JUST ONE WEEK LEFT

Just one week left. The time seems to be going by very quickly. By this time next Thursday, I expect to be home.

Trinity and I worked doubles with another student for the famed Elm Street Solo this morning. We completed the circuit managing to resolve any issues that came up along the way.

This afternoon another member of our small group and I went with our trainer to Madison, a town near here on the bus and returned on the train. While waiting for the connection back, we shopped at a grocery store under the watchful eye of our instructor so that the dogs could work through it with all the food distractions. While waiting for the train, we worked the dogs on platform refusal. They have been trained to avoid the platform edge and they refused to get us near it. If we give them the forward command when facing the edge, they turn and walk along it. Yet, when the train comes, they are not spooked by the noise and easily walk us to the entrance. This is a full size train.

Each of us has a visit with the vet toward the end of class. My afternoon partner and I had our visits just before dinner today. Trinity has had no real medical issues. She was treated last October for an ear infection, but she has been healthy. She was micro chipped today at reduced cost to me and we were given a six month supply of heart worm preventative and flea protection. I now have her vet records to take to my vet at home.

After dinner, I had a continuation of the optional clicker training. I learned how to teach her to target my chair in the dining room using auditory cues. Very innovative. .

At 6:30 we had another lecture on harness care. We were familiarized with all parts of the harness. We have been using training harnesses, but we now have the new ones that we will take home. In the past, we have been responsible for oiling them ourselves, but now this has been done for us.

We were also instructed in how to begin giving freedom in the room. We have been given the bell that clips to the collar and this helps us to know what the dog is doing. We discussed all aspects including how to give measured amounts of water initially building up to free water with no accidents on route or in the rooms. We are also to begin to leave our dogs alone on tie down for a few minutes at a time and gradually build up to leave them for 30 minutes on tie down in the room with no whimpering or barking. Our dogs are with us most of the time, but there are circumstances where it is not advisable for them to go. Such a list might include a rock concert, a fire works display, a hot day at the beach, or a zoo. They must be able to stay alone without separation anxiety causing them to be destructive. Complete freedom at home is the ultimate goal.
From all indications so far, Trinity has excellent behavior in the room. There are two criteria for freedom. She must come when called and she must be able to go to her place and stay there when told. She does come immediately when called and goes easily to her place and stays when told if I walk with her there. As she does this more, she will soon be able to go there alone. She definitely did so this evening at feeding time in anticipation of getting her food delivered there. She can be playful, but she is not wild when free and does not pick up things that are not her toys. She does not offer to get on the bed. She is a very good girl.