So we went to week 8 of novice obedience school tonight. Katie is much more comfortable in class now, as long as those other dogs and all those other people don’t get too close. She’ll even stand for exam and let strangers touch her as long as I’m at the other end of the leash.
She was perfect on her sits and downs tonight. We had a substitute teacher who did lots of distracting things.
Like putting a piece of cheese on the floor in front of each dog. I knew we were safe there as Katie won’t take treats from anyone but me. Still, I was proud of her for not moving or even looking at it. She was staring at me because “The lady was sort of close Mom!”
And on the long downs the lady walked back and forth in front of the dogs squeaking toys and throwing them around. She walked behind dogs too, which I knew would totally freak Katie out…but the good news is that Katie had scooted back so far there wasn’t any room for the lady to walk behind her…so she sat still as a mouse while the lady marched back and forth in front of her. Katie never took her eyes off of me. I guess she knows she’s safe as long as she can see me. That might be a problem if we ever progress past novice and I have to leave the room during the sits and downs. But for now as long as we concentrate on each other we’re cool.
I think.
Change Is Hard 
April 11, 2011 at 8:59 pm
good job sounds like a great class, Katie is such a good girl 😉
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April 11, 2011 at 10:13 pm
Katie would not even recognize the Cowboy as a dog. You would think of me as a person who might possibly own flying monkeys. Miss Sadie is calculating her chances of being in the vicinity when Katie is busy ignoring treats offered by strangers. Miss Sadie is thinking she might score some treats.
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April 12, 2011 at 1:34 am
What a good girl!! Clever Katie!
I never knew she wouldn’t take treats from anyone but you! That is wonderful. How I wish Eva would do the same!! (She really is a greedy piggy)
I can tell your exams are going to be a breeze!
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April 12, 2011 at 5:08 am
Being around strangers is always a tough one to overcome for Shelties and I guess many dogs in general. Katie is certainly doing much better. So how is the walking going – you didn’t mention it. Did you get your 30 minutes in ?
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April 12, 2011 at 5:13 am
Yes I did Reilly! Was planning on doing it at lunch but as so busy at work never saw lunch come and go…so I did it when we got back from doggie school. Almost dark! Today definitely want to do it at lunch!
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April 12, 2011 at 5:16 am
Katie is such a good girl! Glad she is doing better with the scarier parts of obedience. Our instructor used to do those distractions too. Good experience I guess.
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April 12, 2011 at 5:40 am
Katie how smart are you, scooting allllllll the way to the back so you can keep an eye on things at all times! No one can sneak up on you! Gee, reminds me of another sheltie I know.
Glad you had a good class:)
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April 12, 2011 at 5:57 am
Yea!!! Im so glad things are getting better for you guys!
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April 12, 2011 at 6:52 am
I’m a little envious. Sarah could use some of this work, but no way I’m going to drive to Traverse City for an evening class. Good girl, Katie! Glad your week started out so well, Dawn.
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April 12, 2011 at 2:24 pm
PJ: Sarah is at the store with lots of people, right? So she’s getting conditioned there. You can train her to “leave it” at home with treats…lots of praise if she retains her sit until you tell her the “release” word, whatever you use to let her know it’s ok to move…
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April 12, 2011 at 10:40 pm
Yay Katie! I’m so happy that she’s feeling more comfortable in the class now. Sounds like you had lots of proofing that she handled like a pro. 🙂
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April 13, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Having a stranger walk behind you in scary! Good Job Girls! The longest 5 minutes or so you will ever spend in your whole life is during out of sight sits and downs so don’t think about it by then Katie will have it down 🙂
♥
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