Gosh where has September gone? Here we are at week 3 already.
The Intermediates are now really trying to keep their dogs attention during heelwork, which some are finding difficult with all the other dogs walking around at the same time. They practiced halting next to another handler and keeping their dogs attention on them. Initially handler to handler and then dog to dog. I think everyone achieved this eventually! Not an easy one.
We are now practicing the stays with minimum distraction. A few wobbly's but on the whole not bad for their first attempt.
The recall was a little eventful, we are now recalling two dogs at a time and Jock decided that the toy on the stage was just too tempting and ran past mum and managed to grab the toy which unfortunately caused Arthur, who was recalling at the same time, to think that a game was afoot and so both decided to play around. A little more work required I think!!! Everyone else - good job.
We also started practicing the down hand signal, I used Merlin to demo and did it 3 times with a lure, gave him back to Teresa and he did it first time without lure, so well done Merlin.
Beginners have done really well with their practicing at home and you could really see they have been working hard. Sue (my assistant), thought that Julie and Hector had really improved in just a week so congratulations.
This week we stopped the luring in both the sit and the down. The sit progressed really well but the down still presented a little difficulty for some of the dogs and so they will continue luring for a few more days, as there is no point in continuing until the dog has got the first step.
We started practicing 'heel' and everyone did really well with this. Whilst only practicing 3 steps this is teaching the dog where heel is. We also learnt a left U turn to get the dog that is in front of the handler back into heel position.
The 'come' was amazing, all dogs turning and returning to their handlers. This week they are now asking their dog to sit when they get to them and we had no problems there.
The 'wait' was another new exercise that we incorporated. This is such an important exercise as can be used in so many ways such as stopping at front door to get paws wiped, getting in and out of the car and at stiles or gateways.
We also continued the 'meet and greet' and all dogs were extremely well behaved and whilst not all actually sat they all were well mannered and allowed their owners to stand and talk for at least 30 secs without a problem.
We also had a new pup in class this week Lexi who is just 11 weeks and I have to say she did amazingly well so well done Vanessa.
In fact well done to everyone for all the hard work that they are putting in. Remember the work you put in now will make all the difference to the years you have ahead with your dog.
Chris
The Intermediates are now really trying to keep their dogs attention during heelwork, which some are finding difficult with all the other dogs walking around at the same time. They practiced halting next to another handler and keeping their dogs attention on them. Initially handler to handler and then dog to dog. I think everyone achieved this eventually! Not an easy one.
We are now practicing the stays with minimum distraction. A few wobbly's but on the whole not bad for their first attempt.
The recall was a little eventful, we are now recalling two dogs at a time and Jock decided that the toy on the stage was just too tempting and ran past mum and managed to grab the toy which unfortunately caused Arthur, who was recalling at the same time, to think that a game was afoot and so both decided to play around. A little more work required I think!!! Everyone else - good job.
We also started practicing the down hand signal, I used Merlin to demo and did it 3 times with a lure, gave him back to Teresa and he did it first time without lure, so well done Merlin.
Beginners have done really well with their practicing at home and you could really see they have been working hard. Sue (my assistant), thought that Julie and Hector had really improved in just a week so congratulations.
This week we stopped the luring in both the sit and the down. The sit progressed really well but the down still presented a little difficulty for some of the dogs and so they will continue luring for a few more days, as there is no point in continuing until the dog has got the first step.
We started practicing 'heel' and everyone did really well with this. Whilst only practicing 3 steps this is teaching the dog where heel is. We also learnt a left U turn to get the dog that is in front of the handler back into heel position.
The 'come' was amazing, all dogs turning and returning to their handlers. This week they are now asking their dog to sit when they get to them and we had no problems there.
The 'wait' was another new exercise that we incorporated. This is such an important exercise as can be used in so many ways such as stopping at front door to get paws wiped, getting in and out of the car and at stiles or gateways.
We also continued the 'meet and greet' and all dogs were extremely well behaved and whilst not all actually sat they all were well mannered and allowed their owners to stand and talk for at least 30 secs without a problem.
We also had a new pup in class this week Lexi who is just 11 weeks and I have to say she did amazingly well so well done Vanessa.
In fact well done to everyone for all the hard work that they are putting in. Remember the work you put in now will make all the difference to the years you have ahead with your dog.
Chris
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