Novice Obedience - Week 2
Tonight was quite the challenge. Riot is still having issues focusing, but I think he’s getting better. I also think I need to bring yummier treats or find a way to work toys in as rewards better — I’ve never been good with toy rewards in obedience classes and Cisco and Berkley would always work for their kibble. Riot was not that thrilled with the pumpkin treats he had last week.
We’re still having trouble with our circle work and need to practice. Hopefully Sunday will be nice enough that we can go work outside. I’m planning on taking him to the local dog park and working in the grassy area outside of the park — starting at the far end away from the park and working closer to where the dogs are.
I got lots and lots of tips this week for fixing things — crooked sits and fronts, his sphinx downs where his elbows are on the verge of coming up, etc. And getting him to slow down on approach for his recall. Right now, it’s pitter-patter, pitter-patter, slide, halt. I’m glad he’s so enthusiastic, but the slide into the front is a bit much.
Our stand for exam needs some work too. He’s doing some foot shifting I need to fix and someone other than me touching him? Oh it’s way to exciting. The instructor was able to walk around him with me six feet away. The actual exam part we’re going to have to work up to.
Obedience class is far more frustrating for me than agility. It’s harder because I don’t know a lot of the rules and there is a precision that is expected of you that isn’t there in agility or rally. But it’s a great learning experience for us both.
