What a difference a week makes!

[sian]

Well, certainly in dog-training!

We were back to the normal teacher this last Saturday....

She noticed that we were doing lots of extra bits whilst sitting around waiting, and nodded approval, rather than glaring at us.

We didn't sit around a lot, but did lots of different things.

Cassie got to lead the line, which meant that she stepped out, and was happily trotting to heal. (It also meant that she was not struggling to catch up to the next dog, but settled....)

Recall was good, as I was allowed to handle my puppy. She broke her sit just before I recalled her. Instead of taking over, the instructor said "Nearly! So nearly - try again!", and we were fine 2nd time. (She also picked up that I was using "Wait", not "Stay", and didn't tell me off for it, as happened last week)

We actually got to have off-lead play with other puppies (the main reason we go!)

And finally....
We're moving up to the next class next week, so we get to do some new stuff!!

Yippee!!

[marjolein]

Well done Izzy!!! How is Cassie btw Sian?

[sian]

yes - I'm so pleased, Marjolein!

Cassie is doing well. She's started growing some undercoat on the operation area, so she'll soon be soft and fluffy again. It does make me realise how long it takes normally for her coat to grow!! She's able to increase her exercise, and so her back legs are strengthening up again. Basically, life is good again!

[marjolein]

GREAT!!!

[greyghost]

Good news Sian. I hate it when people make you feel like an 'underdog' if you'll excuse the pun ;D.

[sian]

Suddenly realised I hadn't told you all how we got on in the new class....

Well, to start with, we lasted out the whole hour (yippee!!)

We did heelwork (Izzy was last in the line, so not as good as last week) We were a little slow to do the stop-sit and stop-down, but that was more to do with the fact the instructer was giving the instructions facing the other way, in Dutch. But when she repeated them facing us (at the "back"), we got on fine.... (good job my Dutch is up to heelwork!!)

We did walking around the others; as good as ever.

Then we did an extended obstacle course, some of which Izzy found a little difficult. But we were ok!

Finally, we had to do it all again, but this time off-lead.... Ummmm. I haven't done a lot of off-lead heelwork. But we did a little on the introductory session, so the instructor said "I know Izzy can do it, so you don't need to go into the other field to practice" Well, we were fine, I'm glad to say!

The embarassing thing is - at the end, I was shattered. I put Izzy in the boot, and went to start up the electrics, to get some cool air in the car (it was reading 30 degrees)... Well, I forgot I'd still got the boot open, and reversed, and started to drive off!!! How embarassing was that?!!! Izzy just lay there - she's always secured by a line in the boot. I was mortified!!

[greyghost]

Onward and upward Sian. There is a great exercise in that gundog book you have for stop sits with some good tips.

Bit of a senior moment was it with the boot of the car then OOOPS

[sian]

Well, they did say the previous week that Izzy might find the full hour too much....

... instead, I think I did! In my defence, it was hot. But there is no excuse....