After Rachel's morning exam try, we went to Frank's in the afternoon to practice again. Plenty of distractions, Poppy was improving for being at a new location, but still not quite there.
Just before the early sunset, we did three more tests with Janet, Jeanne, and then Rachel. Janet's went better than she thought it would, but Poppy still not always with her.
Jeanne also did good in some areas and not as good in others. Still that lagging at times. Tried giving firmer corrections. She was distracted by the cat in the window and the geese flying over and the darkness coming on.
Rachel did another 3rd try at the exam by flashlight and porchlight. Cat in the window, a fox crying in the distance, and just having a tired dog. Definitely feel like overall Poppy showed signs of improvement today.
ReplyDeleteJeanne November 17, 2024 at 3:59 PM
Lots of work today. Rachel's earlier post of the exam, then practice at Frank's, then 3 more tests in the evening. We're all d.o.n.e.
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RoxanneNovember 17, 2024 at 4:53 PM
Poppy isn't D.O.N.E. why there are geese a flying overhead and critters about and possibly evening flying insects, too? LOL, made me smile to see how each of you worked so hard to help Poppy succeed, despite her wandering eyes🤭.
Poppy's Sit/Stays are stellar, her AS's are there, not in perfect position, but she is reading the KISS and responding. Stand is good and the Down's are quite good. Jeanne and Janet, the winching is quite good. Heeling IS improved, but none of you did the forward right diagonal step when Poppy is wide or rubber necking (which happens often). You might want to review how to do that corrective step and utilize it with Poppy who needs it.
The biggest thing I look for in an EXAM is the following:
1) Does the dog know what to do and is it working FOR and WITH the handler?
&
2)Does the handler know what to do, when to help that dog succeed in that moment?
Yes and Yes for all 3 of you so the Vickster's Tests are passes. I will upload the infamous Steing Test EXAM in the morning. Patience is required as you can expect that you will do many times before passing. BUT, all three of you CAN pass the String Test based on these Vickster's EXAMs. You will need regular thread, not quilting thread, regular thread. Please pick a color I can easily see. Let's chat tomorrow evening during Zoom so I can encourage you and provide some pointers.
Bravo, well done. And now you are all D.O.N.E.
🤗Roxanne