I Need a Tutor!

As most of you know, I passed Basic Obedience class by a hair! You would THINK that Mom would take that as a sign that she needed to work harder and more consistently with me in Intermediate. Has she? Noooooooooooooooo!

Yesterday was my worst day of school yet. I refused to listen to 90% of her commands. Not only that but because there’s minimal shade where we practice, Miss Terah put a misting system on the floor to keep the pavement cool. Well, you know what that means – wet, wet, wet. EVERYWHERE!

They actually expected me to SIT and LAY DOWN on that wet yuckiness. UGH!

Note how Mom kindly found me a dry spot.

I even gave Miss Terah a hard time today when Mom told her I wasn’t listening.

That’s me in the back wiggling on my back instead of laying in a perfect “down”. Miss Terah says it’s just my personality to lay on my back and to be silly. See how I made Mom go to one of the few dry spots again? See how I still needed Miss Terah’s intervention?? See the death stare Mom was giving me????

One thing I am mastering is “heel”. Mom can now drape my leash around her neck and I will walk right by her side even when she side-steps and turns.

Oh, if you’re wondering about that rake, it’s there on purpose. It’s a “distraction”. When Miss Terah first brought it out, we were put into a sit-stay and she was dragging it. I got up when she dragged it near me. I mean, do you see the size of that thing?! And the noise it made. OMD! Terrible.

Here’s a list of what I’m supposed to be able to do and whether I do it or not:

-Heel: √

-Automatic sit: This is when you’re in motion during heel and your Mom stops walking, you should sit automatically. I used to do this all the time. Now, I only sometimes do this.

-Right and left turn without guidance (without pulling leash): I’m still working on doing this without guidance but I did a lot better at it today.

-Right and Left 360 turn: With guidance, I’m okay. I still trip Mom up a little bit.

-Side-step to the right: √ I’m a side-stepping MASTER!

-Reverse heel: Ummm, we might be doing this but Mom says she doesn’t recall BOL!

-Down without help from front or side: I do good from side most of the time but I’m really bad from the front. Mom usually has to help (foot on leash) or threaten to help.

-Sit from down without help: Negative. I need help 99% of the time.

-Stand-Stay for 3 seconds at end of leash and go around: This is where I have to stay still and then when Mom comes back to me, she has to walk around (behind) me and then back to starting position. I’m usually good about this.

-1 minute Sit-Stay: This one really tests me but I can pull it off if I have to.

• Also with go around: 95% of the time

-3 minute Down-Stay: This is the one that will flunk me. Mom’s lucky if I do 30 seconds.

• Also with go around: Well, I’ve never made it past 30 seconds but when Mom’s practiced go arounds with the shorter down-stay, I’m pretty awful at it.

-Come: At training, I’m a pro. In real life, I still pretend I can’t hear Mom.

– Finish: This is for when I’m in front of Mom or anywhere not near her side (starting position). I have to either go around her from the right side and sit on her left side or go towards her left and spin in a circle until I’m facing forward and sit. I still need assistance on this one but I’m getting good at it.

Graduation is in 3 weeks. OMD! I have SO much work to do!!!