I'm so proud of Nike today, I just have to share his good news. We attended an obedience workshop at the training club today, as I wanted to test Nike's skills and see if he's comfortable enough to take a class. He was very nervous at the beginning, but visibly relaxed as the workshop went on, and was heeling very nicely at the end! I was so impressed with his heeling, he was moving right with me, turning and offering automatic sits. And you could just see on his face that he LOVES obedience!
The BIGGEST moment though was during a "pass your dog" exercise we all did during the workshop. This was very important to me, as I have long questioned if Nike will ever be able to do the stand for exam, so that we can trial to his CD. In this game today, I had to pass Nike off to a fellow handler, and I was so worried, because he's still very nervous about strangers approaching him. To my shock and awe, Nike ended out laying down next to his handler, and was actually letting her pet him! I literally almost started crying in the middle of the workshop I was so overwhelmed at how far he has come.
For those who may not know Nike's story, he is a rescue, and was extremely extremely shy from the start. I don't know what was in his past, but it has been a long road of love and training to get him to be comfortable around people. Nike has gone from a dog who was terrified of anyone approaching him (he would run, hide, do anything to get away), to the relaxed dog I saw today!
I'm SO proud of him. He's come such a long way with people, and has made leaps and bounds at overcoming his fears! It's amazing to see his progress, and to know that he IS improving, and I couldn't be happier.
Thanks for letting me share!
The BIGGEST moment though was during a "pass your dog" exercise we all did during the workshop. This was very important to me, as I have long questioned if Nike will ever be able to do the stand for exam, so that we can trial to his CD. In this game today, I had to pass Nike off to a fellow handler, and I was so worried, because he's still very nervous about strangers approaching him. To my shock and awe, Nike ended out laying down next to his handler, and was actually letting her pet him! I literally almost started crying in the middle of the workshop I was so overwhelmed at how far he has come.
For those who may not know Nike's story, he is a rescue, and was extremely extremely shy from the start. I don't know what was in his past, but it has been a long road of love and training to get him to be comfortable around people. Nike has gone from a dog who was terrified of anyone approaching him (he would run, hide, do anything to get away), to the relaxed dog I saw today!
I'm SO proud of him. He's come such a long way with people, and has made leaps and bounds at overcoming his fears! It's amazing to see his progress, and to know that he IS improving, and I couldn't be happier.
Thanks for letting me share!
