We missed Week 3 last week due to a concert we already had tickets to before I signed up for the class (btw, it was Kid Rock - and it was sooo worth it!
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Anyway, this week we did different turns and things during heeling - slingshots, change of pace, circles right and left, back-up recall, about turns, u-turns, and halts - while still stressing eye contact and focus. The instructor always uses Red first to show everyone how it should be done
He did great, as usual. I need to work on my footwork through all these different maneuvers though - I really need to practice without the dog until I'm comfortable with it. I get confused about what I'm supposed to be doing, and am paying so much attention to him that I mess up. So that is my homework this week
We also did off-leash recall with distractions. The dogs sat in two rows facing each other, making an "alley", and you had to put your dog in a sit/wait at one end of the alley, return to your dog once without releasing, then go back out and complete a recall with a straight sit finish at the end. Red went first again and did great - he didn't move a muscle and wasn't paying the least bit attention to the other dogs. His finish needs work though - he won't sit straight! I did back-up recalls to try to get him straight, but he swings he butt out to the side no matter what I do! oh well, just need more practice, I guess
Good lesson this week!
Here is a pic of Red waiting his turn to practice heeling.
And here is a photo inside the facility of Red sitting by Darth Vadar and Yoda. The first time he saw these cut-outs, he growled and pulled me up to them to check them out! It was so funny
