Train that puppy!

I realize I need a more structured plan for Zig's ongoing education.

1. Ongoing socialization: trips to Starbucks, pet store, friends' houses, Home Depot.
2. Scheduled interaction time at HGL and puppy romps at OHS.
3. Sit/down verbal cues.
4. Sit in heel position, step and sit back in heel.
5. LLW-non heel
6. recalls with increased distraction
7. leave it/drop it
8. wait
9. shaping-this is hard for him!
10. Hand targeting
11. nose targeting a target on the ground
12. paw targeting/shake
13. tug toy training
14. retrieving

I taught Griffin, now a huge ball dog, how to retrieve using Jean Donaldson's approach of food rewards for interest and shaping a full retrieve. Zig is not responsive to Patricia McConnell's method , if I move away from him he drops the ball rather than bringing it with him when he comes to me. I'm wondering though if I use treat reinforcement if he'll detach from the ball altogether and be too focused on the treats (he loves them). I've been using a toy with a tail attached and tugging with him for bringing it back, but he doesn't do this yet as a true retrieve, just as an opportunity to get his toy. He has a tendency to want to run away with toys/stolen items. I've been working on exchanges but he doesn't yet have that "see what I have mom, isn't it cool" attitude. Potential resource guarding!!! Must work on this more. I really want him to like retrieving, so I'm torn about how to procede.

Jump grids-wonder if I can make puppy bumps from PVC pipe. Can't afford the premade ones!

Wish I had a bigger back yard. Would love to work tunnels with him but mine is so big it doesn't fit in the tiny matchbox yard I have.

Greeting people has been going so well. He is actively soliciting attention from many strangers. Still would prefer they didn't pat him on the head.

We did a play session last week at HGL with adult dogs. He was a typical puppy-tried to herd a few dogs, but took correction well, was polite to adults, played tug with a little chi/iggy mix and had fun, but dropped when he was told. I think it's good for him to interact with more socially savvy dogs rather than pups who can't tell him he's being too much.

Sometimes I feel like I've got poor training skills! It's been so long since I've had a completely untrained dog, I forget all the things he doesn't know.