Training - Terrible! She growled at the trainer a second time....
I can feel myself sinking with disappointment. I'm sure Misha felt it too, as she quickly looked at me with her glistening eyes, waiting for approval. I did not approve and she knew it.
Exercises were ok and she listened well to commands from me.
Our homework was to practice the walk and to practice the "wait" command. "Wait" is not the same as "Stay." It's a rather shorter pause and requires a different hand signal. Also, we were instructed to practice the "Leave it" command. This is one of particular importance as C.A.T training requires for a dog to be able to "leave it" on command, whatever "it" is. Misha is also very good at this.
I think I skipped blogging last week because I felt my failure to help Misha see people as something good and trustworthy. However, yesterday, I saw a glimpse of hope.
We got in the car and headed to training.
Misha, of course, enjoying the breeze out the window (Something she always hated but grew to like and enjoy). I glance at her, turn around (while at a red light), and tell her "please do not growl at anyone today, please... be the good dog I know you are."
We enter training, and I almost cried. She went up to the trainer, wagging her tail, sitting, and giving "paw" (<--something I've taught her will get her treats!). The trainer just signaled for treats and fed her straight from her hand. I was overjoyed and pride filled my insides!
Throughout the session, Misha did everything beautifully! She was even chosen to demonstrate some of the commands.
This week's homework:
1.Practice Stay for as long as the dog can stay and time it!
2. Take random objects that aren't important (crumbled paper, ripped newspaper, toilet paper roll, plastic container, maybe a wrapper, etc) and put them on the floor randomly throughout the house. As we go into each room (Misha on leash) practice "Leave it" with those random objects. To do this, Misha can go the entire length of the leash with enough distance to just barely touch it, and once she's up to it, LEAVE IT! =)
3. Practice having people come over the house and a) handing me something at the door (like a mailman would) while Misha waits and then b) Knocking on the door and coming inside. Misha is to wait until I have welcomed her to say hi to the person. Once that interaction is done, Misha needs a 'place to be' while the person comes in and has coffee, for example.
4. Keep heeling and walking at different paces (slow = tug on the collar several times saying 'easy easy easy' or speeding up and saying "let's go")
I was very proud at this training session. But one thing I did do differently (besides have a good talk with Misha, hehe) was that I did not feed her before the session. For the past two weeks, I have been feeding her and then attending. Perhaps that is what changed: she was hungry and only focused on her hunger, accepting treats from the trainer. (I am not too sure about this as she is ALWAYS up for treats, hungry or not...). However, it is a good thing to consider. To test my hypothesis, I will feed her next class and see her reaction. Maybe she is just getting more used to everything and the routine of it all. It would be a great thing if she's actually getting used to ....people!
Here's a great video we took at the park: Misha and Missy (best of friends). Rain, mud, and freedom.
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