This was the last mixed ability class so it was kind of a round up to finish the course.

Heel work

We practised heel work while crossing paths, walking person to person. Artemis was quite good at this.

There was a very popular muddy spot, where lots of treats were dropped in the earlier class, but not all the treats were taken. So of course all the dogs kept sniffing around this treat pit.

About turn

Usually Artemis is ok with about turn when walking person to person; this time the trainer said “about turn” when we were walking dog to dog, so she did quite well here.

Slow heel work

Walking at a funeral pace with a treat pit and meeting other dogs – Artemis was sure tested today!

Down stay

We practiced a down stay. Some of the dogs kept their leads on, just in case, and Artemis did very well.

Angled recall

Then we did an angled recall for the first time. This is where the dog runs forward and then turns 90 degrees to sit directly in front of you, so you start off standing sideways to the dog.

The trainer told me not to put my leg out. I didn’t really know what the trainer meant by that. Apparently if the dog is to your left, this would mean you put your left leg out so that the dog runs straight up to your leg, and then you bring your left leg in so that the dog can turn 90 degrees to sit directly in front of you.

As I didn’t really know what the trainer meant by not putting my leg out, at the time I just called Artemis to come. And of course she ran forwards towards me and turned 90 degrees right in front of me.

This was when the trainer said to speak to her at the end of the class – and I was like oooohhhh.

Novice recall

Next we practised novice recall, where the dog runs directly to you. Artemis was really good at this.

Another owner called their dog to come and I felt the lead tighten – Artemis was going to run to another owner! Maybe she loves recall?

Check over

The trainer advised how we should check all paws, how to check the body from head to tail, and the ears as if to put drops in. And also how to check teeth, looking at both sides of the mouth and how to open the mouth as if to take something out.

This I needed to learn. Previously I would open Artemis’ mouth, but turns out I was covering her eyes, so now I know to only open the mouth touching the bottom jaw to not cover the eyes.

Play

And then the last five minutes we let all the dogs off lead and all the other three dogs were just playing together. You know what Artemis was doing? She was eating grass, ignoring the other dogs!

Then a couple of the other dogs got a bit boisterous and then she went over, barked at them, and then came back to eat more grass! It was like, Oh, the boys listened to her – and that’s when I realised Artemis was the only girl in the class and she’s the oldest dog in the class.

The trainer laughed, translating that bark meaning that Artemis had enough of their silly business. That made me chuckle.

Conclusion

Artemis is progressing to the advanced class!! I couldn’t believe it! She’s skipping intermediate class and going straight to advanced class, but I think because Artemis would be the only dog in intermediate class, so it’ll be part intermediate and part advanced class.

Artemis is the real star here, always wanting to please. The trainer said I should have more faith in her, so let’s see if she can keep it up.