Snow day on Sunday. Elsie (Springador pup) pulled a sled. A harness (rather than a collar) was attached to to the dog at one end and a sled at the other and hay presto. Sophie loved it. Eislie loved it. She had a job to do and she was very proud of herself for doing it. Good dog.
Tonight I took Elsie for her first lesson in a 6 week course called Puppy Life Skills at Tailwaggers in Harrogate. Good stuff. A reward based positive reinforcement, non coercive approach. Down to earth common sense practical stuff. Part of the time we were there, I felt like the dad of the school brat as she was barking a whole bunch – and at other times I felt like the proud dada who’s kid has just won a gold prize (when the had us up demonstrating how good she is at Sit and Lie Down.) All creatures great and small. Well, all dogs great and small. Well, all dogs, small. Poppy from the Puppy Party was there. This could be why she got so excited. Puppy Party was ALL about the good fun – this session had (by comparison, from a dogs perspective for this session) quite boring.
Angela who runs the class, comes across as someone who’s got stacks of knowledge and experience. Just what we need. It feels like it’s going to do both the dog and I some good. Elsie’s now wiped out and having a good ol’ sleep in her box now.