We ran Margaret through her greeting routine once she had greeted you with wild abandon, and she did great with demo'ing some of the things she had learned during her stay.
We began with recall -- in the meadow and on trails to the river. Molli practiced calling her in a cheerful, strong and inviting tone, using the same cal words every time ("Margaret, COME!" or very loud, high pitched "PUPUPUPUPUPUP" if isn't responding fast enough.)
Once we got to the river Margaret showed off her spectacular stick fetching, surfing the current, and swimming her heart out in the river. You let us know she had only really been swimming once before - so that made her prowess in the water during her stay even more spectacular.
On the way back along the trails, Margaret did some more really good recalls, from out of sight in the forest, and playing chase with the Moose.
Take me to the golf course! |
Wanna drive, Margaret?! |
Cool as a cucumber |
Back at the house, we practiced role playing polite greetings, acting out people who wants to greet and pet Margaret on walks.
At this stage, Margaret is too young and impulsive to be left to her own devices in such exciting situations. She needs skilled help every time she meets someone when she is out and about, so she is reminded what to do and not do.
Our focus here was on transferring the skills to you that you will need to help Margaret remember her manners and control herself in such situations.
Nice loose leash |
Excellent attention |
Keeping control of the leash - stopping dead and holding firm so Margaret can't jump. |
Turning and walking her away before she jumps |
"Margaret, Say Hi!" |
Margaret! This Way! |
Let's Go! |
Next we went to visit the chickens. Margaret showed us her chicken manners - and the chickens showed us they aren't afraid of that big fluffy dog.
Then Margaret demo'd a 3 Egg Leave It trick.
She also practiced Sit Stay and Down Stay in the open meadow, with Molli as her trainer.
When training Stay, it is more effective to return to Margaret rather than call her to you to end the exercise. |
Sometimes a stick is a better reward than a treat |
Off leash heeling |
Good job, Margaret and Molli! |
Next we took them out to play in the big meadow.
We played the Circle Game, calling "Margaret Come!" back and forth between us, with yummy treats every time she got to the person who called her.
Margaret showed off how well she can come when called, even with Ringer and other distractions around.
Ringer and Margaret had some ferociously good fun, chasing and mouth wrestling
And every so often we threw in some more recall practice.
Margaret, Come! |
This concludes Margaret's blog. Tomorrow morning we will have another handover session, and Margaret will go home with you. I have loved having her stay with me, and I will miss her! Thank you for entrusting her to my care. And many thanks to Debbie for all the wonderful photos that illustrate this blog. As you requested, here are photos of Debbie, since she was always behind the camera, and the Moose!