Dog’s Name: Bentley
Gender: Male
Age: 8 months
Breed: Goldendoodle
Owner: Debi &Lynn Driver
Location: Indianapolis
Trainer: Wes Smith and Erin Hansen
Package Provided: 2 week board and train + 4 follow ups
Help Needed On: Crate training, leash pulling, greetings with guests, chewing on owner’s belongings, nipping, digging
Debi is a Hospice Care Worker and Lynn has retired from the medical field. They have used Suburban K9 with their previous dog who they lost suddenly from a rare bacterial infection. Not wanting to live without a dog in the home they got their new puppy Bentley. While Bentley is super sweet, he is a huge 85 pound puppy! Lynn has had several severe medical issues recently and is finding it harder to handle Bentley. It is extremely important that Bentley learn some manners as he can cause some harm to Lynn with his jumping, nipping and overall excitement. The Drivers just want a happy dog they can control and be a good companion for Lynn as he continues his road to recovery. Through the Board and Train Program and several Follow ups, we were able to help Bentley find his calm side and become a great companion for Lynn and Debi.
Summary of 2 week Board and Train: We have made progress on leash handling (heel including turns), sit, sit stay, down, down stay, and come. We have also worked on threshold, door manners, and item discernment. We have been strict about jumping, getting on furniture, and curbing his excitement so we minimize any risk of harm to Lynn and other family members as well as guests. So far Bentley has been excelling very well throughout his stay with Wes so far! Great job Bentley so far!
Summary after initial 2 week Board and Train: During Bentley’s 2 week board and train he was able to learn all obedience commands – heel, sit, sit stay, down, down stay, and come. We utilized e-collar for his come command. In regards to behavioral training, we practiced door manners and threshold, jumping, invite only for furniture, item discernment, and counter surfing. Bentley was eager to learn throughout our time together! During our go-home appointment I taught all obedience commands and corrections to Debi and Lynn. We also amped up Bentley’s excitement which caused him to jump on the couch and allowed us to show the Driver’s how to correct him. During our follow up appointments, I plan to continue working on more behavioral training and circling back to down stay and come as I don’t feel I allowed for adequate time for practice during the go-home appointment.