Day 4 Gigi-Lessons 11-12

Early Morning:
1. Lesson time 1 hour.
2. Goal and objective of the lesson is to one teach Gigi the meaning of heel and sit. Also to have her feel comfortable on a walk with her owner/handler/trainer.
3. Teaching heel with auto sit is used. Method Koehler influenced and Bedrock influenced training methods (but not training plan, as this would be far later, but due to condenced period of time.....).
4. Equipment used 6' leather leash, metal training collar, electronic collar, and one trained dog, Leon. This is also to get her used to a dog being close and playing even as she needs to stay focused. Leon will also help Gigi feel safe, as they have developed a relationship and Gigi is picking up the mannerisms of my dogs as we do different things.
5. Client not involved yet, so no homework given.
6. Gigi is getting quite used to the dirt backroad walks. Autosits could be better, she still gets a bit distracted. Heeling becomes forging when Leon is running ahead or with a stick, as she wants to be with him. However, it's necessary for her to pay as much attention to me as possible, and as little to distractions.

6PM Afternoon when public is allowed on the beach:
1. Lesson is one hour.
2. Goal of the lesson is to get Gigi less worried about working/walking in public settings.
3. Method used is heel with autosit, Bedrock and Koehler method of training is used.
4. Equipment is 6' leather leash, metal training collar, and electronic collar.
5. Client not involved yet, so no homework given.
6. Gigi was a bit anxious closer up to dogs, and especially when dogs were far away and then coming closer to us. I kept us fairly far away from the dogs so she could get used to seeing them all over the place. Plus the people with the flexi leashed dogs make me more nervous than the unleashed dogs in the morning, as owners seem to have more control.

Notes: I have noticed that dogs seem to reacte to Gigi's nervous energy, and that's just another good reason to get her comfortable with this. She tends to get a bit picked on, and that causes her to get defensive, but it's a communication thing on her part. It's not her fault, but she gives out both a nervous and defensive vibe due to her experiences, where as far as I can tell when she knows a dog, she wants to play. AT first she can be very forward and poinking them in their neck, which is a threat or promise to fight with some dogs. This causes the dogs that she may want to meet to get defensive in return. So the point is, we want her energy more calm and confident when out on close, crowded walking conditions.