Freddie and I started an obedience session tonight out at Joan Armstrong's place in Vancouver. Her place is very charming, colorful, and fun. We did have a good time. Let it be said that with things like freestyle and even more so obedience, you MUST create the fun. Fred was full attention. He was very alert, on top of things and ready to go. It was easy tonight, but I can see how some where down the line that Fred may not find the excitement in the exercises themselves. I need to instill that excitement now. I'm going to hire Heather to teach me a few things in that area;) It sounds like the Denise Fenzi seminar was great, I am really sorry I missed it.

Heeling
Joan asked me to pick a spot on my arm or elbow and teach him to focus on that spot. I need to "teach" him a heel position, create a place for him per say. I feel we already have that spot. He looks at me and I am okay with it, it is comfortable for both of us and it feels natural, so I am going to train that position. It just felt awkward shaping him to look at my elbow. I like where his heel position is and I will continue to keep it there. Joan had some great advice and she is one of the best obedience instructors in town, but sometimes you just have to do your own thing;)

Fronts
I am in the process of teaching Freddie to sit in front of me. I have both arms to my side, Freddie in a sit stay in front of me, and treats in BOTH hands. When Fred looks up at me I click and treat with both hands. This will be my main homework this week. And let me tell you, it is not going to be an easy one. Fred has almost never been rewarded at front position, and never in a sit. He always comes to side position and stands. I have even skipped the front position in freestyle because it has weakened my come to heel in agility. But, Freddie is a smart boy, he can tell the difference and I think it will be fun and challenging to train all of the positions. I also think I will work on the back position for freestyle if this turns out successful;)

Stays and stay with exam
I did not put Freddie in a stand for exam because although he has a nice stand, it is not on cue, plus he does love the strangers;) So we opted for a sit with exam and he was wonderful. He kept his eyes on me the whole time and didn't move a muscle, what a trooper. I threw his toy for him for that one;) His stays were all great. One minute is a long time for a puppy. So I dropped his toy behind me on the ground, and he would alternate between looking at me and looking at that toy, it kept him with me the whole time. I would tease him too, with my body posture and such. I would move slightly, shift my weight, it drove him nuts;) When I did release him he shot for that toy like no tomorrow. It was very cute. I have to say, stays are VERY boring. I had a good conversation with Heather about them and she mentioned active stays. I'm not too sure how she trains them, I like that idea. Gonna get the 411 on them tomorrow;)

Dumbbell
Freddie would grab and then get treated. I have never taught a dumbbell to Freddie and yet somehow he knew what was expected of him, immediately knew to grab and then release. I started running backwards with it and he knew what to do. I swear somewhere back there he has been fully trained.

Recall
We are doing restrained right now since he doesn't have a front. He thought this was the best part of the evening. Lots of movement and running and chasing toys;)


 It is always great to have new things to work on and Joan is wonderful. I think I will finish up this session and see where we stand. The other people in class have a better understanding of all of the exercises, but I will get there in time. It has been 20 years since I have stepped into an obedience ring, a lot of things have changed, and I have forgotten most of the other things that are valid;) Obedience is not agility;) People are very quiet, controlled, and there were no other toys besides Freddie's. I love the agility atmosphere, it is loud, busy, filled with movement and barking dogs. It is more my speed. But, obedience class was fun and I did enjoy it.. Learning new things is always exciting and having a very positive instructor is nice (plus she is less than 10 miles from home). I trust that Joan will never make me or my dog uncomfortable and I trust that she will give me the best advice she has. Being able to have one more thing to do with Mr. Mercury will only help our relationship. I was able to witness it tonight. He really was having a good time in sections;) He ignored all of the other dogs, stayed with me the whole time, even when off leash,  and was just an all around good boy. He is growing up;)