The boarders ended up spending more time in their crates than usual today. I had lessons well into the afternoon but they got in a few workouts and Bear had a good day.
His day started with a game of "trainer says" with piper out in the field. Whoever performed the requested command first got the first praise (don't worry, all correct answers were rewarded). I was surprised at how well he did though he is still laying down if he gets overwhelmed and then I have to restart him. He is also still struggling with staying in a sitting position if I do an Implied Stay from a Sit, it has gotten better though.
I introduced motion commands today and in our last workout I tried something new and worked all his commands in rapid succession. This helped him because it didn't give him a chance to get overwhelmed. By the time he was finished processing the first thing we did I had moved him on to something else. By the end of the 20 minutes he had given up on his brooding and was having fun trotting next to me asking me what to do next. I will do this again tomorrow for at least one of his lessons if not only because he enjoyed it so much.
I am crossing my fingers that the weather cooperates tomorrow and the training can be pleasant. It looks like rain but it should be pretty much done by the afternoon. I will work dogs in the rain and it offers a good "real life" distraction but it does make the training room a little stinky.
I feel like I am finally seeing this guy's personality as he relaxes and enjoys the training more and more.
His day started with a game of "trainer says" with piper out in the field. Whoever performed the requested command first got the first praise (don't worry, all correct answers were rewarded). I was surprised at how well he did though he is still laying down if he gets overwhelmed and then I have to restart him. He is also still struggling with staying in a sitting position if I do an Implied Stay from a Sit, it has gotten better though.
I introduced motion commands today and in our last workout I tried something new and worked all his commands in rapid succession. This helped him because it didn't give him a chance to get overwhelmed. By the time he was finished processing the first thing we did I had moved him on to something else. By the end of the 20 minutes he had given up on his brooding and was having fun trotting next to me asking me what to do next. I will do this again tomorrow for at least one of his lessons if not only because he enjoyed it so much.
I am crossing my fingers that the weather cooperates tomorrow and the training can be pleasant. It looks like rain but it should be pretty much done by the afternoon. I will work dogs in the rain and it offers a good "real life" distraction but it does make the training room a little stinky.
I feel like I am finally seeing this guy's personality as he relaxes and enjoys the training more and more.
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