MENTORING SESSION:8/5/10

Cathy/Rooster

Jan/Nadador

Lynn/Lily

Kat Fuller

DOG PARK CONQUERED!

Not a single Flip was taken, unfortunately. We cover a lot of ground while at this location.

The dogs tested their Level Two behaviors in the street in front of the Dog Park. Dogs and people were passing but the FDs maintained their focus and attention. Cathy and Jan used their new Training Record Charts. We're all looking ahead to L2 BMO and beginning L3.

LEASH, Steps 2 and 4, walking to and from the gate to the Dog Park AND walking across the El Prado bridge.....on grass and concrete and mulch. Jan worked on eliminating the "Let's Go" cue and both trainers began weaning off of the pb and cheese. Cathy worked Rooster exclusively on his red collar. Jan discovered a need for more LL training on her right side (Leash: L2: Steps 1 - 5)

Walking with the walker. Going around the walker.

Cathy and Jan handled the concerned and well-intentioned public as Lynn and Lily practiced Lily remaining on a Down Stay beside Lynn on the ground, with both people and dogs passing....just outside the Dog Park. We observed how Stand actually becomes a "brace" when the Opposition Reflex kicks in.

Kat (Kathy Fuller) joined us for the entire session. She and Cathy talk Levels in "teacher speak".

Then on to Lynn's on Coronado to play with Landry for a bit (see video)

From there the whole kit and kaboodle moved on to No Island NAS for lunch on the patio of the Food Court. Following lunch we trained in the vicinity of the Food Court on Level 2 behaviors, finding environmental objects where we practiced Paws Up, Surfaces, stairs, Go Round, Leash position when pushing a cart. The girls took it beyond limits when Jan put Nad inside the grocery cart and Rooster did a lovely Paws Up in order to push the cart.

Throughout, criteria was clear and maintained. We discussed innovative ways each trainer could make the group coaching sessions on Tuesdays work to advance each individual team.

Our next mentoring session will be held IN Balboa Park with a focus on working under threshold in the vicinity of young children. In anticipation, we discussed characteristics of children's behavior that are of concern to dogs, safety and liability issues around children, simulating the unexpected children's behaviors in training.

Cathy and Jan. Please add your observations and comments to this verbal Flip.