For a short while, when Nico was a puppy, we had fed him to help build engagement with us. We’ve decided to return to that, coupled with a short training session at each meal. This morning we went for a walk and I fed him breakfast while working on his heel, sit, and stay. He was able to remain engaged with a dog in a yard barking at him. This evening Shelly fed him while working through sit, down, stay, place, and recalling him off scattered food. We’ve noticed a clear “switch” when we get ready to do any training with him. He immediately focuses on us, looking for direction. The idea is to keep building the engagement and obedience so when we get into situations where he would normally get frustrated and check out that he we can continue to communicate with him and help him through his frustration.

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