So what has me and dad done this weekend…..
Yesterday morning dad dropped me off at the pooch day care place for a couple of hours – usually me only goes for an hour. The hooman who looked after me the first time was there this time and she’s nice. Me barked when dad left but me soon started playing with some of the other pooches there and me had lots of fun. Me knows that dad doesn’t do it to get rid of me – he’s just doing it in a safe way to help me build my confidence. Me heard his voice when he came back and me was super happy to see him. He does luv me and me is starting to realise it’s OK if we are not together sometimes as he won’t ever abandon me. Little safe baby paw steps. Nice hooman said my confidence was increasing and showing.
Yesterday afternoon we went for a long walk around the roads and alleys. Mix of short and looonnnng lead. We met a few dogs – some were very grumpy! On the way home we went past a grass area that wasn’t secure so me stayed on the long lead. Two other older dogs were running and playing ball – me played and ran with them (dad did ask their hoomans if it was OK first). We had lots of fun sniffing and playing – no barking from any of us.
Another dog walked past the fence and my two little playmates barked loudly at it, even though they hadn’t barked at me. Just goes to show that not every pooch likes other pooches and we don’t have to!
Today we did one of the outdoor training walks – there was only 3 pooches so we did all the exercises and things on long leads to get us practicing for off lead with other pooches nearby. Me did well and focused on dad a lot – we needs a bit more practice walking to heel on a long lead so that’s homework for next week. When we got wet we then went inside a barn and did some stuff in the dry – different distractions so me had to work harder. The trainer taught us a phrase – Difficulty, Distance and Distractions. Work on one of the “D”s at a time rather than trying to do all 3 at once. Sometimes you also have to make the other “D”s you aren’t working on a bit easier to start with.
Sometimes dad forgets me has only been with him for 4 months – it’s only really been the last 3 months that we have been training properly. We have both made huge progress in lots of areas. Me likes how we are taking baby paw steps and building on things rather than dad chucking me in at the deep end and me having total meltdown.
Now me trying to stay awake after bath time but me thinks sleeps will win…..
Getting confidence wuuufffsss
Marcus and dad 