On We Roll

Rio is still bored and still full of herself. She had her stitches out 10 days ago and she’s in full coat-blowing mode; seems to be her stress response to anesthetic/being left at the vet, since she did this after stitches in her paw as well.

Trick training is keeping her mildly entertained. We’ve got backing up to a much better distance. Object retrieve is going pretty well, she’ll fetch my car keys although not to my hand. Stand is not going all that great and I’m now formulating a new approach. I’ve been trying to lure her into position but I know I’d be better shaping it with the clicker, but I’ve always found that difficult for a stand. Bow is also going ok! Kim learnt to bow but Mollie and Dylan never did, so I haven’t done this one in a while. More practise for me!

I’ve also been doing some scentwork games with the whole gang. Kim doesn’t get to play very often since she ends up getting angry with everyone for eating what could have potentially been her food. Dylan loves these games, gets super exciting and gets very animated, his tail waving like a flag as he rushes about like an idiot. Rio is the opposite! She gets very focused and methodical. She’s very cute when she’s concentrating hard on something.

She has started lead walks again this week, and I’m trying to find “interesting” places to walk her. That’s turning out to be quite difficult, there’s only so many places you can find on the outskirts of a Yorkshire village. I might take her on a day trip to Lincoln this weekend with Dylan, although it’ll depend on the weather.

Can’t wait til this time next week when we reach the month mark! I’ll feel more comfortable about adding in a few proper walks and so on, and maybe do some flatwork for agility in the weeks after that.