Progress update on Duke

[RangerFamily]

I have a close relationship with my sister and brother in law. We go there often to visit. They have a English Bulldog that is roughly two years old. It took three visits to get the two socialized and now my sisters dog gets mad at me if I don't bring Duke with me. The first visit, my sisters dog went into attack mode thinking he was needing to protect his family. the second visit we just kept them separated, and the third we had them outside and leashed. Myself and my brother in law took turns petting each others dog as well as some stern correction on my brother in laws dog, Within minutes they were inching closer and closer and then the doggie hand shake. They had supervised play for two hours with no conflict. We still keep a close eye on them when they are together just in case. And just so it's said. Duke stayed calm, even when Gizmo was barking and growling at him. and at no point was any dog bitten by the other. We got our 10x12 dog pen set up. We have not put him in it yet. So far he has gone with us anywhere we go. We don't want to confine him to a crate, know better than to leave him at home inside and unattended but can't go with us all the time. So hopefully he will like his outside setup for when we can't take him with us. He still potty's in the house sometimes. Usually when Im at work and my wife is here with him. I think he's just used to me taking him out every 45 minutes that he has not caught on well enough to give a sign that he needs to go. My wife says he will go to the door for only a second before walking away and letting it go. Otherwise no problem when I'm home. We went outside unleashed today for the first time and he did very well. I still intend to get a training collar to use with him as they seem to be commonly recomended for working dogs. I would like some more ideas for creative training activities.

[leih merigian]

Sounds like Duke is doing well, tho I think you're shorting him and yourselves by not taking advantage of a crate in the house.

I would like some more ideas for creative training activities.

What exactly are you looking for, idea wise? Activities to do or how to train them?