It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the fifth week of our six week beginner agility class. At the same time, Jonah has made huge strides. It's been wet so we haven't been practicing quite as much outside, but nonetheless he is showing improvement.
He is weaving with real enthusiasm and rhythm. Mostly he does the 'small dog' two paws on each side. He is able to find the entry himself, although we need to keep working on making the angle more challenging.
He loves the tire jump, and I can send him to that from a good distance (maybe 15 feet or so).
I haven't been bringing out the tunnel very much but he loves that and can drive to it, too.
Our contact board is still a work in progress. He sticks it beautifully at slower speeds, but if we run to it he will blow past it. This is what I've been wanting to work on most, but since it's been so wet I've held off because I don't want him to slip.
In the last two days we've been working on rear crosses. I've worked with a single jump, just having him jump and spin back around the standard to his reward. We also have done two jumps at a 90 degree angle and have worked on doing both the inside and outside route. Then I did three jumps facing the same direction and worked on a serpentine. This had mixed results--sometimes he was perfect and sometimes he would turn the wrong way or not drive ahead well. I'm sure it's my fault--I don't really know what I'm doing. It's lots of fun when he gets it, though! In general, I'd like him to be driving more positively to the jumps. I'm not sure why he loves the tires but thinks the jumps are boring. I may try higher jumps (right now they're only about 9"), and I need to be good about rewarding more often and excitedly at the jumps.
As for our actual homework, his lead outs are good, his front cross ground work is right on, his obedience work is doing well, his fast downs are getting better, and he runs well with me. The homework is pretty basic, so we're generally making up our own things to do. It's nice to not be stressed about the work, but I could use a little more guidance, too. We're excited to move into the advanced beginner class. It's coming soon!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Practice Time
Jonah had a few days off from agility practice since we were away this weekend. Last week my school schedule was pretty busy, too, so he's been low on agility repetitions. When I took him out today, though, he was fabulous. His contact positioning on our mini ramp (the board is about 4 feet and the high end is elevated about 9") was better than it has ever been. He was really moving through the straight line of three jumps I set up. His lead outs were perfect. I could walk all the way to the third jump and call him over them all. I could walk out to the second, call him out, and stay where I was, sending him over the third. I could send him individually to the tire while I was way behind. His weave poles were the best they've ever been. He was really driving through them, so the poles went flying a few times, but he didn't seem to care a bit. We got out a pause table which is really too small and it's rectangular so he can only lie down one way, but he was really getting that, too. I am so impressed with this dog. He is really smart and he's so much fun to try all this agility stuff with! I can't wait for tomorrow's class.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Dog Run Dog
Today Jonah and I both ran our first road race (5k), and we did great! I've been having some foot pain and still have knee pain from my ACL surgery sometimes, so I wasn't able to get out and run as much recently as I would like. Nonetheless, it was a perfect day for a race and everything went off nicely. We got there nice and early to register and we had time to relax before the race. Molly (my parents' dog) was also there and she was being really nervous and slightly aggressive. That was a little stressful to be around, but Jonah was calm and pretty relaxed. Once it came time to start the race, they started all the dogless runners first, waited a few minutes, and then sent off all the dogs with their humans. There were probably about 100 human runners and around 75 dogs. It was quite the pack at the beginning. When we were waiting at the start line, dogs around us were growling, barking, whining, shaking, jumping, pulling and pretty much anything else you can think of. Jonah jumped up a time or two until I crouched down to his level, and then he was happy as long as I was near him. When they said go, it was a crazy mass of legs, but after a minute or two things shifted out into an order.
Jonah was energetic and happy to be running the whole way. He sometimes runs next to me but today he was out in front the whole time. The course started on quiet back roads past farms and fields and it was quite pretty, although I can't say I spent too much time looking at the scenery. I didn't have a very good sense of what was ahead of us on the course, so I kept our pace moderate. It was clear very early on that there were hills, so I wanted to make sure we didn't run out of steam. It turned out I was good running up hills but I was more cautious down hill (Jonah always wanted to go faster no matter what the terrain was doing). Mile one went well, and the second mile seemed quite short. After the second mile marker I was feeling like we could pick up the pace a little bit, but again I didn't know what was in store, and I kept hoping I'd have some way of knowing where the end would be so I could have a good sense of how much faster we could go. We got onto a busier street and Jonah started pulling ahead whenever a car would pass, but finally we made the turn onto the final street, with about a quarter mile to go. We picked things up and passed 5 people in that last road stretch. Then there were about 100 yards to the finish line, and we passed three more in that stretch. Jonah was so happy and excited, and I was pleased with how things were gone. I'd had no pain at all, and that was a huge success in itself.
We came in just over 23 minutes, which was even a little better than I had been expecting. Jonah cooled off quickly and then we got to wait for the rest of the family. Dad (without dog) came in just over 30 minutes, which was a great success for him given the trouble his knees have been giving him. He was slow and steady but rain the whole way. Mom and Molly walked the 5k loop but they were far from the last people to come through the finish line. Given Molly's social problems, it was a great accomplishment for them, too! We were about to head home when they were starting the awards ceremony when I noticed that one of the people I had passed in the last 100 yards was the third best woman in the 5k women-with-dog division. We were second! I know in the running world a 23 minute 5k is nothing special, but we were excited to be recognized, anyway. What fun!
Jonah is asleep right now--he's had quite a weekend (yesterday we went on a 7 mile hike, too)!
Jonah was energetic and happy to be running the whole way. He sometimes runs next to me but today he was out in front the whole time. The course started on quiet back roads past farms and fields and it was quite pretty, although I can't say I spent too much time looking at the scenery. I didn't have a very good sense of what was ahead of us on the course, so I kept our pace moderate. It was clear very early on that there were hills, so I wanted to make sure we didn't run out of steam. It turned out I was good running up hills but I was more cautious down hill (Jonah always wanted to go faster no matter what the terrain was doing). Mile one went well, and the second mile seemed quite short. After the second mile marker I was feeling like we could pick up the pace a little bit, but again I didn't know what was in store, and I kept hoping I'd have some way of knowing where the end would be so I could have a good sense of how much faster we could go. We got onto a busier street and Jonah started pulling ahead whenever a car would pass, but finally we made the turn onto the final street, with about a quarter mile to go. We picked things up and passed 5 people in that last road stretch. Then there were about 100 yards to the finish line, and we passed three more in that stretch. Jonah was so happy and excited, and I was pleased with how things were gone. I'd had no pain at all, and that was a huge success in itself.
We came in just over 23 minutes, which was even a little better than I had been expecting. Jonah cooled off quickly and then we got to wait for the rest of the family. Dad (without dog) came in just over 30 minutes, which was a great success for him given the trouble his knees have been giving him. He was slow and steady but rain the whole way. Mom and Molly walked the 5k loop but they were far from the last people to come through the finish line. Given Molly's social problems, it was a great accomplishment for them, too! We were about to head home when they were starting the awards ceremony when I noticed that one of the people I had passed in the last 100 yards was the third best woman in the 5k women-with-dog division. We were second! I know in the running world a 23 minute 5k is nothing special, but we were excited to be recognized, anyway. What fun!
Jonah is asleep right now--he's had quite a weekend (yesterday we went on a 7 mile hike, too)!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Back to Four Paws
Today was our second class at Four Paws, although it was the third in the sequence (we missed week 2). We started with the normal stuff--walking, sitting, short lead offs, switching sides, etc. Then we did some stretching and targeting. Jonah was super with all of this, and we have a new plan when targeting. He will jog to the target from 15-20 feet away, but he's not really driving, so now I'm going to start sit or down-staying him, walking to the target and putting a treat on it, returning to him and getting him rev'ed up and then releasing him to the target. I tried it a few times in class and it didn't seem to have a huge effect, but we'll keep trying.
Next we did some back-chaining. Jonah and I got to use the A-frame this time, which was exciting because we'd never been on the A-frame before. Jonah didn't seem to mind one bit, though. Sometimes he would swing his butt off when he touched, but in general he was very good. We worked from both sides and had about 85% success, I'd guess.
After back-chaining we split into groups. Our group had 2 other dogs in it, and we started with weave poles. They were set up in a wide channel (about a foot apart). There were 12 poles, so twice as many as Jonah's ever done before. Then we put 4 targets with treats along the channel and walked the dogs through. I wouldn't say Jonah really made the connection that this was like his weave poles at home, but he did well. I can't blame him for not 'getting it,' as these look entirely different than his and were wide enough apart that they didn't have any opportunity for actual weaving. When I had our poles in a wide channel, I would usually have him stay at one side and recall him through, so me walking next to him on a leash seemed pretty different. Anyway, I'm excited for the poles to start getting closer together so he starts to actually weave with 12 poles--it'll be a big step up from our makeshift poles at home.
Next we did the tire. It was on the ground so not really much of a jump. The process was a bit of a handful: sit-stay on one side, bring your leash through the tire, move around to the other side and recall through. Our stay wasn't rock solid and Jonah just went ahead and jumped through, but he clearly had no trouble with the tire. They asked us to get tab (short) leashes for next time, and I think that will make things a whole lot easier.
Then we did the tunnel, and Jonah was perfect. They started it fairly short, and one of the dogs in our group was nervous, but then they pulled it out to full length for Jonah and he jogged right through. Good boy!
After the tunnel we switched groups and went to the dog walk. I was supposed to click and treat every few steps, but that seemed to confuse Jonah and he kept hopping off when I clicked. When I tried to just treat him, he would lose his concentration and hop off. Anyway, the first time we tried we didn't get the whole way along the dog walk but he was happy hopping on and off and taking a few steps. The second time, I didn't click and treat along the way, and he went right up, over and down to a perfect contact position touch. Awesome.
Then we did a line of very small jumps (about 4"). The second jump had wings. Again the leash was a complication and I got it caught on the last jump so that it fell over and landed on him. He wasn't fazed, but it was not ideal. The second time our teacher said I could take his leash off, so I sat him in front of the first jump, took off the leash, walked past the first jump and called him through the line. He swerved a little between the second and third jumps but was really good. Then I patted him, gave him a cookie, and he heeled off leash right back to our leash, sat, and let me put the leash back on. The next dog tried to go off leash to follow Jonah's example and ended up bolting across the room.
After jumping we did the A-frame. Again the first time he was a little concerned and hopped off a few times, but then he went right ahead over to another beautiful two-on-two-off position. The second time we did the A-frame he was picture perfect the whole way. No hesitation on, up or over, and right into the position at the end.
Last we did the table, which he had no problem getting on, but he was a little slow with the down. We'll have to work on that one.
Overall, I am so super impressed with Jonah. I can't believe how much we've done in such a short amount of time. He was probably the best in the class, and the other dog who's good was there last week and has done a previous class before as well. Most impressive, though, is his confidence. He just doesn't seem at all like that shaking dog we had at Gemini. I don't fully know what the reason is other than that he just likes Four Paws better, but I'll take it. I can't wait for the upcoming classes and getting ready to eventually go to our first competition, hopefully sometime next year!
Next we did some back-chaining. Jonah and I got to use the A-frame this time, which was exciting because we'd never been on the A-frame before. Jonah didn't seem to mind one bit, though. Sometimes he would swing his butt off when he touched, but in general he was very good. We worked from both sides and had about 85% success, I'd guess.
After back-chaining we split into groups. Our group had 2 other dogs in it, and we started with weave poles. They were set up in a wide channel (about a foot apart). There were 12 poles, so twice as many as Jonah's ever done before. Then we put 4 targets with treats along the channel and walked the dogs through. I wouldn't say Jonah really made the connection that this was like his weave poles at home, but he did well. I can't blame him for not 'getting it,' as these look entirely different than his and were wide enough apart that they didn't have any opportunity for actual weaving. When I had our poles in a wide channel, I would usually have him stay at one side and recall him through, so me walking next to him on a leash seemed pretty different. Anyway, I'm excited for the poles to start getting closer together so he starts to actually weave with 12 poles--it'll be a big step up from our makeshift poles at home.
Next we did the tire. It was on the ground so not really much of a jump. The process was a bit of a handful: sit-stay on one side, bring your leash through the tire, move around to the other side and recall through. Our stay wasn't rock solid and Jonah just went ahead and jumped through, but he clearly had no trouble with the tire. They asked us to get tab (short) leashes for next time, and I think that will make things a whole lot easier.
Then we did the tunnel, and Jonah was perfect. They started it fairly short, and one of the dogs in our group was nervous, but then they pulled it out to full length for Jonah and he jogged right through. Good boy!
After the tunnel we switched groups and went to the dog walk. I was supposed to click and treat every few steps, but that seemed to confuse Jonah and he kept hopping off when I clicked. When I tried to just treat him, he would lose his concentration and hop off. Anyway, the first time we tried we didn't get the whole way along the dog walk but he was happy hopping on and off and taking a few steps. The second time, I didn't click and treat along the way, and he went right up, over and down to a perfect contact position touch. Awesome.
Then we did a line of very small jumps (about 4"). The second jump had wings. Again the leash was a complication and I got it caught on the last jump so that it fell over and landed on him. He wasn't fazed, but it was not ideal. The second time our teacher said I could take his leash off, so I sat him in front of the first jump, took off the leash, walked past the first jump and called him through the line. He swerved a little between the second and third jumps but was really good. Then I patted him, gave him a cookie, and he heeled off leash right back to our leash, sat, and let me put the leash back on. The next dog tried to go off leash to follow Jonah's example and ended up bolting across the room.
After jumping we did the A-frame. Again the first time he was a little concerned and hopped off a few times, but then he went right ahead over to another beautiful two-on-two-off position. The second time we did the A-frame he was picture perfect the whole way. No hesitation on, up or over, and right into the position at the end.
Last we did the table, which he had no problem getting on, but he was a little slow with the down. We'll have to work on that one.
Overall, I am so super impressed with Jonah. I can't believe how much we've done in such a short amount of time. He was probably the best in the class, and the other dog who's good was there last week and has done a previous class before as well. Most impressive, though, is his confidence. He just doesn't seem at all like that shaking dog we had at Gemini. I don't fully know what the reason is other than that he just likes Four Paws better, but I'll take it. I can't wait for the upcoming classes and getting ready to eventually go to our first competition, hopefully sometime next year!
Weave Poles
Jonah's practice has been awesome in the last few days and we can't wait for tonight's class!
Our three big marks of weave pole success:
1. Jonah will now do the weave poles on his own. When we're just walking around in the yard and we're not in practice mode, he'll just go do them for fun.
2. Today for the first time Jonah did the big-man-style technique, with one paw on each side of the poles!
3. The flower pots and garden stakes have been a God-send, but now Jonah is driving through hard enough that he knocks them over. I think it's about time to start re-thinking about investing in a 'real' set.
Our three big marks of weave pole success:
1. Jonah will now do the weave poles on his own. When we're just walking around in the yard and we're not in practice mode, he'll just go do them for fun.
2. Today for the first time Jonah did the big-man-style technique, with one paw on each side of the poles!
3. The flower pots and garden stakes have been a God-send, but now Jonah is driving through hard enough that he knocks them over. I think it's about time to start re-thinking about investing in a 'real' set.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Update
Sorry for the lapse in posting. We didn't go to class this past week because we had tickets to a Red Sox game instead. The game was fun, but didn't turn out well for the Sox, who lost 5-14. Oops.
As for Jonah, he has been doing great. Our homework hasn't been very challenging--it's just working on sit/down stays, lead outs, recalls, targeting, and contact positioning. We've had to work some on the contact positioning, but it's going really well. I just have a board elevated about 6" and I ask him to do the two on/two off. He totally understands, which is great. Sometimes he still gets excited and jumps fully off, but if I manage him to wait as he's getting on the board, he's good about planting right into the two on/two off. Now, it seems like people usually do this with a target, which I've done, but when I was using the target he often swung his butt around off the plank. He was focused on the target and not on his legs. Since I'm usually alone when I'm training, I thought it would be easier to train the actual positioning rather than asking him to target and having the positioning be the by-product of where I placed the target. There won't be a target in competition, anyway. I have found this to be really helpful for him and he knows what he's supposed to do. good boy.
As for the rest of his homework and our other playing around, he's doing great. He jumps, we do turns and crosses, he loves our makeshift tunnel, he does the 'tire,' and, he even is weaving fantastically! Some days he'll pop out on the first time through, but once he's done it, he's golden. The bases are now in a straight line and the poles have a slight angle mostly because I can't get them fully upright. It's not a perfect solution for the long term, but I'm sure he has a HUGE step over his classmates and will be a star when we get to weave poles. He generally does the small dog hop rather than the one leg each side, but he's moving through them quickly and efficiently and he really seems to enjoy it.
We've also started working on sending him over obstacles ahead of us. He's definitely more confident when we're right with him, but he's doing well. I can send him to jumps, the tunnel and the board, but I still try to show him the entry to the weave poles.
In other news, we're doing some cross training! Next Saturday we're participating in Dog Run Dog, a 5k race for dogs and their people. I'm still pretty slow, recovering from my ACL surgery, but I'm excited about the opportunity. I've always been more of a sprinter and team sports person, and I've never run a road race, but having Jonah there gives me a boost of enthusiasm. In our runs recently he's been kind of touch and go. Usually he's perfect, but the last time I ran with him at the local park he started trying to chase bikes and people who were passing him in the other direction. It was like he couldn't process them fast enough when he was running--the same day as long as we were walking he was cool as a cucumber. I'm hoping the race next weekend will not have much passing us in the opposite direction, and I'm sure he'll be fine. I don't feel a lot of pressure to clock in a good time, so even if we have to walk for Jonah to relax we'll have a good time. I'm also excited because my mom, dad and Molly decided they're going to come, too! Jonah and I will run together, my dad will run alone and mom will walk with Molly. It will be good training for Molly. My uncle and two cousins might possibly come, as well, and they could bring their dog. The race allows teams, which has an added component of fun. We're hoping for good weather!
Back to agility, we have class on Tuesday and I'm very excited to get things going again. We need some new challenges :).
As for Jonah, he has been doing great. Our homework hasn't been very challenging--it's just working on sit/down stays, lead outs, recalls, targeting, and contact positioning. We've had to work some on the contact positioning, but it's going really well. I just have a board elevated about 6" and I ask him to do the two on/two off. He totally understands, which is great. Sometimes he still gets excited and jumps fully off, but if I manage him to wait as he's getting on the board, he's good about planting right into the two on/two off. Now, it seems like people usually do this with a target, which I've done, but when I was using the target he often swung his butt around off the plank. He was focused on the target and not on his legs. Since I'm usually alone when I'm training, I thought it would be easier to train the actual positioning rather than asking him to target and having the positioning be the by-product of where I placed the target. There won't be a target in competition, anyway. I have found this to be really helpful for him and he knows what he's supposed to do. good boy.
As for the rest of his homework and our other playing around, he's doing great. He jumps, we do turns and crosses, he loves our makeshift tunnel, he does the 'tire,' and, he even is weaving fantastically! Some days he'll pop out on the first time through, but once he's done it, he's golden. The bases are now in a straight line and the poles have a slight angle mostly because I can't get them fully upright. It's not a perfect solution for the long term, but I'm sure he has a HUGE step over his classmates and will be a star when we get to weave poles. He generally does the small dog hop rather than the one leg each side, but he's moving through them quickly and efficiently and he really seems to enjoy it.
We've also started working on sending him over obstacles ahead of us. He's definitely more confident when we're right with him, but he's doing well. I can send him to jumps, the tunnel and the board, but I still try to show him the entry to the weave poles.
In other news, we're doing some cross training! Next Saturday we're participating in Dog Run Dog, a 5k race for dogs and their people. I'm still pretty slow, recovering from my ACL surgery, but I'm excited about the opportunity. I've always been more of a sprinter and team sports person, and I've never run a road race, but having Jonah there gives me a boost of enthusiasm. In our runs recently he's been kind of touch and go. Usually he's perfect, but the last time I ran with him at the local park he started trying to chase bikes and people who were passing him in the other direction. It was like he couldn't process them fast enough when he was running--the same day as long as we were walking he was cool as a cucumber. I'm hoping the race next weekend will not have much passing us in the opposite direction, and I'm sure he'll be fine. I don't feel a lot of pressure to clock in a good time, so even if we have to walk for Jonah to relax we'll have a good time. I'm also excited because my mom, dad and Molly decided they're going to come, too! Jonah and I will run together, my dad will run alone and mom will walk with Molly. It will be good training for Molly. My uncle and two cousins might possibly come, as well, and they could bring their dog. The race allows teams, which has an added component of fun. We're hoping for good weather!
Back to agility, we have class on Tuesday and I'm very excited to get things going again. We need some new challenges :).
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Welcome to Four Paws
Last night Jonah went to his first beginner agility class at Four Paws Academy. From start to finish, he was a total star. The location is bright and spacious with high ceilings and no dark corners. There were no scary noises on the other side of the walls. We could hear the teacher speaking. There was a lovely little sitting area for Dave to watch from, but Jonah was comfortable enough out in the rest of the room that he never tried to go running back to his dad.
There were 5 other dogs in the class, all bigger than Jonah but none particularly large. There were 2 labs, a golden, and two mixes who were about that same size. Most were older but the golden was still looking pretty puppy-ish. He had taken this class before and is repeating it, by the looks of it because of his puppy-ish lack of attention.
The main teacher was very nice, straight forward, and her explanations were always easily understandable. We also had an assistant who is also a main teacher at Four Paws and clearly knows her stuff. Both were open to questions and very helpful whenever we needed anything. They've both been competing in agility for many years and their experience was refreshing. Right from the beginning they said they'd worked with dogs who had been afraid of every piece of equipment, but that they would keep the experience positive and work at whatever pace is appropriate for the dog.
As it turned out, Jonah was not afraid of *any* agility equipment, and the only hint of nervousness resulted from being asked to walk right next to a large, loud floor fan. We started the day with targeting and then we did some loose-leash walking and stretching to warm up. Jonah was a pro at all of these. He ate his treats (if you missed our previous posts, at the last place we did agility, Jonah was terrified and wouldn't eat), was looking at me probably 85% of the time we were walking, let me stretch him in new ways and mostly sat quietly while the instructor was talking. His stay was a little less solid than at home, so we'll keep working on that. We also played with tippy boards and practiced the two-on-two-off targeting on the dog walk. He was excellent with both. On the dog walk he did start to swing his hind off the board, but the instructors both helped us, by making sure he was really straight before giving the touch command and by adding a 'wing' to the dog walk. They told us not to worry but just to keep working on it.
All the introductions in the beginning did eat up a bunch of the class time, so it was time to go before we knew it. I am kind of in shock that we made it through an entire class having a fun, positive time where both of us were comfortable with the people, dogs and environment we were in. Yes, everything we did was familiar to us and it's not like we learned anything earth-shattering, but it was just so...pleasant.
Unfortunately we will miss next week's class because we are going to a Red Sox game (I grew up in Boston but we've never gotten tickets before!), but they are going to send us our homework and we'll be looking forward to week 3. For this week, we're supposed to practice targeting, contact positioning, stretching and control work like sit and down-stays, heeling and lead-outs without obstacles. Jonah can do all these things but we'll keep working on getting better and more confident, especially on the contact obstacle positioning. I'm so proud of Jonah and I can't wait to see how he progresses!
There were 5 other dogs in the class, all bigger than Jonah but none particularly large. There were 2 labs, a golden, and two mixes who were about that same size. Most were older but the golden was still looking pretty puppy-ish. He had taken this class before and is repeating it, by the looks of it because of his puppy-ish lack of attention.
The main teacher was very nice, straight forward, and her explanations were always easily understandable. We also had an assistant who is also a main teacher at Four Paws and clearly knows her stuff. Both were open to questions and very helpful whenever we needed anything. They've both been competing in agility for many years and their experience was refreshing. Right from the beginning they said they'd worked with dogs who had been afraid of every piece of equipment, but that they would keep the experience positive and work at whatever pace is appropriate for the dog.
As it turned out, Jonah was not afraid of *any* agility equipment, and the only hint of nervousness resulted from being asked to walk right next to a large, loud floor fan. We started the day with targeting and then we did some loose-leash walking and stretching to warm up. Jonah was a pro at all of these. He ate his treats (if you missed our previous posts, at the last place we did agility, Jonah was terrified and wouldn't eat), was looking at me probably 85% of the time we were walking, let me stretch him in new ways and mostly sat quietly while the instructor was talking. His stay was a little less solid than at home, so we'll keep working on that. We also played with tippy boards and practiced the two-on-two-off targeting on the dog walk. He was excellent with both. On the dog walk he did start to swing his hind off the board, but the instructors both helped us, by making sure he was really straight before giving the touch command and by adding a 'wing' to the dog walk. They told us not to worry but just to keep working on it.
All the introductions in the beginning did eat up a bunch of the class time, so it was time to go before we knew it. I am kind of in shock that we made it through an entire class having a fun, positive time where both of us were comfortable with the people, dogs and environment we were in. Yes, everything we did was familiar to us and it's not like we learned anything earth-shattering, but it was just so...pleasant.
Unfortunately we will miss next week's class because we are going to a Red Sox game (I grew up in Boston but we've never gotten tickets before!), but they are going to send us our homework and we'll be looking forward to week 3. For this week, we're supposed to practice targeting, contact positioning, stretching and control work like sit and down-stays, heeling and lead-outs without obstacles. Jonah can do all these things but we'll keep working on getting better and more confident, especially on the contact obstacle positioning. I'm so proud of Jonah and I can't wait to see how he progresses!
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