Big milestone today: Riley went into his crate himself!
We spent the day working on sit and stay. He has sit down, even without prompting. He stays as long as I don’t open my bedroom door, then he wants to follow me out and be wherever I am. Working on it. When he got bitey, I removed myself, turned my back, crossed my arms, and waited 20-30 seconds. He calmed down, and when I sat back down on the floor, he curled up in my lap for a nap.
We also worked on crate training, mainly getting him used to going into his crate. I had been feeding him in it, but other than for meals, he didn’t venture in. I put down a plush pillow, and a blanket I got for him, and covered his kennel with a quilt so it’s dark. He got more interested. I put treats in it, and he was all about that. Slowly he’d go in, sit for a few seconds, maybe lie down, then come back out.
After a play session in the backyard, he climbed into my lap and started to doze. He couldn’t quite get comfortable, and then he just got up, walked into his crate, and settled down to nap.
This new pup parent is so proud! So proud he went in on his own. So proud it feels safe to him. So proud of my Riley.
Now to be able to get up without him waking up, and be able to leave my room without him following.
One step at a time. It’s a journey. One step at a time.