2/18/24

Since I'm trying to improve Rivers's staying on the track at turns, I did the turn tracks . I also I turned my body in a different direction at dropped articles & turns. We had the obedience trial later in the day, so I didn't want to tire her too much. She did not close her eyes to rest at all the day before at the rally trial.

So, she was really eager to go on the track. I've no idea why, probably anticipating fetch practice. She did stay on the track, went past the mid leg food drops, downed for the articles. Even when I turned in a different direction at the articles and turns, she searched for the track and found it quickly. I still had short, 6-10 ft line.

River was in general a super dog today. Her lovely track above. And then, a lovely surprise and boost to my training confidence. She was really eager and excited to do her obedience run. A win...Beginner Novice 197/200. She actually got a compliment from the judge that it was excellent. She was totally engaged and locked in for both tracking and obedience . It was as if her various training classes meshed together to give me a dog that did the exercises in the way I knew she could. Lesson: my attitude is important. I know she can do these exercises and I should keep that mindset so she senses it and acts accordingly.