Training Addie: Session #4

Today Matt worked on down and stay at a far distance. Well, he didn't believe it was far, but it is the farthest that Addie has ever done it at.

Addie did real good. What I have noticed is that when I am training Addie on my own, she doesn't listen to me as good as she listens to Matt. So I am going to put her in "lock down" as Matt said. Addie will have a short leash on all the time. When I ask her to do something now, she will not have the option to do it or not. She will have to do as I say. I want her to have a reliable down when I say it. You never know. It could possibly save her life someday. 

While Matt was working with Addie he brought out his dog Letay for distractions. Addie did great. Matt asked about other distractions that we could try so we brought out the biggest distraction that we have in the house... LUCIE!

It worked perfectly and broke Addie out of her stay. Matt used this opportunity to reinforce down and stay. When I work Addie infront of Matt, you can clearly see some cheating that I do that I learned in obedience classes. Anyone that has trained a dog knows what I am talking about. For example, you heeling and you ask your dog sit. If Addie didn't sit right next to me I would move to her a little bit. I really didn't want to get yelled at in obedience classes but it seemed to happen a bunch anyway even when I wasn't doing anything wrong. It is a little hard to break the bad habits that I know I have, but I am learning.

And Lucie, well the entire time that Addie was training she was barking non stop in the house. Once she came out she was a mess barking and wanting all of the attention. After a little while she calmed down. I have not worked Lucie like I have worked Addie. Lucie has only attended puppy class when she was a puppy. Since I was not happy with the training classes that Addie had been in, I have not worked Lucie much outside of some basics. Hopefully my husband will let Matt train Lucie as well. It's hard to believe that she will be 9 months old on the 18th. I'm really looking forward to therapy dog work with her.