I have been working with Lilo on her leash walking skills. She is excelling with the heel, and totally surprised me when she did the heel sit the other day with me just asking her of it. Up until then I was still showing her what I wanted. (Note, if it is really wet on the ground she will not sit, but I can't blame her to much). I was so happy and she picked up on it. :) We will now start working on the down and sit from down at the heel position.
Also last week I taught my first obedience class. I had 6 dogs in the class, and it went well. I chose a poodle to be my demonstration dog, and she put me through the ringer :) She had never been told what to do before, and had always been on a harness and leash and had never had a training collar on. She pulled and fought against me, but in the end (with my help to coax her along) she did move into a heel position, and by the end of her class working with both owners very well.
I was also very excited because I got to work with Tonka my Therapy Dog. Twice a month we go to an assisted living facility for the elderly. We have been doing this for 4 months now, and we both absolutely love it!!! There are some members of that look forward to Tonka coming and they know exactly when he is going to be there. He knows when his mom loads him into the car that he gets to go to "work" and see his friends. He cant get into my car fast enough. It makes my heart melt :)
Tonka knows who he can be more excited with and who he has to be calm with. He has a friend who is wheel chair bound that he knows to snug his body up tight to, and thats where he gets the good pets!!!
