Thanks for the congrats.
Well, yesterday was our first day in the more "advanced" group, I actually came in near the end, so, since next Tuesday is the last day for all training until February, I will attend, but then, start in earnest in February, in the meantime, I will practice all I have been taught.
Anyway, the first 15 minutes, I wanted to cry, I felt so confused and Laddie forgot all he had learned, however, as I got use to the group and the instructor, I did a wee bit better, but, LOL, not much. They work at a much faster pace, do lots of "heel" work, halts with the dog sitting next to the handler, left turns and "about faces" which really confused me. Ahahahah, when he said turn left, I made a complete turn left in a circle, he explained to just turn, well, again, I did a complete circle, Steve was watching and he said Ken, the instructor, just looked at me, then smiled. He said "this is the class where folks get embarrassed" then he showed me what he wanted, then, I got it, man, I WAS embarrassed. He is very patient however, and works more on a one on one in certain areas. He had us doing fast walks, slow walks, walks with lots of halts, sit, stay, extended sit and stay, wait, come, down and wait. Laddie had a hard time, he did not want to wait and kept following me. Since I am new however and they are at the end of the program, so to speak, he had me walk just a few paces, the rest walked almost to the center of the ring. Finally Laddie started to "wait" and "come". He is getting there, but, we have lots of work between now and February. He seems to like it, but as usual, cried the entire time and pull pull pull. UGH. Ken said he cries because he is insecure, that I need to take him in public when training or even to the dog park where classes are so he gets use to the smells, etc. so, I plan on doing that. I really love it though, I was afraid at first, now, I like it better than the beginner class, I like how it goes non-stop, we really work in this group, I think it will be good for both Laddie and I.
Today, I took him to a large, vacant, shaded lot and we worked on what we were taught, he did really well, but, he has a hard time sitting at the heel when we stop, so, I am working on that. When I did the "sit" "stay" I walk a few feet away and then back, he did real well, he broke a few times, but all in all, I was pleased. When I did the "wait" "come" he responded. Ken said when we get to the spot where we stop after we leave the dog, we turn around, sort of spread our legs so he can sit between them, hold the treat and enthusiastically say "here" or "come" It did seem to work.
We also took a nice walk today with his harness, he is still pulling, but, that may be the last thing he stops. All in all, I am very pleased with yesterdays' class and todays' training.
I got this little pouch on a belt that I wear around my waist now when training, I keep his treats in there, LOL, I am now really an official "dog" person and trainer. Love it.
Well, that is all for now, will keep you posted. Hope everyone is having a nice day. It is hot here, man, sure does not seem like Christmas.
