Training a Puppy for Public Work

Laurie's lifestyle includes a LOT of public time, so her 3 DADs get a solid dose of public work, both passive and active.  It's all about training.

Moxie (8 months old) public access with barking, whining, and playing dogs in the city. She remains in a down stay in chaos. This is a 2 hour challenge in which she has shined....

Although Moxie isn't relaxed, she is exercising excellent self control.  No treats are given; she is rewarded with quiet praise.  Laurie is filming the video with her phone; that she trusts Moxie's training is evidenced by the relaxed, loose leash.  The video reflects the distance that Laurie places between herself and Moxie during the 3 minute + exercise.

3 year old Willow is Laurie's experienced working DAD.  Willow "mentors" pups in training, Moxie and Kori.  Here Willow and Moxie walk through the campus at the U of Denver, another place that is a normal part of Laurie's busy life.

Focus and attention.
No treats.

Because I see no marking or rewarding, I would consider these brief working sessions and not  training sessions.  If Laurie rewards at the end of each brief session, then, by my definition, they would become  training sessions.  Working duration is built gradually as is exposure to high distraction environments.

What I learn from Laurie's videos, and from DAD training in general, is that there is equal emphasis on behavior training, public access work and scent training.  From the beginning of their training, Laurie and Rachel's dogs know what their ultimate work will be and are trained toward achieving those skills. It's an important difference from the type of service dog training I have been exposed to in the past.  Although training emphasis is equally on all "three pillars" of the training structure, the trainers eyes are always focused on the ultimate job.  These dogs that are trained from puppyhood are working well before two years of age.

Rachel and Laurie are experienced trainers and self-train multiple dogs simultaneously without the benefit of local support, organizations or weekly classes.  They are both KPA trained and knowledgeable about the training techniques of many trainers.  Yet their practical training is focused on the ultimate job of their dogs vs experimenting with theory and "new" techniques. I have learned so much from these women and from the DAD community.

It's almost enough to inspire me to train just one more dog.  Or two or three at once.  By myself.  Almost.