Training class-Oct 11th 2008

Lexx had a private lesson today. Last time we were there he was such a MESS that we decided that maybe a private lesson was in order.

Started out with some "calming" walking, when he gets anxious he fights everything, you, the leash, the prong collar... it turns into a disaster and you just have to work through it, walk forward in a confident but consistent way until he gets a clue and calms down. It didn't take long when he was alone, less distractions and less thinking with his male parts than his brain.

Heeling work went well and his focus was bang on. His lateral movements to the right are becoming smooth with my shoulders actually controlling the movement of his hind end, enabling him to track sideways in a straight fashion. For some reason the left is harder for both of us, but we're working on it, hopefully next class we'll have that one down too.

Worked on his send out today, sending him around a barrel and back to me. Surprisingly this went alright today, but I think he REALLY wanted the steak in my pocket and figured out that he only got it when he went AROUND the barrel, not beside it and back.

Continuing working on his stupid sits. Its difficult since he gets so anxious about them and it ruins a nice heel. Eventually we had him doing them every so often, but I still can't get him doing them close together ( ie I have to walk a LONG way between them ) or he starts to get upset about it. He still twists his bum out and tries to BACK into them, leaving him too far behind my leg. I've been leaning down and scooping his bum under him while holding and rather right leash so he cant back up. Its working slowly, but this is one thing that i find very frustrating and slow. I just don't understand how HE DOESN"T GET IT. Working on the "get in" should help this, atleast that way i can correct if he sits too far. I just wish that he'd do it the first time, every time.

tracking went well today, considering this dog can't find a treat that you drop right in front of him on a tile floor, finding things in grass should be hopeless, but hes actually moderately skilled at it. We definitely need to practice, but I think this will be a good training break for him as he seems to enjoy it.

overall i'd rate this class 7/10 for his behaviour, definitely still needs a lot of work, but he is getting there.