Traveling Pointing Dogs

When I went out to work Sally on force fetch this morning the temperature was already in the 70’s. I thought I was ready for warm weather but maybe not. I let her run while I got the bumpers laid out on the retrieving bench.

Sally

The 3/4 inch pipe with duct tape ball on one end.

A really big bumper.

She jumped onto the retrieving bench and I walked her back and forth. I put the string on her leg and circled her two center toes with a half hitch. I picked up the first bumper in the line, pulled on the string and said, “fetch”. She took the bumper and I walked her down the bench then turned and walked back. She held the bumper as I petted her and told her what a good girl she is.

We went through all of the bumpers. I only had her retrieve each of them two times a piece but she walked down the bench and back with each bumper. She held each of them even the really big one until we were putting them in the basket. I was really bouncy when we were taking them back to the basket and she acted like she was enjoying it.

When we got to the really big bumper she dropped it before we got close to the basket. I pulled on the string and she took the bumper. I walked her on to the basket but didn’t take the bumper. I had her go back to the other end of the bench. She got about half way and dropped the bumper. I pulled on the string and held the bumper in front of her. She took it and we walked to the end of the bench then turned and went to the basket. She held it while I petted her then dropped it in my hand when I said, “give”.

I petted her for a while then set her on the ground. I let her run for a few minutes then took her back to the kennel.

I cleaned pens and fed the dogs and other animals then turned her out to run while I got the bumpers ready. She came in and jumped onto the retrieving bench. It was about 80 degrees and really humid. She was panting hard. I tried to get her to hang on to the bumpers but she was panting too hard.

After about 3 bumpers I knew this wasn’t going to work but I wanted her to carry the bumpers back to the basket. She had no problem with the smaller bumpers and especially the dowel rod bumpers. But when we came to the real big bumper she wasn’t going to carry it. I held it in front of her, pulled on the string and said, “fetch”. She took the bumper and when we started down the bench she spit it out. I pulled on the string, held the bumper in front of her and said, “fetch”. She took the bumper and I hurried her to the basket. She held it while I petted her but I took it pretty quick. She was still panting real hard.

I petted her for a while then set her on the ground. I released her to run then took her back to the kennel. It will be cooler tomorrow and we will try again.

What a difference a day makes. I worked Sally this morning, on force fetch, when the temperature was in the low forties and she did great. I let her run while I got the bumpers ready and she jumped onto the bench when she came back from her run.

The big bumper.

I put the string on her leg with a half hitch around her middle toes. I had nine bumpers on the other end of the bench. I had her take each one then walk to the other end of the bench and back. When we got back I petted her while she held the bumpers. I said, “give” and she dropped the bumper in my hand. I held the bumper with one end on the bench and had her pick it up. As soon as she grabbed it I had her walk to the other end of the bench then back. After the second time with each bumper I put it to the back and had her take another. When we finished all nine I had her carry them to the basket.

The only one she dropped was the real big one and she only dropped it once. The string had come off of her toes but I pulled on the string and she grabbed the bumper and we went to the other end with it. When it came time to take it back to the basket she carried it with no problem.

When we got all of our bumpers back in the basket I put her on the ground. I’ve been working her with coming to me on the tone on the e-collar. As she ran she went off of my property to the west. This area has lots of deer. I let her go for a little while then hit the tone button and called her. I watched the cut where she had gone in and about 15 seconds she bounded into the open in a dead run to me. I knelt down and she was going too fast when she got to me but she circled me and stopped in front. I petted her then released her to run. I took her back to the kennel.

It stayed cool, today, so after feeding and cleaning dog pens and taking care of the other animals I worked Sally on force fetch again. As I was getting the bumpers laid out on the bench a rabbit hopped up right in front of her. She was still chasing the bunny when she went out of sight to the west. I got everything ready then hit the tone button on the electric collar. After about 30 seconds I saw her coming in a dead run. She ran under the retrieving bench then came back around and jumped on top. I petted her for a while to let her quit panting then put the string on her leg.

Sally

After her breathing slowed I held a bumper in front of her and said, “fetch”. She grabbed it and we went to the other end of the bench then back. She dropped it in my hand and I held the bumper on the bench top with my hand still on it and said, “fetch”. She grabbed it and we went to the end of the bench then turned and came back. I petted her and took the bumper from her. I had 10 bumpers out and she retrieved each of them 2 times. The only one that was a problem was the really big one.

When she grabbed that one she spit it out after just a couple of steps. The half hitch had come off her toes and I pulled on the string and she grabbed the bumper. Again, she dropped it after a couple of steps. I put the half hitch around her toes and when I pulled on the string she grabbed the bumper. This time she took it to the end, turned around and came back. I had her hold the bumper while I petted her then took it from her. I held one end on the bench, pulled on the string and said, “fetch”. She grabbed the bumper and we went down the bench. She turned, started back and spit out the bumper. I pulled on the string, held one end of the bumper on the bench and said, “fetch”. She grabbed the bumper. We went to the other end then back. I petted her and took the bumper. I went to another bumper.

After she did all ten bumpers I had her carry them to the basket. She did great until we came to the big bumper. She grabbed it just like she did the others but when she took a step or two she spit the bumper out. I had to put the string back around her toes but when I pulled on the string she grabbed the bumper. She carried it to the basket. All of the rest she carried with no problem. I petted her and set her on the ground.

I released her to run. Again, I let her get out quite away then called her back with the tone on the e-collar. I took her back to the kennel.

She is starting to like to carry the bumpers, I think. All but the big one. Having the big one makes her learn that she must get something whenever I say, “fetch”. We will keep working on this until she is running down the bench, grabbing a bumper then coming back with it.

Sally

Sally

I hate this bumper.

I had a busy day so I was only able to work Sally, on force fetch, one time today. I cleaned pens and fed dogs and the other animals then led Sally out with the piggin’ string.

I think I have 9 different retrieving devices on the bench.

When she drops the bumper and the stress gets to her she lies down.

Back to the basket.

I brought her out with the piggin’ string and she had an e-collar around her neck. I heeled her a ways then whoaed her, put the piggin’ string across her back and had her heel through several turns and a few 180 degree turns. I whoaed her, took the piggin’ string off and tapped her on the head to release her.

While she ran I put 7 different bumpers on the end of the retrieving bench. When she got close she jumped onto the bench to check the bumpers out. I put the string around her leg with a half hitch around two toes.

We went to the other end where the bumpers were and I held one in front of her and said, “fetch”. She didn’t open her mouth until I pulled on the string. After she took the bumper I stroked her head and tapped on the bumper. She held it until I said, “give” and she dropped it in my hand. After several retrieves with the first one I changed to another.

Not the next one but the third one she would hold it until I tapped on it then open her mouth and let it drop. I pulled on the string and slowly picked the bumper up and when I got close she would grab it. She would hold it for a few seconds then when I started tapping on the bumper she would open her mouth and drop it. I pulled on the string and slowly picked the bumper up. About the fourth time she quit dropping the bumper.

The next few bumpers she did real well then we got to the big one. I held it in front of her but with one end touching the bench top. I pulled on the string and said, “fetch”. She grabbed the bumper. I petted her and tapped on the bumper and she dropped it. She dropped it 4 or 5 times. She finally held it when I tapped on it and I was getting frustrated, so we quit.

But before we quit I took the string off and tried to get her to retrieve the bumpers that were lying on the bench. I held one in front of her and said, “fetch”. She acted like she had never heard the word before. I put the string back on her and we started over. I pulled on the string and said, “fetch”. She grabbed the bumper and I walked her to the basket. She dropped it in my hand and I dropped it in the basket. I decided that was letting her get off too easy so the rest of the bumpers I made her walk to the basket then to the other end then back to the basket. She carried them real well until we got to the big bumper. She held it and walked to the basket then to the other end then back toward the basket. Just before she got to the basket she dropped the bumper. I pulled on the string, slowly picked up the bumper and held it in front of her. She grabbed it. I walked her to the other end of the bench then back to the basket. I tapped on the bumper and she held on. I said, “give” and she dropped it in my hand. I petted her and put her on the ground.

I released her to run. She has dropped bumpers before and I know we will get through this but today I got frustrated with her. When I get frustrated I quit. No reason to do something that might keep her from ever retrieving. All dogs are different on how they learn and how long it will take. She is showing more of a stubborn streak than I thought she had. I put her back in the kennel.

We started with the usual.

It’s nice to go out without a coat. I went out about 9:00 am to work Sally on force fetch. After thinking about her dropping the bumper I decided to try something a little different than what I had been doing. She was standing still when she dropped the bumper. I was going to try having her fetch then walk her down the retrieving bench.

I brought Sally out with the piggin’ string and an e-collar around her neck. I heeled her with the piggin’ string lying on her back. After about 50 yards I whoaed her and released her to run.

While she ran I placed 9 bumpers on the other end of the retrieving bench. When I was ready for her to return I pushed the tone button on her e-collar and called her. I was about ready to hit the e-collar again when I saw her coming in a dead run. She must have been a long way toward the west. I knelt down when she got close but she jumped onto the retrieving bench.

She walked up and down the bench with me petting her every few feet. I put the string around her leg with a half hitch around the middle two toes. I took a bumper, held it in front of her and said, “fetch”. She didn’t try to take it until I pulled on the string. As soon as she took it I walked her to the end of the bench then back. She held it. I petted her then said, “give” and she dropped the bumper.

I went through all of the bumpers and had her take each one several times. As long as she was walking she held the bumper. A couple of times she dropped it but usually it was when she stopped. Each time she dropped the bumper I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. When I got close to her she would grab the bumper.

Sally

Usually, when I’m having a problem with a dog it’s my fault for not trying a different way to figure out what I should be doing instead of what I’m doing. I think, making her move as soon as she takes the bumper, keeps her from dropping the bumper, as often as she was. It also keeps me from getting frustrated with her.

We made a game out of putting all of the bumpers in the basket then I set her on the ground and let her run. I took her back to the kennel.

My afternoon was full so before lunch I went back and worked her again. After a little heeling work I turned her loose to run. I put the bumpers on the retrieving bench and called her back. She jumped onto the bench.

It was warm and she was panting pretty hard when we started. I shouldn’t have let her run until we were through but she enjoys the run. I put the string on her leg and toes after walking her back and forth on the bench.

I still have to pull on the string to get her to take the bumpers but it doesn’t take very much. As soon as she took the bumper I walked her to the other end of the bench then back. Even panting like she was she only dropped the bumper a couple of times. I think walking her on the bench is working.

We went through all nine bumpers then made a game out of taking them back to the basket. I petted her for a while then set her on the ground and released her to run. I took her back to the kennel.

This is the second week of force fetch and she’s picking the bumper up from the table, as long as I have my hand on it, and she will take a bumper above her eye level. With enough repetitions she will get through force fetch. And hopefully I will too.

The dreaded pipe.

Sally with the big one.

Sally with another wooden bumper.

I didn’t work Sally on force fetch Sunday. It snowed Sunday really hard for a little while. It’s April but I guess no one told Mother Nature. I had between one and two inches of snow. I spent the morning getting feed for the pigeons then worked Sally on force fetch in the afternoon, when it warmed a little.

Sally with plastic pipe.

Sally with a wooden dowel.

Sally with another wooden bumper.

I had left my piggin’ string at the house and I didn’t want to take time to get it so I brought Sally out with no leash or anything. That confused her. She finally walked beside me but she was never sure if she was doing the right thing. I whoaed her then tapped her head to release her. That she understood.

I stood by the retrieving bench until she came close then called her to me. She jumped onto the bench. Since I didn’t work her yesterday I started with the usual bumper. The plastic 1 1/2 inch pipe with duct tape on it. I had to pull on the string to get her to take it but she opened up with just a slight pull. After she took the bumper 5 or 6 times I changed to another bumper.

Now, she’s picking the bumper up pretty well from the bench but she’s wanting to turn away from me. Once I take the bumper from her she looks away or looks into the basket I have the bumpers in but she’s quick to turn back when I say, “fetch”. She’s starting to learn to get something in her mouth.

When I had her do several of the bumpers I decided to take the string off. My intention was to put her on the ground but then I thought it would be good to have her carry the bumper up and down the table. I grabbed a bumper and said, “fetch”. She tried to ignore me. I took her foot that I put the string on in my hand and squeezed it. Not even hard. She grabbed the bumper. I walked her down and back a couple of times then said, “give”. She dropped it in my hand. I immediately said, “fetch” and reached for her foot. This time all I had to do was take her foot in my hand. She grabbed the bumper. I walked her back and forth then put her on the ground. After she ran for a while I took her back to the kennel.

I cleaned pens and fed the dogs and my other animals then took Sally from her kennel with the piggin’ string. I heeled her a little way with the piggin’ string then dropped it over her back and had her continue to heel. After a few yards I whoaed her then tapped her head to release her.

While she was running I pulled 7 bumpers from the basket on the retrieving bench and laid them in a row on the other end of the bench. When she came back she jumped onto the bench and then had to check out the bumpers. I took her to the other end and put the string on her foot.

I took each of the bumpers one at a time and had her fetch and hold them. She still wants to drop one every once in a while. She took one of the plastic bumpers with knots on it by the end. I started tapping on the long end and she started to drop it. I told her to hold and continued to tap on it. She tightened her grip on the bumper.

Sally took one of the bumpers with the square ends on it and as I tapped on it she opened her mouth and let it drop. I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. When I got it in front of her she grabbed it. I tapped on the ends and she hung on.

There is 6 and Sally has the big one.

As we went through the bumpers I laid them back on the retrieving bench. After we had used each bumper several times I took the string from Sally’s foot. Again, I had forgotten to have her walk on the bench carrying a bumper. I called her down where the bumpers were and held one in front of her and said, “fetch”. She grabbed the bumper and we started toward the basket. I could tell she enjoyed carrying the bumper and I took it and threw it in the basket.

Sally was bouncy on the way back to the line of bumpers so I made a game of it. I held one in front of her and said, “fetch” and when she took it I made a big deal out of going toward the basket. When we got close she dropped it when I said, “give”. Out of the seven bumpers I had to grab her foot one time and then I just held her foot. I didn’t have to squeeze.

She liked the game with the bumpers and I hope she continues to like it. I will continue to do the game. Getting her to like to carry and give to me is what this whole exercise is supposed to do.

I had some stuff to do this morning so it was about 2:00 pm when I made it out to work Sally on force fetch. She’s always ready to go. I put the e-collar on her and led her out with the piggin’ string. I dropped the piggin’ string across her back and continued to heel her. I whoaed her and took the piggin’ string off. I tapped her head to release her.

As I got some bumpers out and laid them on the bench Sally jumped onto it. She ran back and forth smelling the bumpers. I hooked her to the chain on the pulley system and put the string around her leg and toes. I petted her for a few seconds while she settled down.

I took the bumper made from 1 1/2 inch plastic pipe and held it in front of her. She knew what I wanted but I had to pull on the string to get her to take the bumper. I tapped on the bumper and she let it drop. I pulled on the string and slowly reached for the bumper. When I got in front of her she grabbed it. I tapped on it and she held on. I said, “give” and she dropped it in my hand. I had her take it several times then laid it down.

Sally with the big one.

The next bumper was the big one. She opened with just a tug on the string. I tapped on the end and she dropped the bumper. I pulled on the string and slowly reached for the bumper. When I got close she took the bumper. I tapped on it but she held on. I had her fetch and hold several times then went to another bumper.

The bumpers made from dowel rods are her favorites. I think because they are small and light. I held the one with the square blocks on the end in front of her and she took it with no pull on the string. I had her take it several times then changed to the dowel rod with the exes on the end. She took it with no pull on the string. After a few retrieves we went to a small Styrofoam bumper. She did it just fine although I had to tug on the string a time or two.

Then I went to the one she hates. The 3/4 inch pipe with the duct tape ball on one end. I had to pull on the string to get her to open. She took the pipe close to the ball and held it correctly. I had her take it several times. She held it just fine.

I’m trying to make a game out of putting the bumpers back in the basket. I get’em out she brings’em back. Yesterday she seemed to really like it. Today she tolerated me.

I held the plastic pipe in front of her and said, “fetch”. She took it and I was really animated as we went toward the basket. Next we got the great big one. No problem. A couple of dowels were next. She was starting to like it. She was getting lots of petting. The little Styrofoam bumper I had to squeeze her foot to get her to take. Happy at the end near the basket. Then it was time for the 3/4 inch pipe. I held it in front of her and took her foot in my hand. With just a light squeeze she took the pipe. We started toward the basket and she almost stepped off the bench. The pipe went sailing. I just picked it up and when I held it in front of her she took it and carried it back to the basket. I petted her before I took it and after. She was pretty pumped by then.

The dreaded pipe.

I set her on the ground then released her to run. We went toward the back then back to the kennel.

After I cleaned pens and fed the dogs and other animals I brought Sally back out for session two. I let her run while I put 7 bumpers on the retrieving bench. When she came close and saw me getting the bumpers out she jumped onto the bench. She smelled them all. I put the string on her leg with a half hitch around her toes.

I held the 1 1/2 inch plastic bumper in front of her and said, “fetch” as I pulled on the string. She grabbed the bumper. I petted her and as I tapped on the bumper she dropped it. I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. When I came close to her nose she grabbed the bumper. I petted her and when I tapped on the bumper she dropped it. We went through this 4 times. Finally, she held it while I petted her and tapped on the bumper.

As we went through the 7 bumpers that I had on the retrieving bench she did the dropping thing with the real big bumper, also. I held the large bumper out and said, “fetch” as I pulled on the string. She took the bumper and as I petted her and tapped on the bumper she opened her mouth and let it fall. I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. She laid down but when I got close she grabbed the bumper. I petted her and when I tapped on the bumper she opened her mouth and dropped it. I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. She only did this 3 times.

After she was holding this bumper I took the string off and had her carry it to the basket I keep the bumpers in. We went back after another one and we made a game of taking them back. A couple of times she didn’t want to take the bumper and I had to squeeze her foot but I didn’t have to put much pressure. We got them all back in the basket and I set her on the ground to run.

Sally is trying to figure out what she can get by with. Not unlike a kid. Every time she spits a bumper out and I make her take it, it reinforces the retrieve, without dropping what ever I have her retrieve. We will continue until she does this without dropping or chewing on the bumpers. Then I will have her retrieve from the other end of the bench. Then we will go to the ground and start over. Hopefully, when we go to the ground it will not take as long.

When she holds it this close to the ball she will not drop it.

Sally

A really big bumper.

We had a really nice day yesterday for the force fetch training with Sally. Today, not so much. It was in the 40’s when I got up but in the upper 30’s by the time I went out to work Sally on the force fetch. May snow on Sunday. Will this winter never end?

The 3/4 inch pipe with duct tape ball on one end.

Another bumper.

She watches for the squirrel each time, at first.

I led her out of the kennel with the piggin’ string and we did a few turns to continue the training on heel. I laid the piggin’ string on her back and had her heel for several yards without restraint. I whoaed her, took the piggin’ string off and released her.

She ran and I walked to the bench. As I stood by the retrieving bench she jumped on to the bench. She, usually, looks over the side, in case the squirrel that was hiding under the bench the other day, was going to run out. I walk her back and forth petting her.

I grabbed a bumper but not the usual one I start with. This was the wooden dowel with square blocks on the end. I had to pull pretty hard to get her to take it but she finally did. Then it was no problem. She took it quickly after the first time. I had her take it several times then changed to another.

This morning we went through 5 different bumpers. She did all of them with the exception of the real big one with no problem. When I held the big one in front of her she turned her head away. I held the bumper in the same place but pulled a little harder on the string. She turned back and took the bumper. I had her take it 3 or 4 times and she did with no problem.

I’m not putting more pressure than it takes on force fetch but each refusal works to make her understand that when I say, “fetch” she must take something. I laid the end of some of these bumpers on the retrieving bench and she reached down and took them. Soon I will be able to take my hand off the bumper and she will take it but I’m in no hurry. When we get to that point we’ll get there.

After about 10 or 15 minutes on the retrieving bench I set her on the ground. She ran to the back of the property with me walking along then back to the kennel.

I took her out that afternoon for a few minutes. Not only is she getting better on the force fetch but she is getting better on heel. I, usually, heel her out with the piggin’ string then lay it across her back and make her heel without me touching the piggin’ string. I did some 180 degree turns and she stayed right by my side. It’s funny to see them walk along side of you looking up to see where you are going next.

I let her run for a few minutes then got her on the retrieving bench. This afternoon the wind was blowing and although the temperature was about the same as this morning it seemed colder. I didn’t work her very long.

I used a knobby plastic bumper first and I had to pull on the string to get her started but after the first time she did fine. I changed over to the wooden dowel with the square blocks on the end and she did just fine. Then we did the dowel rod with the dowel through the ends to hold it up. She did it just fine so we went to the fat bumper.

Before we start the force fetch. Tail’s up.

She has been more ready to spit this one out but today she held everything I had her take. It’s nice when they start holding really well. I, also, had her pick it up from the table top as I held on to one end. She’s taking it in her mouth but not raising her head, yet. In front of her face, as she looks at me, she will take it without me pulling on the string. Above her head, she will reach for the bumper without me pulling on the string but down on the table, I have to pull the string. But, I think, today is only day 5, so for that she is doing real well.

This morning the temperature was low twenties so I waited until about 11:00 am to continue the force fetch. I worked on heeling before we got to the retrieving bench. I let her run for a little while then called her back. She was coming in a dead run and I knelt down. She went right on by me and jumped onto the retrieving bench. Pinching her toes hasn’t made her shy of getting on the bench.

I put the string around her leg with a half hitch around her toes after walking her back and forth on the retrieving bench. I did lots of petting when she was walking the bench.

We started with the usual.

We started with the usual one. The bumper that she started with. I still had to pull on the string to get her to take it. I had her take it several times. She holds it real well and reaches above her eyes for it without me pulling the string but when I put the end of it on the table, I have to pull the string.

We did a couple of wooden dowel bumpers then went to the 3/4 inch pipe with a ball of duct tape around one end. She would not take it close to the ball and when I tapped on it she let it drop. She actually opened her mouth so it would drop. I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. When I got close she opened her mouth for it but grasped it away from the ball. I tapped on the bumper and she opened her mouth letting it drop. I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. When I got close she opened her mouth and took the bumper. I petted her for a moment then tapped on the bumper. She opened her mouth and let it drop. I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. When I got close she opened her mouth and took the bumper. I petted her for a few seconds then tapped on the bumper. She opened her mouth dropping the bumper. I pulled on the string and slowly picked the bumper up. When I got close she took the bumper. I petted her for a moment and tapped on the bumper. She held on. I took the end of the bumper and said, “give”. She didn’t release the bumper. I held on to the bumper for a few seconds then said, “give”, again. This time I pushed the bumper back into her mouth and twisted it a little causing her to give it up.

3/4 inch pipe with duct tape ball.

After I fed and clean pens I brought her back out with the piggin’ string. After heeling her for a few minutes I turned her loose to run for a little while before we got serious with the force fetch.

When I headed for the bench she jumped on to it. I hooked her to the pulley system on the bench and walked her back and forth. When she’s running back and forth her tail is up and she’s having a good time.

I put the string around her leg and a half hitch around her toes. I started with the plastic pipe bumper. I had to pull on the string the first time for her to grab the bumper. She held it fine and dropped it when I said, “give”. I had her fetch and give several times then went to the wooden bumper with the blocks on the end. She did these fine with just a steady, light pull on the string. She held it fine even when I tapped on the ends of the bumper.

I made some bumpers out of 1 1/4 inch dowel with some crosses on the end with smaller dowels. I used one of these next and she held it fine even when I tapped on it. When I said, “give” she dropped the bumper.

This morning she had a difficult time with the 3/4 inch pipe with the duct tape ball on one end so it was time to try again. I had to pull a little harder on the string to get her to grab it. She wasn’t holding it very tight so when I tapped on it she opened her mouth and dropped it. I pulled on the string and slowly picked up the bumper. When I got the bumper close she grabbed it. I stroked her head as she held the bumper then tapped on the end. She opened her mouth and dropped the bumper. I pulled on the string as I slowly bent over and picked up the bumper. When I got close to her she grabbed it. I rubbed her head, her sides and told her what a good girl she is. I tapped on the ends of the pipe and she hung on. I stroked her head and ears then tapped on the pipe again. She still hung on. I took the end and said, “give” and she hung on. I held the end for a few seconds and she slowly relaxed her hold then dropped the pipe in my hand.

She has always come to me but this week of working on some other things along with the force fetch has really changed her. She’s heeling with no leash and when I call her she’s coming in a dead run. For her first week she’s doing great on the force fetch. Actually, it’s been a little over a week but some of the days the weather was too bad to train so it’s only been six days, I think. Tomorrow is Sunday so she will get a day off.

When she holds it this close to the ball she will hold it.

The tail isn’t up but it’s getting there.

She likes these lighter bumpers.