Returning Trainer

The first dog I worked was Max all we did yesterday was lunge line work and random recall. I wanted to start with that first because even though a dog knowing how to sit and heel properly is great and all. However, it should know its name when called back every time haha. It is apparent that he is one of the rare Shih Tzu's that aren't little nasty's. I praise his owner for picking him because he is a smart pup its a pity he isn't a bit stupid by that I mean go chase after big dogs. I'm starting the verbal sit today I think he'll catch on after 2 or 3 days.

Next, I did Ellie we first worked on her retrieve which she is getting better at I made her retrieve it on 3 different types of surface. I didn't try grass because I didn't know what Margot considered unfair its always a 50% of me doing what I know right so I skipped grass fearing a future failure was on the other side. our fronts are getting better she is starting to realize she can't just go straight to the side behind me. Our pace changes need some work not a lot of focus but its how finishes that I have to focus on as well. Its not that she isn't do it but there not straight or she will be to far ahead or to far back. All and all I think we'll be okay June 6th for the show & go or at least I hope we are.

Lillith and I had a break through it finally occured to her that she needs to not be sloppy and pay attention to the handler working her. This applies to Jasmin who I also worked as well. Lillith oh gawd what can I say about how infuriated I get when I realize that we always have to do the same thing over and over again. I want to progress forward to more then just basic obedience I want her to do Novice work maybe even Open if her owner took the time! Sadly you can't have everything you want gotta work with the cards that were dealt. She isn't stupid on top of that like if I could redirect all that energy she spends on annoying some of the dogs she could be fantastic!

Speaking of Jasmin I've decided my plan with her is to do open work every time she comes. I was doing the broad jumps with her before and that was it. This is why I think I didn't feel like I accomplished anything after we did it. So then I thought no I have to do something like she doesn't feel brain dead or tired every time we finished the jumps. So I decided that she is going to be pretending to prep for an open obedience show. I mean to be the best you have to do your best watch the competition and then...do better :)

Lastly, I worked Pascal I need a plan with him because part of me feels like its a lost cause. Like my whole thing with him right now all I want is a focused dog that when I say come doesn't jump 5ft in the air to lick my face. I want him to sit when I tell him and down when I tell him and stay and don't move. I can do this but in all honesty it won't happen in 2 days. So I have to do the best that I can with the time given to me. So I'm going to treat it like he doesn't know what this is and I'm going to fit him into Max's schedule of training because his heeling is atrocious his sits are horrible but he is a positive at least he knows his name haha.



I worked five dogs yesterday in one day I'm pretty sure I've never done that before. I usually have 1-3 dogs in one day. My theory for taking on that many in a day is probably my need to want to get a CD on Ellie before she becomes an old fart. So were practicing everyday or that's what we were doing before my step father decided that he knew more about dog training then I do. By that I mean oh yeah bring her every other weekend so that way you miss a day and a half worth of training time. Oh, and here is the best part four weeks before the actual competition she can come everyday because during those 6 days of not working on fronts, finishes, and off lead work it will magically get fixed four weeks in advanced to perfection. I just don't think they understand I really feel like this is to much for there minds to wrap around and comprehend what I do and what is important to be able to have to be a good dog trainer. I won't lie I envy Sam for two reasons no more no less. Her family is very supportive of her and Rugby especially when she and him goto shows. Another reason is because she has a license and car I have neither thats the giant metaphorical hump in the road thats been preventing me from going to the next level as a trainer. So I had to find a solution Thursday night after class at Fido's I had a serious debate with my mom. I say debate because it was an educated argument of a clearly obvious flaw in them both. I had a valid point every single time so she couldn't do anything in other words I was right they made so much effort to watch me play sports I didn't even like but I would do them reluctantly. Yet, they can't take the time to goto shows this she retaliated with "you don't even go to shows" I then replied I would have put a CD on a dog many times over if it weren't for you YOU WOULD NEVER LET ME GO! long story short I got my point across. Not fully but it pretty much said if you really wanted to support me then maybe you should drive me there and stay to watch. This whole debate solved a 5 year problem that had been subsiding under the surface of secrecy. I personally think I'm making progress showing to them that I have a working brain that will continuously be making my functioning body more and more capable of progressive work not being a conformist of ignorant democrats that think Obama is the savior of this nation.