Ripley and Ruby Board and Train day 8

The kiddos are doing fine. Ruby is still working on Heel when she has her leash off but it isn't in the way that most dogs struggle with it. Usually the dogs struggle with the impulse to bounce off and play but she actually seems very uncertain when she isn't wearing a leash. I think she likes the comfort that it gives her that when wearing a leash she can't make a mistake because she can simply follow the leash. When she must rely on herself to make that happen I think it stresses her out because sometimes I will have her in a Heel and suddenly I will look back and she has stopped 10 feet ago and is sitting there looking like she thinks she may have made a mistake. Bless her heart if she is dragging a leash she doesn't struggle with this as much. The cure is more practice and lavish praise when she gets it right.
Ripley is doing a bit better with the Heel than Ruby but he hesitates quite a bit if Ruby is in the kennel and we are walking away. He is very devoted to her and doesn't like walking off from her. He will do it but very reluctantly.
He is also making mistakes here and there because he tries to anticipate what I am going to ask him to do and so when I am planning to have him to a Sit/Stay he assumes I am going to ask him to lay down and does so prematurely. But he corrects easily and we can get him back on task quickly.
They are wrapping up soon. I have a few more days to try to get Ruby a bit more confident and clean up both of their obedience commands. Luckily they are both rockstars at Come and at their radius training which is the most fun for them. Placemat is also fun for them because it involves snuggling in their bed. Tomorrow we are going to start filming their go-home video and we are going to keep practicing.