Dunedin Diary: Monday

Thank goodness for grading on the curve because somehow Toby passed his advanced training class for the second time. He was not very good, but he was less awful than the first time.

We were all relieved!

John had to take over on Toby's final exam because Toby ceased listening to me. It is a very humbling experience. We've hand fed him his meals, practiced commands upon leaving and entering the house, practiced in the house, on walks, etc. We've trained him with sardines, regular treats, voice, hugs, etc. And there we were at the final exam: frozen in place. Oblivious. Not interested.

Toby and I did a decent job of walking down the dog treat aisle and passing another dog without interacting. I've got on my new parakeet shirt from Beall's. I thought it might help me to think loud and use my happy voice. I'm afraid that under pressure, I forgot all about the damn shirt and my damn happy voice.

Here, I'm assisting with his graduation photograph. I think we are all very happy to have some time off from training, at least training in front of other people.

Also, just happy to be able to get up off the floor.

John did a great job with the final exam, although it took Toby longer than the other two dogs. However, in Toby's defense, it was his second time in advanced training and the other dogs' fifth time. They were so much better. Quick and focused. I think they will be moving on to super advanced training next. Toby will have to repeat.

John was very patient and got a lot of compliments from the trainer.

Toby even got into a down, although it took some time. The woman in the background did her test with her young grandson with her. That’s confidence!

When Toby is in the center ring, he gets stage fright and just stares at everyone looking at him.

He can seem oblivious to our commands.

But John got him to pay attention, in time.

John and I will continue to work with him at home. The thing that makes it hard is that he's really good around us, at home, and out on walks, even in crowds and around other dogs. It's hard to find the incentive to work on commands that don't always seem pertinent to daily living. As I say that, I do have to admit it would be nice if Toby did an automatic sit whenever we stop walking. I'd also like him to be able to settle for an extended time without treats when there are other people around. And it would be nice if he responded immediately to commands instead of pausing to think about it and deciding if it's in his best interest or not to obey. So, I guess there is still work to do. Our trainer says he has some “bull” in him, as in bulldog. She says the breed can be stubborn, as the name implies. Bullheaded.

We took the golf cart to Lake Saundra for a pre-training walk.

We fetched in the back yard after we got back from our morning walk. We wanted to give him plenty of time to rest and pee before going to training. He loves fetching. On the last toss, we raise our arms in the air (like a successful field goal signal), and Toby runs straight to the door to go back inside.