Never Enough Time In The Day

139 days to go...

One of the things I find most irritating about work is how it gets in the way of dog training. However, instead of coming home and collapsing on the couch, even though I'd had a late finish, I reminded myself how much training we still had to do and headed virtually straight out to the dogs. I find it helps raise one's enthusiasm to phrase questions to oneself such as 'Which do you want more, to watch that repeat of The Simpsons for the thirtieth time or win the Nationals?" When you put it like that, it certainly puts it all in perspective!

So since there was not much daylight left, I did 2x2s right off because my artificial lighting is less than brilliant and I want them to be able to see where they are going! Fyre was absolutely awesome tonight, still some things that need polishing, but wicked entries and SO much enthusiasm - throwing the food container has really been great for that. Once again re-iterating the point on transfer of value - the food container has a much higher value than any of the toys I was using, thus the improved performance.

Josh did ok, though he did some nice entries and did both sets of 2x2s in sequence several times he was less interested in the toy than sniffing about where Fyre had been. Note to self - must work on retrieves with Josh. Bringing the toy back has certainly been a weak point and it's time I put some proper work into it.

Billie was part of the training session too, doing crate games. As you may have heard in previous videos she tends to whinge and bark and get herself all stirred up when I work the other dogs, which usually leads to her being shut inside. Deciding I was being altogether too slack in not working on this issue, I today set her up in the crate where she could see everything and rewarded her for being quiet, for eye contact with me, for sitting etc. Basically any behaviour she offered that was not jumping around or barking/whining. I did this between each run with the other dog I was working, and towards the end of the session I saw improvement already.

Then, determined not to give up on my power walks, I put the other two away and Fyre and I had a lovely brisk walk down to the beach where he had a quick run and then back home again. By this time it was after 9 so just enough time to spend a few minutes on the computer and make my own tea, then on to updating this blog! In a moment I am off to feed the canine and feline kids, and may have a quick game of Touch and Go with the dogs, since I can do that in just a few minutes each. And some time after that I'll be able to fall into bed and start all over again tomorrow!!!

Like I said, never enough time in the day :)