Real life training update

Well!

Since Lexx is no longer in obedience classes ( last one was on Tuesday) he is no longer learning "ring" obedience. This however, in no way means that his learning is finished.

Last night, after visiting his favourite place ever ( the vet) to get his blood work done ( down another 200 dollars...sigh...) Kyle decided that he should get his hair cut for his meeting today.

I assumed that dobermans might not be welcomed in the hair dresser, so I took the opportunity to walk Lexx in the city. It has to be understood that we live in the country. There are lots of dogs and houses and things, but nothing like "downtown". NO buses, no street lights, no malls. Not a lot of traffic.

Lexx's walking has been so incredibly fantastic as of late, I haven't even picked up a choke or prong collar in the last...4 months, but I had zero expectations for his behaviour with such a high threshold of distraction.

Off we went down the main street, cars whizzing by, buses squealing, people on the road and trot trot trot my little lexxball went with his allowed 3 feet of leash loopy and flopping back and forth. We did investigate some deliciously tempting smells, causing the leash to become tight, but no dragging, no wandering in front of mommy's path.

Some interesting possible friends waiting at the bus stop seemed interesting, but one quick AHAH from me and we were on our way. No straining to sniff, no veering towards everyone. We sat and waited for the light to change and walked along the front of a mall. He was so good! Trotting along, looking back and forth and a bit more pully than I would like, but definitely very good overall.

We started to ignore people all together ( though they certainly didn't ignore us...) until.. we saw him. The little 5ish year old boy in a bright orange jacket. He was with his mom and he was DEFINITELY a friend. MUST...SEE...CHILD....
I tightened my leash a wee bit and reminded Lexxball that we were here to WALK to to meet friends.. continue on our way please. Then those golden words "MOMMMYYY cannn I pettt thatttt pupppyyyyy" and Lexx's ears went up. MOM? MOM? friend???

I said, would he like to pet the puppy? He's very friendly! The mother agreed and told her son to move slowly and place his open hand out gently so that Lexx could sniff. What a responsible parent. I saw a glimmer of fear for her small child's life when he reached his hand towards the big bad doberman... but lexx stayed still ( as still as wiggle dog gets) and allowed him to pet his head. Then, lexx reached out and licked his hand. Kisses for the friend in the orange jacket.

We headed on our way and they on theirs, but Lexx had a bigger bounce in his step. He so loves children.

We waited at lights with people next to us, no sniffing, no pulling, no whining. He was so good. We headed back to pick up dad and had to wait outside of the barber for awhile. Lexx hates waiting, its his nemesis.. he's go go go all the time. Waiting means whining and complaining.

In conclusion, he was so good... but we need to work on waiting!

What a good boy!