December 10, 2024

 I meant to post about our track on the day we ran it (the 10th), but forgot so I'm a day late.  My goal for yesterday was to work on duration (a long first leg) so we went to the soccer field at the old Watkins Annex and did two tracks.  Each track had a long first leg (120 yards).  The first track had a 60 degree turn to the left and the 2nd leg was about 20 yards.  The 2nd track had a 70 degree turn to the right and the 2nd leg was about 30 yards.  I'm still doing food drops every 2 steps and staying as close as I can to her.  She was eager to get out and flew through the first track.  We took a little break in between and I tried giving her some water but she didn't take it.  I put a treat in it (chicken) and she just looked at me like "why did you do that with a perfectly good treat?"  We ran the 2nd track and she wanted to overshoot the right turn, but since I was close to her I stopped so she was only about 2-3 feet past.  I then backed up a couple steps so she could think about that again.  She found the turn and went on to nose the article.

Hoping we can at least get out on Thursday or Friday of this week before my relatives get here, but so much to do by then!  

Comments

  1. Jack's JourneyDecember 11, 2024 at 4:41 PM

    I would continue to train the 'water' - you can work on this at agility or when you get home from a walk too. Just make sure you pop the treat in the bowl, then add the water, then offer. And yes Anne is right, we would love for you to fill out the GOALS form and include a map. You can take a picture of the map and upload it to your blogger page. I am happy that you are staying close to her. And keep working on your article indication. That could be a 'trick' you show off to your family for Christmas!! I used to have a new Christmas trick every year back when we entertained our parents. Enjoy your family!

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  2. Anne (Mila)December 12, 2024 at 2:54 PM

    Glad you made it out again! I'm not sure how you did the watering, but I tried Mary Ann's technique over the weekend and it worked surprisingly well! Not that I'm surprised Mary Ann had a good strategy just more surprised by Mila being cooperative about it 😂. Similar to Vivi, Mila can be sensitive to noises and other external stimuli and often won't take water on the track even though every part of her body language screams she needs it! Anyway, I put the food in the dish part and added the tiniest amount of water. Mila wanted the treats, but considered it too much water, so I tilted it such that the treats weren't in water (but they were wet) and she ate them and then I released more water and she drank. Not sure if that's how you attempted it...if not, then I'd give that a try. Plus, I'd practice it away from the track (like just in your back yard, in the house, etc) some to take any of her background worries out of the equation. Have fun with the family madness :)!

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