Hi everyone, just popping by to say hi from Tess and I! We're doing really well ☺ Tess just had her first season and was surprisingly settled on little exercise but it's so lovely to be out and about with her again! Her loose lead walking is great and I'm able to keep her under threshold more and more. I think she'should more focussed on me since her season. We went back to the outdoor training class which we left when she was younger. I don't rate the classes but we're able to quietly do our own thing and use it as an opportunity to train around other dogs. I think the most useful things I've taught Tess (besides a good recall!) are 'look at that' and 'touch'. Both are so, so helpful for control around distractions. We still have lots to learn together but I think we're heading in the right direction ☺ I'll add a photo later!
Nice to hear from you and Tess . I found Harley calmed down a lot after her first season......your baby is growing up . I think classes are good for working around distractions too. Sounds like you are both doing really well. Look forward to photos
Sounds great. Looking forward to photos. I still rate "look at that" as one of the most practical things I have worked on with Willow. Yesterday morning, we were out on our walk, up on a hill with some buildings below. There is some work being done on the roofs of the buildings and someone dropped something BIG off the roof. There was a sudden, massive crashing noise that made Willow (and me!!) jump, but instead of running off in fright, she turned and came to me instead, looking at me inquisitively. I chirpily told her it was OK and she quite happily carried on her merry way. It's so nice that she trusts me to make the right decisions. I think nine months is quite a special age. They still look like puppies so can get away with a bit more, but are also starting to get a bit of sense and impulse control.
Ah what a lovely progress report,Himto you both,glad her season didn't knock her abut too much.I felt the same about a set of classes I used for Dexter at about the same age .....they weren't great but I got to practice his focus around other dogs....great job on the loose lead walking too Best Wishes Angela x
Thank you for all your lovely replies. It's been hard work having a Labrador puppy as well as 4 young children but I've really enjoyed spending time with her and it feels like the little training sessions we do each day are starting to pay off - thankfully, because she's a big strong girl now! Puppies are cute but I'll take my big chilled out girl who lounges around the house (and follows me wherever I go!). I need to start a new thread about a couple of training things but in the meantime here's a photo:
