Advanced Beginner's Agility Week 6

Well, Chandler did get a little stimulated and barky over the dogs going through the tunnels, but it was overall a good night. The steering problems seem to be settling down, and I was also able to send him over two jumps and onto a table just with verbal directions. The main sticking point is the weaves, which he hasn't really learned yet.

Advanced Beginner's Agility Week 5

Hmm...Chandler must be improving, because I have less to talk about.
I reinforced him some more for going over jumps, which does tend to make him get in front of me then whirl around. ("Wasn't that great Mom?") But we were much less lost on the course. He did launch himself off the side of the a-frame once, and twice off the baby dogwalk. I think I might have caused that, because he started climbing it earlier in the class when he wasn't supposed to, and I told him "off". So he probably got into his head that he was supposed to go partway up then leap off. Oh well.

Plus we still have to really learn to do the weaves. It's a bit tough with none at home to practice with. Hopefully I'll be able to borrow some that belong to a friend.

Happy Birthday Rowan!

14 years of being an utter brat, and still not slowing down!

Advanced Beginner's Agility Week 4

Overall, it was a better week. Honestly, I slacked off on training Chandler except for attention exercises, and it seems to have helped. Maybe it was the two week hiatus because of the snow cancellation.

Anyway, we got there early, and I took him into the bathroom so he wouldn't be overly stimulated by the previous class finishing their lesson. I took this time to do a bunch of "look at me, and then go find the thrown treat, and then look at me, and then go find the thrown treat...etc...etc exercises. The upshot is that he was more focused on me in class, and we had less whining and crying because we were busy working on his attention. His steering ended up being a little better too, and now that I finally had some time to watch the other students, at least some of them have similar problems, so I don't feel too bad.

Now I can't wait for next week.

It's a good thing the neighbors like him...

Chan did a little breaking and entering today. Or at least entering, I don't think breakage was involved. BAD dog, regardless. I guess this is part of the curse of having a curious, intelligent pet, although frankly, I think he's been waiting for his chance because he's run up to this neighbor's front step several times, and wagged at the front door.

Anyway, we were out for our afternoon walk and ran into Mrs H., and her family's elderly but spry miniature poodle. As we were talking, another neighbor, Mrs. G, was returning up the street to her house. Mrs. G had her son's Newfoundland with her, as they are apparently dog sitting this weekend. Chan loves the newfie, so I let him off leash to zoom around the H's front yard with the other dog. After a bit, I look away to help with the poodle who can't be off leash, and when I look back, Chandler has disappeared.

I call his name a few times, and he doesn't come, which is odd, so I walk down the driveway to check the back yard. Nothing. As I turn to go back to the front yard, I notice Mrs. H has left the door between the garage and the house open.

Yes, Chandler must have seen his chance, and shot into the garage and straight into the house. He did finally come when called-straight down the stairs to the house's basement and the exit to the garage. Oh yes...he was also grinning and had a stolen rawhide in his mouth. I expect that Mrs. H found her poodle's dog bowl was empty when she finally got upstairs.

*sigh* He's such a goofball.