right or listens to a command. If he's out of control (not the normal playful energy), we need to calm him down before we give him affection. So for instance, if we're playing with him and he gets hyper and nips/bites, poke him in the ribs (or use massager) and say, "no bite!", then don't play with him anymore until he calms down. He's usually a good boy and plays on his own on the rug so I think he deserves affection most of the time but we just need to be careful on when not to give it.
2. Working it! - Before food, treats, toys, or playtime, we need to make Sobe sit and wait before he can get it.

3. Pawing - I notice that Sobe's been trying to climb on top of us and paw us when he wants something. This is his way of exerting dominance and so we need to cut that out ( I didn't know at first). Until he stops and sits, he doesn't get what he wants.

4. Walks - Remember to keep the leash loose and let Sobe walk. Stay next to, or a step ahead of him. Tighten leash when he goes in the opposite direction, followed immediately by slacking the leash again. This is how he knows that life will be easy and struggle-free when he doesn't pull. It's ok if he walks horizontally but just not the opposite direction.


Things to work on:

1. Commands & Vocabulary - Sit, Outside, Lie Down, No bite, Off (when he jumps on us), Nite Nite, Slow (when he tries to run off on the leash when walking. He's pretty good at responding to this now!), Come here (he's SO stubborn with this one!), Get Over There (when he hovers and smothers you while you're trying to do something like clean his pee!)

2. Walking into the elevator at the lobby - he did it this morning for the first time!

3. Signal for going out - Training him to sit by the door before going out.

4. Wee wee pad - We usually let Sobe play after his walk. After about an hour, and if he's not crated we'll find him sniffing which means he probably has to pee. We need to bring him near the wee wee pad so he can learn to go on it.  He's already starting to use the pad but still has accidents.  I was skeptical about this one at first but a neighbor said that teaching him to use the wee wee pad as an emergency method will alleviate stress for us and for Sobe.  Sobe won't have the burden of holding it for hours and we won't have the burden of hurrying home if we can't make it.  Sounds good to me!  I hope to slowly eliminate it as his bladder get stronger.

Below are pictures Rick took of Sobe on his afternoon walk.  He's walking pretty confidently now even in the sleet and rain.  He's also trying to climb the stairs to our building.  Don't you love his little army jacket? It says "Rebel" in the back. If he has the army hard hat, he'll look like a true soldier marching down the street!