Update along with cute puppy photo! This blog has been a bit neglected lately, but no worries. <3 I just started a new job, then got sick, so I'm recovering and getting settled in. There will be lots of new Deeps content and dog training business very soon.
In fact I'll be attending ClickerExpo in San Francisco next weekend! CickerExpo is a three-day long convention (really more like three days of classes) put on by Karen Pryor Clicker Training. So you'll get updates from that and more.
I'm more than a little bit disappointed that Deeps is still overly excited around people and dogs. I'm registered to attend with a dog but I think that Deeps would be more of a distraction for people than a polite attendee. I had to register for the convention before we even brought him home or lose out on a spot. He'll still be with us in the hotel but I probably won't take him into any classes. I've been working daily with him on being calmer around new people/children/dogs but I don't want to be disruptive in class. I do look forward to talking to other trainers about this problem.
One of the things that's been constantly frustrating is that we don't have a back yard, or any control over the people around us. This means that no matter what I say weeks of training can be set back by one off leash dog, one screaming child, or a dog owner that won't listen to me when I say, "No, you can't pet him, we're training." We don't have any people available to do reliable training with us so I'm working with what I have. :(
There is definite progress and I'm very proud of the progress he's made, but it's not even remotely enough to confidently walk him through a crowded hotel with other dogs and people.