We are approaching the end of Dexter and Kimber's stay with us and I am very proud of how far they have come. Today they were worked both individually and together. Their foundation in obedience training is solid and while they are still goofy and have their quirks I think their owners will be pleased.
Kimber's big project today is working on her tendency to go Down when she is supposed to be in a Sit. She LOVES to lay on feet and will wiggle around until she can curl up around your ankles. She sometimes still needs a correction or some encouragement to get back into a Sit but she has gotten loads better. She is such a sweetie pie it is difficult to keep a straight face when she gets super cuddly and cute. But she only gets real affection when she gets her commands right the first try so the value of physical praise is going up for her.
Dexter worked hard on self-restraint today. He is good at his commands but holding them for a long period of time is difficult for him. He toils to stay on Place for very long (though today we got 2 hours of solid Place!) and Down/Stay is difficult around distractions. I had him hold a Down/stay next to the paddock while my sister, Caitlin, worked the little mare she is training. Dexter was very interested in the working horse but he did reasonably well holding his Down for 15 minutes. He did get up when the donkey came over near where he was laying down but it just took one correction to get him back down.
Both dogs have a difficult time leaving the cat alone when she runs from them but we have gotten to the point that I can turn them around and get them to stop chasing her as soon as they start. That basic instinct of chasing small, furry things is strong. I will recommend that when they are around skittish cats that they be on their electronic collars. We need to avoid them rewarding themselves with a fun game of catch-the-cat. The need to be rewarded for leaving the cat alone when told to.
Tomorrow we are going to take their go-home video footage and their glamour shots for the Yearbook page on the website. Go Dex and Kim!
Kimber's big project today is working on her tendency to go Down when she is supposed to be in a Sit. She LOVES to lay on feet and will wiggle around until she can curl up around your ankles. She sometimes still needs a correction or some encouragement to get back into a Sit but she has gotten loads better. She is such a sweetie pie it is difficult to keep a straight face when she gets super cuddly and cute. But she only gets real affection when she gets her commands right the first try so the value of physical praise is going up for her.
Dexter worked hard on self-restraint today. He is good at his commands but holding them for a long period of time is difficult for him. He toils to stay on Place for very long (though today we got 2 hours of solid Place!) and Down/Stay is difficult around distractions. I had him hold a Down/stay next to the paddock while my sister, Caitlin, worked the little mare she is training. Dexter was very interested in the working horse but he did reasonably well holding his Down for 15 minutes. He did get up when the donkey came over near where he was laying down but it just took one correction to get him back down.
Both dogs have a difficult time leaving the cat alone when she runs from them but we have gotten to the point that I can turn them around and get them to stop chasing her as soon as they start. That basic instinct of chasing small, furry things is strong. I will recommend that when they are around skittish cats that they be on their electronic collars. We need to avoid them rewarding themselves with a fun game of catch-the-cat. The need to be rewarded for leaving the cat alone when told to.
Tomorrow we are going to take their go-home video footage and their glamour shots for the Yearbook page on the website. Go Dex and Kim!
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