So I haven't posted for a couple weeks. Part of that was a work event that kept me busy the first week of June. But that's not about Jenny. And I regret that I forgot to take pictures. I'll try to remember next week.
Jenny is enrolled in 5 weeks of classes to teach Sandy and I how to interact with her better. I can say confidently that after 3 sessions we have learned much more than Jenny. Issues we've experienced: pulling/sniffing while on a walk; barking and growling at other dogs and certain people; chasing rabbits. We've learned some key techniques and purchased some additional equipment to help with these and other issues. She's very patient with us as we learn, too!
Last Saturday, we met our trainer, Bill Whatley (http://www.bwdogtraining.com), for the second session with Jenny. (The first week was two hours of teaching us what equipment to buy and familiarizing us with terms.) After a period of adjustment, where we let Jenny walk around on a 25-foot leash, we did a review of the previous lesson of "Heel" and "Sit" which Jenny seems to do well in front of Bill but regresses with us during the week.
After the review, Bill asked if we would like to work on the "Sit and Stay" lesson. He told us it is one of the hardest lessons. I don't think we grasped what he meant by hardest at the beginning. Sandy had done some preliminary work with "Stay" during the week, so I suggested she "go first." We didn't realize there would only be a first.
Bill set up the cones and went through the concepts with his dog, Ares. Ares is a Chesapeake who seems to read Bill's mind. Bill wouldn't even get the word out and Ares was promptly sitting. Throughout the demonstration, it was as if Ares was a statue for 5 minutes as Bill demonstrated and explained the lesson. Then Sandy worked with Ares with success. The time came for Jenny, who had been watching intently with me, to enter the ring and start one of the greatest battles of will ever witnessed.
Sandy started well, with an obedient Jenny sitting and staying for the first phase of the lesson. Bill continued to relay the next step and Jenny dutifully sat. After about three phases, Jenny stood. The Battle is on! Over the next 30-40 minutes, Jenny waffled between obedience and disobedience as she sat, then stood, then resisted, then sat, then stood. Sometimes Sandy and Jenny had to start over from the beginning. Sandy struggled with errors she was making, certain she was leading Jenny astray. Jenny continued to disobey whether Sandy did it "right" or not. At one part Sandy wanted a water break, but Bill said to break now would undo all the effort.
We had almost lost hope that this lesson would stick when Jenny seemed to "get it" and stayed seated through the whole rotation. She even watched Sandy as she circled behind her. Once complete, there was much rejoicing and petting as we declared the lesson over. We were instructed not to do any more training that day, as it was an intense lesson. We soon parted ways with Bill.
I was proud of Sandy for her effort. She repeated the exercise Sunday morning and had no trouble. Evening came and we decided that I would have a go at this lesson. After a couple loops around the court, and the departure of some very distracting trucks, I led Jenny to a spot in the middle of the driveway. I issued the "Sit" command; Jenny obeyed. I began working through the various steps of the rotation; Jenny didn't flinch. I completed the rotation with no problems and commenced with a shower of praise and affection. Sandy quickly reminded me it was all her hard work that allowed such an easy go for me. I agreed and thanked her for her determination and patience.
I love you Jenny! Thank you for your patience as we learn.
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