Just 'STOP', Bran!!

Arrrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!

Ok. So. Last week we went in armed with a perfect 'STOP' that could be performed in the house and in the park with distractions, plus a 'go round' in one movement if Bran was paying enough attention. We didn't do either exercise at class - typical! However, we did lots of recalls with distractions: Bran had to first be recalled from a group of dogs and he came straight out; then he had to be recalled whilst Jo was feeding him treats and he came straight away; next was recalling down the paddock with toy distractions dotted about - first time recall; recall down the paddock with toy distractions, bowls of food distractions and a set of weave poles - perfect recall; recall to heel and continue to walk at heel for 10 paces - spot on!

I've continued to work on the 'STOP' at home and at the work. And at Mandy's house after I moaned about him not doing it at class and he executed it perfectly.

His elbow was sore during class last week and he is back on a rather hefty dose of tramadol to manage that, but all the same he continued to execute the perfect 'STOP' at home on laminate flooring so of course he couldn't fail to perform at class - yet again! - could he??

Today we've done recall to heel and continue to heel whilst weaving through cones - brilliant; recall then finish at the same time as another dog - marvellous (even with a barking collie beside him!); paying little attention to someone eating food - interested but not bothersome and distractable; sending to bed - lovely (although he offered a 'sit' instead of a 'down'); 2 minute stay - great until he got up to come to me at the end of the exercise instead of waiting; 'leave' with food in a bowl and then in an open hand - fab; and then we had 2 'STOP' exercises - the one we've been practising with the dog recalling to you and starting to teach a 'STOP' whilst the dog is moving away from you.

Jo offered to give Bran some leeway because of his elbows but I insisted that if he can do it perfectly on a laminate floor at home, there should be no reason for excuses on a grassed paddock.

Did he 'STOP'?

Did he bugger!!!!!

He didn't even shuffle a few paces and then stop like some of the others did - he just kept coming at me slowly! 5 times he was given a chance to sort it and EVERY SINGLE TIME he just kept walking at me.

Then we had to try the stop whilst walking away and, again, he just refused to halt!

Jo told us to keep practising but I feel like banging my head against a wall now because I don't know how I can keep practising when he does it perfectly everywhere except at class.

Oooh I could swing for him right now!

Oh and an added bonus: we're taking our silver test on 8th January and Jo's enquiring about whether we can do our gold on the same day!

And extra exciting news - Moss and Sophie are moving up to the bronze class next week!!