Reflection #4 -- We all are doing something right!

I think sharing our ideas is a wonderful way for all of us to learn.

I think the problems that Terry expressed are the most common and all of us have had to deal with each and everyone of them. The most difficult is getting and keeping the dogs attention. I lost Jersey's and I thought she was going to walk right out of the ring on me, why she stopped was just pure luck.

All and all I trained very hard for this test. I worked with Jersey everyday rain or shine. When Sue said there was a hill, I went out and found trails with hills (not easy on the Cape) and walked them everyday. Thank God I did, I was some what prepared for the freight haul. Had I not listened I (me not the dog) would have failed the freight haul.

I think everyone has great ideas and I all ways keep my eyes and ears open for good advice. I watch everyone practice, I see what they do right and wrong, I try to do what they do right and try not to do what they do wrong. When someone else asks for advice I listen in for the answers.

My advice to anyone training is watch your friends, if you like the results they get try to do what they do. I watch Sue and Kathy like a hawk, when they speak I listen. We are very lucky to be among so many talented trainers, watch everyone. Look at Bob and Livvy train, Bob is kind and sweet to Livvy, not my best qualities, I liked his results and applied some of his kindness in my training. There is something to be learned from each and everyone of us.

Terry has shared some very good advice that she received, her voice, consequences, distractions when you train, we can all learn from what she has shared.

Everyone keep up the good work, we are all doing something right!!!

Molly

[Editor's comment. Cheryl picked Livvy from a litter as the most laid back of them all -- yes we did personality testing. There was a down-side to this as Livvy was extremely shy as a puppy. But always living with 2 or more dogs and getting out a lot, we were able to make that problem go away. Livvy is a "sensitive follower"; to yell at her breaks my heart. She has very rarely ever needed yelling. The same technique will not always work on all dogs.]