Mike’s Doghouse

Mike and I (along with Lorna and Sam) went to our second Basic Manners class today. Technically, I guess you could say it was the first class since the dogs didn’t attend the original first class but we’ll not confuse me further and just call this one the second.

Anyway, it really felt as if a lot of what we are covering was already done in Puppy Class. Gail, the instructor for that class, stopped by to pet Mike and I mentioned this to her. She said to use this as an opportunity to get SIT and FOCUS really strong in Mike and that the next class or so will start in with new things.

We worked on SIT, FOCUS, and Loose Leash Walking today. It is hard for me to do the leash work because we are confined to a small space and I must turn around a lot. Mike is great loose leash walking in such a small space but as soon as class was over and we headed toward the door? Oy. We eventually got to the truck (after stopping many many times) and got him loaded. Mike knows SIT really well although he is trying to get away with not doing it. Part of that is my fault since I am giving him second (and even 3rd!) tries to do it. I need to get back to Say It Once.

We tried out a new harness today, another front connecting one called the Sense-ation harness produced by Softouch Concepts. This one was the original design produced before Gentle Leaders’ Easy Walking Harness. We tried this one because the design is supposed to be a little better with narrow chested breeds (such as young Mike) in that it doesn’t cut into their armpits as bad as the Easy Walker did. Mike liked it and I think I will order one. He certainly pulled less while it was on! Sam had on one of Joella’s old harnesses that has a metal ring in the front. He did so well with it that Lorna got one of the Easy Walker’s for him to try out this week. Since he is much wider at the chest, the strap shouldn’t bother him.

Everyone says how cute and handsome Mike is. He is growing taller each day! I need to get some pictures of Mike, Sam, and Joella sitting together. Easy enough since they all know WAIT. Ha.