Didn’t learn anything new this session, just honing in on what we’ve already learnt and increasing distractions.

Heel work

As usual we started the class with some heel work, this time starting off at a slow funeral march pace. Always slightly excruciating with Artemis as she loves to walk fast.

We practised about turn, which was fine.

Then we practised left about turn which was also ok.

Heel with positions

As we continued walking to heel, the trainer started calling out positions.

Down: The first position was down, where Artemis was at an angle – not the end of the world.

Sit: The next position was sit, but Artemis wasn’t sitting, she was having none of it!

Stand: The final position was stand, which was ok – this is usually the easiest position as the dog is already standing/ walking.

Down stay

Next we practised a down stay. Artemis kept sitting up for a treat when the trainer approached though. Introducing distractions really tests her!

Sit stay

Then we practised a sit stay. When I walked away and moved slightly, Artemis swivelled to face me, but other than that she did ok, as she was still sitting.

More distractions were introduced via another dog and owner walking towards and then circling Artemis. I also walked near another dog, this broke Artemis’s sit stay though. She was just not in the best mood to ignore the distractions today!

Novice recall

Artemis’s easiest command I believe, she did good here.

Angled recall

We didn’t actually manage to do this one.

Other dogs became distracted, and then Artemis came running to me even though I hadn’t actually called her to come.

Conclusion

It’s interesting how the energy of the other dogs are infectious and impacts your dog. Today was a heavy day of distractions with the potential of tasty treats, other dogs and owners walking close by, and me just walking near another dog.

I’ve read before that it’s advised to increase one thing at a time; be it distractions, duration, or difficulty. Perhaps this session the double whammy of distractions and duration was too much for Artemis.