Its late and has been a very long day, but I can't resist writing an entry about class tonight. Gimme is doing sooooooo well. She really loves the classes, is learning a LOT and makes clear progress on her issues every time. I can't help but mention what an incredible smarty pants she is. I know I say that all the time, but she really is catching on to some new things very quickly.
One of the things our Tuesday class is working on is to teach the dogs to wrap themselves in a blanket - which means they have to roll over. So we use the smaller upstairs room when we are working on rolling over, because its carpeted. Gimme knows how to roll over, but usually is challenged enough just by the closer quarters along with lack of visual barriers.
Each week she makes good progress, doing better just being able to focus on me and work with the distraction of the other dogs being so close. I have been working on her matt work in that room and was free-shaping her to roll onto one hip, hoping that if she had a more relaxed posture she might actually feel more relaxed. (there's a name for this principle - I just can't think of it right now)
For awhile tonight she seemed to be getting it and then was stumped again and finally in frustration, she offered me her "grape" roll over! I was stunned, not expecting her to even think about that behavior, much less do it, in such a challenging environment. We've never done it outside my own living room, so I was sure it was a long way off before she'd do it in class. Fortunately I had the presence of mind to jackpot her "grape" with at least twenty treats. After that I was able to cue and get it three more times. And this with an Alaskan Malamute just 12 feet away!!!
Have I mentioned recently how smart she is?
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