Absolutely HEROIC effort from my class today to get in to the field to train. Alas, though, the flood water is still rising and will probably peak in the next day or so before receding.
Despite managing today, as the water was still rising when I left, carrying on is not feasible: the water will likely be over welly height in places by the morning, the ground underneath is uneven so unsafe for people to wade across and the water is cold. With temperatures set to drop, getting dogs soaked on the way in to the field is just not sensible.
I will take one day at a time and contact bookings - please donโt contact me all at once about your sessions as Iโm also fielding sign up enquiries for obedience and Christmas backlog (still!). I promise I will let you know a plan; either to reschedule or relocate to another venue.
Once there is a safe path of access again we can resume normal serviceโฆ ๐ซ
Thank you ๐๐ป
Otto and Tara
Some lovely work from Otto and Tara yesterday.
Walk manners: if I stop, the boys stop.
From day one dogs should learn that a walk is something we do together, itโs not just about the lead coming off and them heading off on their own. Checking in is crucial and always rewarded.
This Saturday afternoon class is a new group created from two existing smaller ones. Iโm so pleased with how the dogs have adjusted to the changed dynamics of new dogs and people in their class. Today, we did lots and lots of paired work, with the dogs and handlers teaming up on a range of obedience, steadiness and retrieve exercises alongside a fellow class member.
Working in pairs really tests the dogsโ focus on their handler as well as meaning they are kept busy and working for longer in a session, building their stamina for sustained brain work.
Here, Buddy and Otis are completing a paired steadiness and recall exercise. These two dogs hadnโt even met before today!
Fair play to everyone who came out and trained todayโฆ
This beginner group are on session 4. Today we extended the cone exercise, checked in on their retrieving and used the heeling square to advance their formal heel, as well as using it for some steadiness exercises. Those basics are now looking pretty solid. ๐ช๐ป
Good work, everyone!
We didnโt mind the rain at all this morning!
My last session today was with the lovely @antics_of_arch who is just coming on SO well. It was a lovely, varied session with some technical work involving blinds, distraction dummies and recall away from marks. We finished by introducing Archie to the dummy launcher and he had a fantastic time stretching his legs.
Doing nothingโฆ a nice chilled lunch break at the fieldโฆ
Everything is marvellous until one of your dogs gets FOMO ๐
We had great fun introducing the I Launcher to this group of dogs in the morning sunshine. ๐พ
Today was a proud day! Lovely Alfie has been with me for a while as we worked on his resource guarding issues. After months of work he has moved from growling and snapping over his toys to holding, carrying and releasing politely. Today, we tried him with retrieving for the first timeโฆ ๐คฉ
This is a huge behavioural transformation and his owners should be hugely proud of how far he has come.
I am totally spoiled with gorgeous puppies at the moment ๐
This is the lovely Duke, who is also working through the Manners Not Mayhem content with me. Heโs coming on a treat already and this recall from distraction is absolutely superb for such a little puppy.
My last puppy course of the year has two spaces remaining. DM for more info ๐๐พ
Another day, another labrador puppy ๐
Loose lead and recall for young Goose this afternoon.
Look at this gorgeous little labrador puppy learning loose lead walking; heโs only 3 months old! We use U-Turns, hoops and poles to help the little ones engage with the lead and the handler. Well done, pup!
Yesterday may have been hideous weather, but we ALWAYS practise those all important basics. ๐พ๐พ
Some advanced handling with Zappa this afternoon. I canโt believe he will be two on Sunday!
Marked retrieve - stop - distraction - go back - get on for distraction.
Very pleased with his stop on the outrun and his go back on my weaker arm. He loses the second dummy in the long grass for a while but soon finds it! ๐พ
A shame I cut myself out of shot ๐
