I knew today was coming, and I'm glad it's over.
I have had a trainer come to the house for a few private lessons, waiting until she had enough folks together for a class. Gypsy works so well here, alert, quick responses, quick to learn. But I knew that this was all for nought, if she couldn't do anything around distracting dogs in a strange setting.
Today was the first day for dogs. Last week was dogless introduction (which I had already gotten in the private lessons).
The trainer is great, and has a Rotti herself. She enjoys helping with Gypsy. So, she was fairly understanding when, in one of many attempts to reach the yapping Cocker Gypsy lunged and dragged my rather substantial self onto the ground on my stomach, into freshly cut grass!
So we made a few alterations: I used her leathr training lead and we let my (former) puny nylon lead dangle on the ground--to be stepped on in the event of lunge.
Ha-ha-ha. What a Rotti can't do when she wants to. The second time the scenario was identical with the exception of the dangling lead. I was trying to load treats into the treat bag (while standing on one lead and holding the other & the bag?!?) when off she went again. I must have been quite a sight, TWICE no less.
I must say that she never got away from me. I was determined to hold on to the lead for dear life and did. Thank goodness we were separated from the Cocker by about 20 feet.
I knew I would have a time getting her accustomed to a paddock full of strange dogs, but certainly didn't expect to provide the evening's entertainment!
And, do you know--not one of the other owners laughed out loud. I can only imagine how comical looked.
Glad it's over--and we got our own leather lead and a Gentle Leader at the end of class.
Now I know this must have happened to someone else!?!
Frau
Still laughing at myself