Gigi Day 20

Early Morning:
1. Lesson Length 2 hours.
2. Objective of lesson to work Gigi in very crowded public place while dogs are out and walking towards or by her (or staring and barking at her).
3. Methods used sit on the dog, longe line, and heeling exercises (with auto sit).
4. Tools used e-collar, metal training collar, 6' leather lead, 15' longe line, and bench.
5. No homework given as owners not involved yet.
6. Sit on the dog had about a 4 minute lag until she went down and we waited the half hour. She got up twice but then went right back into her down. A few of times during the long line she attempted to stay put and stare at the dog, I used either running forward with the leash when she wasn't watching me OR stimming with the e-collar. She did always follow me although she tried to lag when staring at another dog. Heeling past other dogs, she did well although her full attention is still obviously on the dog and not on me. She will heel, but you can tell she is holding herself back from either looking or charging in their direction. I want a lot more calmness in her demeanor.

Mid afternoon in Portland:
1. Length of lesson 2 and a half hours.
2. Objective, getting owner used to handling Gigi in her most stressful of situations (the city streets where she lives).
3. Methods used were basically heeling and a demonstration of sit on the dog.
4. Tools used 6' leather lead, chain collar, and electronic collar.
5. No homework as yet as Gigi won't be picked up until Tuesday.
6. Gigi was reactive with owner, deflecting on his twice (once around lab that stood up and barked at her, and once when passing two springers and she got an e-collar correction). She also deflected on me when passing the same yellow lab when I used the metal collar correction. It's the being made to that Gigi does not like, and she seems more likely to totally act out when she is in a group of people. This was helpful in that this should be Gigi at her worst. Showed the owner how to use the leash properly to give the illusion of freedom, yet not give in to her wants (hold the leash the wrong way and giving her too much control). Also the use of moving forward and remaining calm in the situation. Male owner did alright. I think the main thing is for him to have confidence that he's going to keep Gigi away, so that he can do the leadership exercises correctly and calmly. Then Gigi can pick up on that. I think a few more training walks around her normal paths will help instill in Gigi the changed rules for walking where she lives. She tried to get out of heeling with me when we left her house. This is a big distraction, but it's important not to let her get away with this being as stubborn and as prone to aggression as she is now.