Training - look into my eyes
Yes, we are still Schutzhund training although the flurry of spring flower poses may be obscuring it. Tristan was laid up last week because of his paws but he's all better now and today was sunny, gorgeous and perfect for being on the field.
In obedience the main thing I'm working on is getting Tristan to pay absolute attention to me. Wait, haven't I been working on this from day one? Yes, dammit. Actually, Tristan has come a long way from the wild child of his youth to a reasonably in control big guy but there's still more work to be done. The clincher is "absolute" in both attention and control.
Thus we're doing lots of drills. Tristan has to pay attention to me regardless of any distraction so, Svengali-like, I intone "look into my eyes". Yes, that's the ticket - I'll hypnotize him into submission. If only. Instead, we're doing a lot of attention under distraction work. Tristan must look directly at me even when there's lots of activity going on around us like tugs flying around, dogs working nearby or folks milling around. Sitz means sit/pay attention not just sit. Ditto for all the basic positions. This is basic stuff but we're regrouping so we will look a pretty picture all the time, not just when it's convenient for the changeling.
Protection is not a problem.
After training we headed to the tulip fields. We originally planned to go last week but were home on bed rest. Too bad because all of the tulips were gone: nada, zip, not a bloom in sight. I thought they would still be around since the weather delayed them this year but no such luck. It wasn't a major disappointment since it was so beautiful out and the tour was just an excuse for a drive.
We cruised into LaConner and I checked out a store that usually has some great hats but was able to resist purchasing any. It's a bit embarrassing when one's own collection encompasses most of the inventory. Next was a quick stop at Bay View State Park.
Then on to Edison (quite the gathering spot these days) and up Chuckanut Drive to admire the views. Meandering back to Seattle I stopped at the Conway Pub for some really good oysters. A pickup truck with three German Shorthair Pointers in the back pulled up and parked a space away while I was there. Whoo, when the middle vehicle pulled out, the pointers went nuts after spotting Tristan. Pretty tough act or maybe they were mad that Tristan's been known to do a mean impression of a German Shepherd Pointer and they don't like the competition. The pointers were cute and put on a good show for those of us outside in the courtyard. Tristan nobly ignored them.
It was a long, lovely day in the sunshine.
In obedience the main thing I'm working on is getting Tristan to pay absolute attention to me. Wait, haven't I been working on this from day one? Yes, dammit. Actually, Tristan has come a long way from the wild child of his youth to a reasonably in control big guy but there's still more work to be done. The clincher is "absolute" in both attention and control.
Thus we're doing lots of drills. Tristan has to pay attention to me regardless of any distraction so, Svengali-like, I intone "look into my eyes". Yes, that's the ticket - I'll hypnotize him into submission. If only. Instead, we're doing a lot of attention under distraction work. Tristan must look directly at me even when there's lots of activity going on around us like tugs flying around, dogs working nearby or folks milling around. Sitz means sit/pay attention not just sit. Ditto for all the basic positions. This is basic stuff but we're regrouping so we will look a pretty picture all the time, not just when it's convenient for the changeling.
Protection is not a problem.
After training we headed to the tulip fields. We originally planned to go last week but were home on bed rest. Too bad because all of the tulips were gone: nada, zip, not a bloom in sight. I thought they would still be around since the weather delayed them this year but no such luck. It wasn't a major disappointment since it was so beautiful out and the tour was just an excuse for a drive.
We cruised into LaConner and I checked out a store that usually has some great hats but was able to resist purchasing any. It's a bit embarrassing when one's own collection encompasses most of the inventory. Next was a quick stop at Bay View State Park.
Then on to Edison (quite the gathering spot these days) and up Chuckanut Drive to admire the views. Meandering back to Seattle I stopped at the Conway Pub for some really good oysters. A pickup truck with three German Shorthair Pointers in the back pulled up and parked a space away while I was there. Whoo, when the middle vehicle pulled out, the pointers went nuts after spotting Tristan. Pretty tough act or maybe they were mad that Tristan's been known to do a mean impression of a German Shepherd Pointer and they don't like the competition. The pointers were cute and put on a good show for those of us outside in the courtyard. Tristan nobly ignored them.
It was a long, lovely day in the sunshine.
posted by fpa at 11:17 PM
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