This week we have been mostly running free in the forest, with random recalls thrown in. Today I decided to do some lead walking, just around the roads where we live. Started off a bit iffy, lots of stop/start waiting for slack lead. Then a white fluffy cat appeared & Coco went crazy. I tried to get focus, but he was way to excited - barking, lunging and generally after the cat, who eventually got up and disappeared through the hedge. We regained composure and managed to carry on nicely, lovely lead walking - click & treat much less frequently now. Then Coco spotted a pair of gloves, bundled up, in the middle of someone's driveway, I think he thought it was a cat because we got the same reaction. Coming back I thought it would be a great opportunity to practice distraction and "leave" - I mean the gloves weren't going anywhere. Slowly, slowly we were able to approach the gloves without lunging or barking. We sniffed them....then he grabbed them - oh Coco! I hope the homeowners were out...I don't know what they would have made of me & my mad dog, in their driveway, tiptoeing up to a pair of discarded gloves. I left them on the front doorstep.
Ah Coco you are doing so well and managing to regain composure after a cat incident I would say is very good. Love the glove story Sue and any opportunity to train is great, I use anything and everything. You are making great strides with your lovely boy x
