Today as I had a couple of my clients cancel their appointments. 🥲
I was able to just do a short training session with Drift.
This is a very short clip of something I have been working on with Drift on and off over the last few months.
Trying to teach him to retrieve or in fact even open his mouth and hold this dumbbell has had its challenges..!!
We have gone from him not even opening his mouth to investigate it (as he thought he had to target it with his nose) to then being able to just open his mouth a fraction...to today being able to come and pick it up and give to me. Woo Hoo!! progress.
This is not an easy exercise for Drift to do, as he loves to play with stuffed toys and tugg with me with them (or even himself) the concept that he could hold a wooden item in his mouth was very foreign to him.
Next part now is to build on it some more.
Fun fact too: I had taught this to my Alaskan Malamute and a previous Rotti many years ago for competition obedience, but had not taught it at all to any of my dogs since around 2007. It made me think a lot of how I would break it down to teach Drift.
Super happy with his effort today. 😀 Oh and we did do some scent work training too. 🥰🐾🐾
Judi Moore & Kirsty Post thank you for a great pre-school class.
Seeing both pups (sorry I only have this video of our Great Dane puppy) finally able to put his head down and sleep at the end of class. Both pups actually (Kirsty may post a video here of William showing how) he too lied down and slept at the same time.
This then allowed us all to have a good discussion on what to focus on with these pups to give them the best start to confidence building and the life they are about to embark on. 🐾🐾
As a trainer I could not be more proud of these puppies and of course their dedicated owners who show up and put in the hard work and take on board all my suggestions.💖
I really do have a fantastic job. 😍
Thank you ladies very much. 🥰
This clip of Drift at the Royal show is his turn at the Exterior search. It was much hotter in the day now and he tried very hard to do the job. He in fact did find 2 hides (my handling is awful) and we were not able to find the 3rd hide in the time allocated for the search.
Again it is great to watch these videos for learning from as well. The vehicle and exterior search were in the "Excellent" level and this was our first time at this level. So lots to learn from it all and work on for the next one. Which will be in a lot cooler weather on Sunday and a new venue for us to work in too. :-) :-)
For those that have asked how Drift went at the Royal Show - Scent Work Comp. This clip is of his vehicle search. It was earlier in the morning but still hot. He indicated eventually on the vehicle but it was not in the correct spot so he did not get to find the other 2 hides. This clip does show how hard he worked on odor on the front of the car.
The poor Judge - Fiona really with all the dogs going around the 3 cars in the heat had a tough job too. It is not until you get to see it all that you can appreciate how much is involved in not only being a competitor but also to be a judge and steward who volunteer their time too.
For my lovely clients that listen to me waffle sometimes about my boy Drift. Here is a little clip of some training i did with him in the back yard today.
So that you can all see little bits of training/teaching can just be the best fun you can have in a safe place and together with your best friend.
The very handsome "Hobbes" got to practice a lot of things in his training on Sunday.
This little clip shows him doing some calm loose lead practice (he does have a tendency to pick up EVERYTHING) at the moment.
So here he is leaving cones, ignoring himself in the window reflection and leaves and other things that can be so exciting for a teenager when out walking.
His owners are doing a fantastic job with this young boy.
It is such a pleasure to be a part of the journey with them all. 🥰🐾🐾
Chip also having fun in the sun. His turn at the ground poles. :-) He picked this up so quick :-) :-)
Fun in the sun at class today. :-) Hobbes and his introduction to cavaletti poles. Brain and Body training was the theme for today.
So proud of him and his effort today.
A little something i did with Drift today. Took a towel (not one he has ever had) and placed it down quite a distance away from us. Then asked him to do his "place" exercise. this is his first attempt at it. :-)
Why did i do this? To help build independence and his ability to not rely on me being close to him and telling him what to do all the time. Very happy with his work. 🥰
Kirsty & Trouble
Had the pleasure of helping a friend Kirsty and her gorgeous Sheltie "Trouble" learning some Rally O. This is a little clip of a run through to get the feel for what it is about and shows what we need to work on with both dog & handler.
For Trouble to actually do this with me videoing is a massive effort. He normally canot do much when i am present (with a camera).
So very proud of Kirsty and her taking on baord what we discuss and try.
Recall practice today. This lovely Rottie pup ..aced it!! So good to come away from me and food happily back to his owner. :-)
A little of the recall training. :-)
Finding the hide on the wall :-)
Some short video of a very unplanned set up for some scent work training on the way home from a client appointment today.
The first hide was hidden under a leaf in the crack in the ground.
The second one is awesome to see the quick turn Drift gave when he scented it. Video is not great as i was holding the phone and had his lead on the ground (on purpose) so that i was not inadvertently heading him toward either of the hides whilst trying to video 😂😂
Teaching wonderful owners to also engage with other owners in an appropriate way and teaching puppies at the same time :-)
I had so much fun with these fantastic owners and pups.
Some fun learning parallel walking and focus on owners. These two dogs and owners had the best time. :-)
Domino
I had the pleasure to meet the very handsome "Domino" as well. He was a superstar trying out all the new things. Gave a good try at the skateboard.
