Nothing too exciting to report – Beau and I are still working on our Open skills. He is close to proofed with command discrimination, broad jump, and drop on recall. I have been lax on our heeling skills in class but have been working on them during our everyday adventures. The dumb bell is slooooowww going, although twice yesterday, I tossed it about 3 feet away and he BROUGHT IT BACK both times and waited for me to give the “give it” command. A huge victory for such a small thing, but I will take it. I’ve been consuming content from Connie Cleveland and Top Dog on this skill and have been implementing some techniques. It feels like we will struggle with this for months more and then, one day, he will surprise me and actually be interested in it. Time will tell.

I continue to look for tricks to teach him, so if you have any ideas, let me know. I did just teach him “cutie” and it is pretty cute. Beau Debuts a New Trick! – Washington, D.C., USA

We have been enjoying the mild weather and taking lots of long walks and I have been seeking out locations that will have dogs. The situation still has to be managed (and likely always will) but it is so amazing to see him check in with me for direction instead of defaulting to the demonic yodel.

Some may consider me too rigid with Beau but I have noticed that having a structure of calm before we even leave the building is critical. When we rush and don’t take time to wait at the door, do some skills in the elevator, pop a double down in the lobby, play some quick heeling games in the hallway, etc. the over-arousal is practically guaranteed. This carries over when we drive somewhere. Having him hold a down in the car before and when I open the door is key. He has to remain calm before I put his leash on and remove his seatbelt harness. If he pops up, I stop and wait it out.

Here are a few recent photos, including my new stickers on my training class notebook (good lord, I’ve reverted to 7th grade….where’s my Trapper Keeper? 

As always, thanks for sharing our journey!

Running some errands at Blue Mercury