The Errant Student

Tonight was Guinness’s next-to-the-last Grade 1 class, and he was VERY bad. I did not take any photos of him as he was not worthy. Last week he was so perfect. Ugh! We were too lax this week. When the days were nice last Wednesday through Friday, we felt like we needed a break. It has rained ever since, so we basically did no training this week. It really showed! They began the evening with a Leash Respect exercise (walking casually on leash without pulling while the handler stops, changes directions, etc.) of walking around a tin can filled with something that rattled. The handler was to walk his dog to the can, pick it up and shake it, set it down, and return to his seat. All the dogs were distracted by it, but came right back leaving the can in the middle of the room. Not Guinness! Both times he did it, he picked up the can and brought it back with him – which was fine as long as he did not allow the leash to be taunt. He was the comic of the evening. At home, he is perfect on “Come”– even when we are out of sight, he still comes on command. Not tonight! He ignored Grant, then became distracted half way. Near the end of class when the dogs were on a down stay with the leash lying on the floor, he had had enough and played “In and Out the Windows” as he raced around most of the dogs on one side of the room with no one being able to catch him. We are going to have to beef up our homework routine this week so that he can graduate. Ha!