Last Tuesday of training with our CCI pups

Tuesday 11.06.2012
I hope you rocked your vote today!!

     Today was mostly about practice, practice, practice....  We used several of the commands we have learned over the past 7 days.  Almost 50 commands, if anyone is counting!  Our dogs are pretty smart and obviously, extremely well trained.  This morning we reviewed the retrieve commands.  When we said "get," they had to retrieve an item from on top of a table or underneath a bench.  My canine partner did well.  Then we were to walk to a challenging item of our choosing and tell our dogs to get it for us.  I decided to have my dog pick up this heavy odd shaped metal and plastic item.  Metal is a very unnatural substance for any canine to have in its mouth.  My pup did look up at me, seemingly discouraged, and began exhibiting behavior that he thought he couldn't succeed with this strange object.  I began motivating him with a happy voice and encouraging words; awesomely, my dog's confidence began to build, he successfully got a good hold on this wacky object and gave it to me.  We exemplified that particular retrieve behavior so well, my pup was rewarded with an adorable pink, quacking dragon.  My canine partner and I were beaming and both felt good after that.  :o)
     This afternoon we practiced our recall command.  Our trainers made it a challenge by having us release 3 of our dogs at a time in the play yard.  We had to gain our dogs attention and give them the correct command to have them come over to us.  My pup and I did well; the kibble reward also helped reinforce the praise we gave them for correctly responding to us.
     For lunch, we took a field trip to Applebee's.  As a group, we had 23 people with 9 dogs laying under the tables.  All of the CCI pups should have just been invisible, not one made a noise or made any attempt to interact with anyone.  I believe some of the restaurant patrons were surprised to see such a parade of retrievers leave!  
     We also practiced parts of our public access test.  CCI is very stringent about who is allowed to take their dogs out into a public setting.  The trainers stepped over our dogs while our pups were in a down.  They also threw food toward our canines, as the dogs are not supposed to eat or sniff it.  We also practiced going into and out of elevators, as you don't want to be in the elevator, and have the door shut while your dog is standing on the other side (not a good situation).  As we took a stroll down the hall, a loud noise was made behind our dogs, the pups aren't supposed to have a huge startle reaction.  If this Nor'Easter behaves itself tomorrow, our ADI public access test will be Thursday.
      My canine partner and I worked hard today but did well.  I cannot believe I am graduating in just three days!  The public is welcome to our graduation.  It will be held at the Islandia Marriott at 12:30. This hotel is located on Long Island in Islandia, NY.