Wednesday, May 9, 2012

While still having hip issues, I decided to try taking Chloe for a walk anyway, using lessons from last night's class.  We first stepped outside and she did a weird pull to get out of the collar and continued to pull and back out.  I've never seen her do this before, so I calmly got her back inside, removed the leash, went about my business, then tried again.  Thinking back, I probably should have kept her on the leash.  Anyway, she did well, we did right turns and left turns along the way.  Then we were approaching a construction area with a guy getting out of his truck to open a gate.   She became very focused on him, we did a right turn, walked, left turn approached the truck a little closer, she was still very focused on him so we repeated this about 4 times getting closer each time until we passed him with no barking/lunging.  I think I'm getting it, slowly, very slowly!!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

I've lost my first post in cypberspace, so I'll try again.  After meeting with Peggy last week, one year old Chloe and I have begun making some adjustments with various levels of success.  I realized that while I was working on her sit stay at the front and back doors, I was allowing her to "bolt" into the backyard and through the garage entrance.  What I heard Peggy (in my head) say, was "sometimes ok and never ok", bolting out the door is never ok, we are focusing on "sit, wait, look at me, let's go" when we go out the door.  She sat in a "stay" in the doorway while my daughter went in and out loading her car in the driveway, which I found impressive.  I have a hard time getting her to make eye contact when she is intent on getting out to her toy and job of ridding the yard of squirrels, bunnies and birds.  I've worked on short periods in the crate while I'm home, this is going to be a long process!  Other success, she went to the potty area on her own ONCE!!!  It's a start!!