Mishka
The Adventure Begins: 05/16/2025
Coaching Resources
Start Here
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Start Here 〰️
The Handbook is a lengthy read, but has just about everything you might need to know when starting a program. This is the absolute best place to start with your training package.
Start Here
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Start Here 〰️
Guild Hall is a client portal within my website - you’ll find classes and events available only to past and present clients there, as well as discounts on certain future services. You’ll also find recommended outlets for your dog, including sports, events, and sniffspot information.
Character Sheet
Thank you for trusting me with Mishka while you were away! Over the past two weeks, we focused on building foundational skills to support his long-term success at home and in the world. Here's a summary of what we worked on and suggestions for next steps:
Session Summary & Key Focus Areas:
Engagement & Attention: Mishka needed time to build a working relationship and learn how to engage consistently, especially in new environments. While his food motivation was inconsistent early on, we made significant progress using the "Ready to Work" protocol (inspired by Shade Whitesel’s work). This approach helped him offer attention without needing constant prompting, and I'd recommend keeping an eye out for Shade’s FDSA class Spaces in Between if it’s offered again.
Loose Leash Walking: We focused on three primary tools:
Ready to Work Protocol: Begin sessions with a treat to the mouth, pause to allow him to offer attention, then mark and reward. Ask for easy behaviors only if he’s engaged.
1-2-3 Pattern Game: Count aloud "1-2-3" as you walk, delivering a treat on "3" to create anticipation and rhythm on walks.
Choose to Heel: Reinforces engagement in heel position without pressure, letting him learn that staying close brings rewards.
We also introduced a "This Way" cue to encourage direction changes and taught leash pressure = offer attention, then receive a treat.
Dog-Dog Interactions: Mishka made great progress in his interactions with other dogs, especially outdoors. He responded very well to the "Look at That" game to build confidence and appropriate reactions. His ability to disengage and offer attention improved steadily, including with new dogs like Ghibli and Alchemy.
Arousal Regulation & Calm: We worked on:
The Food Bowl Game: Builds impulse control by ignoring food/toys until cued.
Jazz Up/Settle Down: Alternates excitement with calm to promote arousal regulation.
Relaxation Practice: He learned to settle independently, both with Fig and alone.
Threshold Calm: Practicing engagement at doorways to reduce overstimulation.
Environmental Reinforcement – "Go Mark!" Cue: One fun addition to Mishka's skillset was a "Go mark!" cue. If he showed interest in a tree or pole on a walk, I’d first call him back and look for attention. Once he checked in, I’d release him with "Go mark!" to go pee. This is a great way to use real-world rewards to reinforce engagement and name response.
Decompression Tracking: Mishka loved this calm, sniffing-focused exercise. It’s a simple, circular treat track used to build focus, confidence, and calm. This is a great low-pressure way to burn energy and ease him into new environments.
Homework & Next Steps:
Use the Ready to Work protocol at the start of outings.
Practice 1-2-3 Pattern Game and Choose to Heel daily on walks.
Continue Look at That with other dogs from a safe distance.
Integrate the Food Bowl Game and Jazz Up/Settle Down a few times a week.
Try Decompression Tracking in new locations—circle tracks with frequent treats are ideal.
Start greetings with other family dogs outdoors when possible.
Use the "Go mark!" cue as a way to build engagement through environmental rewards.
06/24/2025
Barking in the House:
Try using window film or blocking physical access to high-bark zones.
Introduce a “Thank you!” cue to redirect him away from the window after alerting.
Use games like Look at That and Ready, Get It near windows to give him a way to engage calmly with outside stimuli.
Harness Routine & Arousal Control:
Establish a calm, clear routine around getting dressed for walks.
Ask for a variety of simple behaviors and visible relaxation before you bring out the harness or put it on.
Practice when you’re not actually leaving the house. If you do go outside, use the yard and make that experience very different from a structured walk.
Outdoor Enrichment:
Explore options like a dig pit or other scent-based games as alternatives to active physical play.
To get him interested in a dig pit, bury things he enjoys chewing or shredding. Start with shallow hiding spots and help him find them at first.
These enrichment activities can provide a calming outlet and offer mental stimulation without encouraging over-arousal around other dogs.
Let me know how things are going with these changes! We’ll keep adjusting as needed.
06/29/2025
Meeting & Walking with Family Members:
Start your outings outdoors with plenty of space. Let Mishka explore and sniff at a distance while everyone walks in the same direction.
Use a large area like a yard or baseball field, walking in a circle with Mishka on the outside. This gives him a bit more freedom while you slowly decrease distance.
As you move closer, look for signs of engagement from Mishka. You can shorten the leash while keeping it loose and encouraging disengagement from the new person.
Continue walking together until you reach a spot to sit. Arrange your seating so Mishka doesn’t need to pass your mother-in-law in order to settle. Reinforce him for choosing to lie down or relax on his own.
Inviting Interaction (Optional):
If you feel comfortable, you can cue Mishka to "go say hi" and allow him to walk over for a treat from your mother-in-law. Keep the interaction brief and recall him quickly to avoid overexcitement.
Introducing Auggie:
Use a similar setup for introductions. Begin with distance and calm walking.
When they’re nearby, allow brief, "drive-by" sniffs. You can give Auggie a treat to keep him occupied while Mishka investigates briefly, then separate them again.
Keep the overall goal on relaxation and neutrality—Mishka should be reinforced for choosing to ignore Auggie, while both dogs get used to settling together.
Practice getting up and resettling to help them generalize calmness across different spots.
Transitioning Indoors:
Bring the same principles inside. Keep both dogs leashed and give them ways to create space if needed.
Mishka may feel a bit more tense indoors, and Auggie may also be more sensitive in a confined space. Set up the environment so each dog has a safe space to retreat.
Once they can relax in the same room, start incorporating movement and parallel walking indoors to build calm co-existence.
Let me know how this goes or if you'd like a written version of these steps to reference during practice. You’re both doing great work helping Mishka feel more confident and connected!