Every evening, Brixton and I take a walk in the local park which is home to six soccer fields, two volleyball courts, a walking path, two basketball courts, and a football field. The number of games, patrons, dogs, and sounds changes every time; and, offers a wealth of experiences with which to train around.
The first time we walked around the park, Brixton wasn't sure what to make of the unfamiliar noises, so we played games around the edge of the park where he was far enough from the stimuli to relax and concentrate on fun. During our second walk, Brixton was much more curious, as we previously paired rewards with unknown sounds and people. He spent a good amount of time watching the various games and then taking rewards - always ensuring that we were at a distance that he could operate in, making the positive associations that will be so crucial later in life.
Being a puppy, sometimes new objects could be concerning (such as signs, tractors, soccer balls, etc). Brixton and I had fun using targeting behaviors to create positive associations with investigating new things, and I was so proud of him this evening when he went up to the "weird and maybe scary" branch, nose touched, and looked up at me for his reward.
Tonight, Brixton happily played tug with me while in the presence of a super rowdy kids soccer game, next to a busy basketball court, and while strangers walked past. All of these confidence-building games that we are playing are encouraging happy and comprehensive socialization, and we'll continue to make life a blast in as many new situations as we can. All the way being mindful about the value and quality of each experience for him!
