Little Victories

We haven't done much this week, easing up a bit after the shows last week. This afternoon, I worked with both Iggy and Bethena in the front yard, as there wasn't any class.

Bethena has the idea of the drop on recall down pretty well now, she is doing it better and better and more consistently each time we practice. As for the retrieve on flat (dumbbell retrieve), however, she still does little things every time that add up to not really getting the whole picture. She usually chomps on the dumbbell (they are supposed to hold it still in their mouth), sits crooked, doesn't sit close enough, doesn't sit still, and isn't clearly waiting for me to say "give it" -- tho sometimes she accidently starts to drop it at the same time I say "give it!!" She has lots of fun, tho.

Iggy does such a wonderful heel off-lead in the front yard, but he is easily distracted. Today, we were doing an "about turn" when Evinrude (aka Little Missy Bad Cat) came into the yard from the jungle/woods. He started to run to her, but when I called him back to heel he came running! Yeah!!!! That's a big improvement over last week at the show and JUST what we needed. If I had been thinking, taking him down to Hanover to practice on the green (where there are lots of distractions from the Dartmouth College activities and people) would have been a good idea. Oh well, it will have to wait until next week.