Patreon Community: Eye on Ion with Shade Whitesel
Raising a Working Line Dog Week by Week
See what Ion is up to 3X a week, starting from his first week home and continuing throughout his life and sports career.
Photo Credit: Jacelyn Young
Why Join Eye on Ion…
This page was originally formed because I felt there was a need for knowledge on how to raise a highly motivated puppy without being overly permissive or without squashing their personality. Ion is a young working line German Shepherd Dog and he comes with all the intense feelings and behaviors that a puppy of his genetics should come with.
Evidently I had a lot to say. The reality of teaching these awesome dogs is much more nuanced than “correct it out of them” or “let them have all the choices”. I post 3 times a week and here are some concepts I’ve already covered that you can find in the Collections bundle, you can easily click on the age hashtag (12 weeks, etc..) or skill hashtag (crating/management) to review past posts.
Crating, Management
Traveling skills
How to take food without biting my hand off!
Teaching toy play
What to do during firework season
Veterinarian visits and how to make them fun
Things that have come up like navigating stairs, staying out of the trash, not attacking the trash can (or being scared of) when I’m moving it out to the curb
What To expect from Eye on Ion
As I was keeping detailed notes on Ion’s week to week experiences, the page started to include more of what ALL dogs needed to survive in this world, and my thoughts and “training recipes” on common challenges like reactivity and coming inside when called.
Ion is now almost 4 years old and the Patreon page has morphed into posts that include answering dog training questions from Patrons, training challenges with video feedback and updates on Ion’s sport and life skills, successes and struggles.
Past training Challenges that you can still request video feedback on:
Down stay
Reactivity protocols / recipes
Arousal entering your skill training or life skills
Ear Cleaning/Cooperative Care
Loose leash walking
And more!
What I’m sharing now
This page is the most detailed access to me, where you can directly ask for advice on dog training challenges that you are having with YOUR dog.
I’m planning on continuing with this kind of stuff and adding more along the lines of:
Sport skills
Skill challenges with Patron participation and my feedback
Recalls off of wildlife
Challenges that Ion still has-he's not perfect!
Trial Results-Ion has his IGP 2 and we're working hard on IGP 3 and AKC obedience skills
And whatever else comes up in Ion’s life!
Hope to see you soon!