The girls go home tomorrow! We have spent the last few days working on their skills together. They walk in a heel together really nicely with no pulling and no lunging. They Sit when their handler stops almost every time unless Sydney sees something shiny and needs a little reminder. They lay down together on command but this lacks some dignity since they tend to try to lay down on top of each other but at least they end up on the ground. They are actually happier to stay and hold their Down command when they are together which isn't surprising but it tells me that their owners will want to make sure to practice the Implied Stay with the girls individually as well as together to make sure they keep gaining independence from not only their people but from each other. This is most important for Nadia who has very little confidence when she is solo.
Their house manners have been stellar the last few days. I worry that this is because Nadia is still so shy here so I will encourage her owners to call me and have me come to where Nadia is comfortable if she is a little brat when she gets home since I couldn't recreate her comfort zone here. But hopefully their good manners translate back home no problem and we just need to meet to fine tune or further their training.
One of the hardest things we have been working on outside of obedience has been patience at meal times. These girls LOVE their food and so just for fun I've been making them sit and wait until their bowls are all the way on the ground and not letting them eat until I say okay. They act completely tortured and I'm pretty sure Nadia actually thought she died at one point but they are getting better at it every meal! Any excuse to ask for self restraint is a good one so this is an exercise I will suggest her people continue at home if they didn't already.
I loved training these girls. They were fun and sweet and they reminded me of a childhood dog and so they warmed my old dog trainer heart. I look forward to their follow ups not just because it means I can get some Nadia hugs or a subby smile from Sydney. They are good girls for sure!
Their house manners have been stellar the last few days. I worry that this is because Nadia is still so shy here so I will encourage her owners to call me and have me come to where Nadia is comfortable if she is a little brat when she gets home since I couldn't recreate her comfort zone here. But hopefully their good manners translate back home no problem and we just need to meet to fine tune or further their training.
One of the hardest things we have been working on outside of obedience has been patience at meal times. These girls LOVE their food and so just for fun I've been making them sit and wait until their bowls are all the way on the ground and not letting them eat until I say okay. They act completely tortured and I'm pretty sure Nadia actually thought she died at one point but they are getting better at it every meal! Any excuse to ask for self restraint is a good one so this is an exercise I will suggest her people continue at home if they didn't already.
I loved training these girls. They were fun and sweet and they reminded me of a childhood dog and so they warmed my old dog trainer heart. I look forward to their follow ups not just because it means I can get some Nadia hugs or a subby smile from Sydney. They are good girls for sure!
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