Bonkers for Sadie: Suddenly Shy?

Friday, February 4, 2011

Suddenly Shy?

I'm not quite sure what was up last night but it was definately not our best night. For some reason Sadie was very tense and was acting more like Bella, being all shy and afraid. The only thing I can think was that it has been windy, maybe the weather had her on edge?

Since next week is our last class, kind of a "graduation", this week we spent most of class reviewing everything. She did the heeling exercises OK, though she was a bit distracted and I caught her lagging on our turns a few times. But she broke every single stay last night, like really broke, not just moved a few inches but totally got up and tried to walk away the other direction - its a good thing we were all onleash! She moved out of one sit stay, two down stays and a stand stay! Mostly she broke when Trainer Guy approached to walk by and once when he was trying to call her to him (he does this on purpose to see if they are going to listen to the handler or just anyone - they should only listen to their handler).

On a more positive note she did two beautiful recalls and this time I didn't get accused of baiting her with treats. She also did fairly well with the new exercise which was the "finish", I think this is one of my favorite exercises because it looks awesome when the dog is siting in front of you until you give the command to "finish" or "heel" (I use the latter) and the get up, walk to the right around behind you and come to a sit in heel position. I remember teaching this to Bella, thinking that she'd never get it but then being so proud when she began to do it on her own beautifully. No doubt Sadie will pick up on it and be doing it on her own soon as well. Even though we as a class never learned the "Swing" command I've been working her on it and she already almost does this on her own. "Swing" is the exact opposite of the "finish" or "heel", it's where they swing their butts around to the left and sit in heel position, instead of walking around to the right and behind you. Both exercises look pretty cool when they are done by and experienced dog/handler.

Anyway we do have our work cut out for us this week if we want to be ready for "graduation" next week. Somehow I have to find people to approach, walk around her while I practice her sits. Unfortunately I don't have anyone that Sadie is unfamiliar with to help me on this. I may try her at the park or Petco or something like that this weekend...

1 comment:

JenFebruary 4, 2011 at 5:20 PM
Um... those darn Santa Annas??
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Novice Obedience Exercise Descriptions

Heel on Leash: Dog and Handler work as a team, the leash must be loose and held in a natural position. Orders for this exercise are: "Forward", "Halt", "Right turn", "Left turn", "About turn", "Slow" "Normal" and "Fast".

Stand for Examination: The dog stands in position before and during the examination without displaying resentment. Handler is instructed to "stand your dog and leave when you are ready", after positioning the dog the handler stands with dog in heel position, give the command/signal to stay and walk straight forward approximately 6 feet and then turn and face the dog. The judge will approach the dog from the front, using the fingers and palm of one hand, the judge will touch the dogs head, body and hindquarters. Judge will then give the command "back to your dog", handler returns to heel position. The dog must remain still until judge has said "exercise finished".

Recall: The dog must stay where left unitl called by handler and then must respond promptly when the handler commands or signals them to come. On order from the judge the handler will give the command/signal for the dog to stay in the sit position. Handler will then wakl forward to the other side of the ring with arms hanging naturally. On the judges order handler will command or signal the dog to come. Dog must come at brisk pace and sit stright, centered directly in front of handler. On judges order handler will give the dog the command/signal to finish. Dog must move quickly to heel position and sit.

Finish: Dog is directed to "swing" it's hind end around to the left to come to the heel position and then sit, or "heel" around to the right and behind the handler and come to the heel position and then sit.

Sit/Stay & Down/Stay (Group Exercises): The dog must remain in either the seated position or the down position, whichever is required by the particular exercise. The dogs will line up in catalog order along one side of the ring. The leash is removed and placed with the handlers armband behind the dog. Handlers are instructed to "sit your dog" or "down your dog", and then "leave your dog". The handler will walk across to the other side of the ring and stand in a natural position across from the dog until the judge orders them to "return to your dog". Any dog that leaves the place where it was left during the first group exercise will be given an "NQ" and excused from the remaining group exercise.