my lesson today

[debbiej]

I say my lesson, because I got more training than Boris. We started on some attention exercises. loose lead walking, changing direction, practicing proper corrections and body language. the trainer would tell me what to do, then I would take Boris and run through it, then she'd have me put Boris up and take the lead and say "ok, I'm the dog" and holdiing the lead, instruct me on how to use body language and the lead to get the desired results. sometimes, I'd be the dog. what made me laugh was her imitation of a dog giving full attention to it's handler when I got it right. a few times when I was the dog and she was showing me how to get in 'his space' to do a left about turn, I absolutely got the idea. A few times while watching us, Boris got very excited and she said "correct him" and I said, "but he's reacting to our actions, they don't look normal to him" she said "do you want him to decide when he can act like that?" (echos of rott.net.) and a very good explaination of why dogs can't be allowed to make decisions like that. which I knew in theory but I didn't recognize it at first.

then we worked on charging in and out of gates, out of car doors, two steps away in random directions and fast sits and downs. she had me take boris in and out of the gate to the yard where her kennels were. then loose lead walking while her dogs came out and sat at her side. he didn't bark or posture once during this time.

we aren't to do heeling yet, just this attention work. but we worked on getting into heel position with hand signals. I am having a blast, so is Boris and we are both learning so much!!!

[flyballmom]

Very cool, Debbie! I LIKE her! Keep up the good work!

[debbiej]

I like her too. she is just what I needed.

[Luvs]

Debbie,
It sounds like you have a very good trainer!!! Working with someone who understands your dog makes such a big difference!

Keep up the GREAT work!!!

[jas'smom]

Sounds like you are in good hands!!! I am very happy for you!!!

[Francisca Lopez]

Hi debbiej, sounds like fun learning, who is the trainer you are working with? we live here in Cruces and are looking to continue our girl with training and have been looking around for good trainers. Are you working Boris alone in private sessions?

[debbiej]

we have our girl, Hilda in group obedience classes with Karen Wagner with Animal Friends and Boris is getting private sessions with Contender Working Dogs. CWD's also has group lessons which I will be looking into. good luck, and maybe our paths will cross at one of these places. My daughter and I own The Bean in Mesilla, stop in and say hi!

[kittycat]

Boris is a lovely name..lol..Im in love with a boris :)