Day #2 was a very positive one! First off, I got home a little early so Juneau was't ready to attack me. She was still a little sleepy when I let her out of her kennel and she didn't even jump on me once!
Today's project was walking to the park about half a mile from my house. I have a hands free leash, and Juneau wore a front clip harness. Whenever she walked past my legs I stopped dead. She caught on really quickly that she had to be next to me before we would move. What took a long while to figure out was the STAYING next to me. We would take two steps, stop, and she would back up. Two steps, stop, back up. over and over. Then I started to feed a couple of treats when she did it right one after the other and we got 3 steps in before she ran ahead.
Then when we were almost to the park, we had about 30 steps where I kept pumping her full of treats and she stayed next to me. It was a glimpse of the future and I loved it!
Then we saw the park (big fenced grassy area) and it was very difficult to get her in there while heeling. She was very excited. When she sat and looked at me (what Dr. Yin calls "saying please") I took her harness off. She tore around the park going crazy for 10 mins.
When she seemed done I got her harness back on and we started to heel home. It was flawless! Now I know, tire her out a little bit and the heeling is MUCH easier. On the way home I stopped only twice for her going too fast.
Tomorrow is my day off, so we will try so much more!
Great work! You practiced a lot of patience today and Juneau learned something good. Good girl, Juneau!
ReplyDeleteWhat brand hands free leash do you have and what do you think of it?
Sue
Great Job Beccy! It's so easy to give up after a while (I have with Pumpkin in many ways)! I applaud you!
ReplyDeleteSue, I have the Kurgo Quantum leash. It does "six in one" but it is basically only useful as a hands free leash. I like that it can be a 3 foot training leash or a 6 foot one. It is basically useless as a regular leash no matter what they tell you! It was a lot cheaper than the other brands and I like Kurgo's stuff, very strong.
ReplyDeleteKatie, I hope it works too!
Beccy I meant to comment on your first entry but the comment thingy doesn't work from smartphones and (amazingly enough) I don't really find myself sitting in front of computers as much as I once did - LOL.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I want to throw my encouragement into the ring, because I know you can do it. It'll be a process, it'll be difficult, but in the end it will be way worth it. I'll be following the blog for your progress and a little accountability as we both go on our fantastic voyages (me to change my brain, and you to change Juneau's - honestly I think your task is way harder!)
But you're gonna rock it. :)
-a
Thanks Aubin! I wish you the best of luck too! Maybe you should keep a "Brain Training" blog!
ReplyDelete