Saturday

 

Toby did really well in training today. We were both about ready to quit before today. We’ve been disappointed with our lack of progress. We walked him and played fetch in the backyard before class. We also went with a “take no prisoners” attitude. We were serious and focused, almost angry even. We had also worked every day with him.

Our breakthrough came when we told the trainer that Toby will not get into a down on hard tile or concrete. In past weeks, that’s where we have really struggled. He just won’t do it, and many of the lessons have a “down” command in them. She finally relented and said we could use his mat. He was so much better. She called him a pampered prince, but she also acknowledged that he has very little fur and that it was uncomfortable for him to lay down on the floor. In the picture above, John is practicing “walk-away-stay.” John puts Toby in a down and walks away on the 15 foot leash and stays there for a minute and a half without Toby popping up.

Then he walks back, rewards Toby while he remains down, and then releases him. They both did it perfectly. The mat made all the difference. Last week, he kept popping up. Toby and I did the same lesson successfully too.

We were so full of dread on our way in the store. At home, after playing fetch, we rested for a few minutes. Then, all the sudden, Toby starts running in circles in the house like it’s the Daytona 500. We felt doomed heading into training with all that energy.

The worst dog in the class was back, happily for us. He was whining and unsettled, so the trainer gave him a bone. Then the best dog in the class got jealous and started whining. The trainer then threw all the dogs a bone, like she would in a beginner class.

Toby has NEVER touched a bone in class. Today, he settled down and chewed on the bone. Amazing. In his puppy classes, he never even sat down, ever! Stood the entire time.

No food treats.

He hopped up a few times to engage with the other dogs, but we got him to settle down. Our homework is to have some powerful treats ready for when he encounters other dogs. He wants to play with them, but we have to make paying attention to us more desirable, hence the powerful treats. Eventually, he’ll be able to be around other dogs and not show much interest. It’s a process.

The mat made a huge difference today. We’ve been trying to tell her that he won’t lie down on hard surfaces, but she made light of it. I’m glad she finally listened and made a concession for him. It’s like he now has an accommodation plan through the Americans (and their Dogs) with Disabilities Act.

We saw the best dog in class start jumping up at his owner to grab the leash he was holding, something Toby does when he gets bored on a walk. It helped us to feel better seeing that. That dog is only one year old, but he’s usually very calm and mature.

After lunch, I headed to the outdoor gym on my bike. It was a lovely 74 degrees.

I cut through Hammock Park on the way home to enjoy the scenic route.

Even though it was 49 degrees on our early morning walk with Toby before training, the day turned out to be really nice.

I crossed another item off my to do list by washing the golf cart and putting air in the tires.

Then we took a late afternoon ride to Stirling Park in the golf cart to walk Toby.

Beautiful day

Our free COVID tests came today. It will be good to have them on hand if anyone develops a cough or other symptoms. John used our last one last week when he had a persistent cough. Turns out, it’s just his usual winter cough due to breathing cold air, like this morning.

Toby, cuddled up next to me on the sunroom love seat as I work on this blog.

Love our new space!

Today’s bike route to Weaver Park (I cut through Hammock Park on the way home and my cycle app lost the signal; thus the straight line home. I did not fly home directly.)

Miles walked: 6.3

Miles biked: 4.34