Of Wagons, Hills and Bars...........

Fizz arrived here full of confidence, and seemingly indifferent to environmental "stressors."   She is not bothered by footings, sounds, smells, movement or anything else that I've seen yet.   I saw her first startle reaction ever at class last night when a Border Terrier started yip-shrieking (egads, that noise should be illegal!), and its the only thing I've seen her react to.  Vaccuum cleaner, coffee grinder, even the commuter rail train.........she just locates the noise and walks solidly towards it.   She is an amazing girl!!   I am so thankful to Erika for doing this breeding! :)

Despite her natural confidence, I still believe it adventageous to expose Fizz to as many things as possible.  Yesterday, we decided to check out James' red wagon.   James is 3.5, and a very willing helper.   He was my wagon-puller for the beginning of the ride, and it was perfect, as he was not at all smooth in his motions with the wagon, yet even a good lurch didn't cause Fizz to leave.

After wagon rides, James helped me do restrained recalls up and down our steep front hill.  I'd hoped that she would Puppy Ping Pong between us, but apparently James doesn't command enough respect for her to go visit when I have treats (even though he had the same treats).  So I altered the plan midstride to James holding her leash, and me calling.............and then having James come to me, sit down, hold the leash, and we'd do it again, up and down the hill.

Finally, we went out back and worked ground poles for proprioception.   There were plenty of play breaks and a potty break in between sessions.....but these demonstrate how we train:  short sessions, no more than 3-5min each.   It allows me to get many things in during the day.   We're also working on tuck sits, fold-back downs, chin heeling, name game, 2 cookies game, and lots of recall/RZ reward games.

My apologies for the poor angle on the ground bar filming, I had the minitripod propped on a slanted birdhouse.   Should have brought a stool out to give some height..........next time.   Enjoy! :)

Blame it on the rain.............

well, that's what some dog trainers do.   You've heard it at trials.  "My dog didn't sit because there was a puddle in that spot."   "He doesn't work well in the rain."   or even "My dog won't go out to go potty because it's raining."  Those arguments don't hold water in this household.  Rain happens, life continues, and so does dog training. :)

I had an hour to kill between the end of Bible study and bringing James home from preschool this a.m., and it was raining out.   Having heard the predictions, I was excited to have some training time outside.   On my list of things to expose Fizz to is umbrellas.   My older dogs like to attack them, they elicit great joy.   Fizz completely ignored the umbrella that I popped open right above her.  Again.  And again.  And again, and then it bonked into her when it opened........and was flat ignored.   The food in her bag (at lunch time) was far more interesting.  I tried again later when she was not distracted by food........she could have cared less, though the metal frame did receive a good chomp after a bit.

The front yard of the church is along a busy corner at the intersection of a state highway (2 lane road) and local streets.  There are lots of big loud trucks that come through here.   She had her lunch mere feet from the road, as if that is her normal Cafe spot.  Prior to receiving her bowl, she worked chin heeling and some tuck sits to earn lunch.

After lunch we worked "sit pretty" for freeze-dried turkey liver, restrained recalls by wrapping the leash around a light pole, and then releasing as I ran off, and recalls to RZ.   Being that the ground was wet, of course we worked through fold back downs, and started adding duration to them. :)

While most of our trials will most likely be indoors, I do not want weather to be a distraction or demotivating factor for her.  We had lots of fun out in the rain, and she showed me strong work effort.  She's napping now, having had a good romp.   This afternoon she'll be coming to Emilie's Team practice for gymnastics, and meetings LOTS of new people. :)  All part of the "Insane Puppy socialization plan."