Training in new location

In keeping with one of our goals to train in new and different locations, we went to a club member's private training building this afternoon. Our training partner, Melody the Border Terrier, was also there. I think it's important now to get out in as many different environments as we can to train with different distractions. It was pretty quiet, so the distractions were primarily the sights and smells of being in a new location.

We started out with a run-through for each dog, as we would in a trial. That went pretty well, although the new setting threw them off a little. Jackson needed a second command for the directed jumping and a little help with one of the articles, but overall, I was pleased with his performance.

Then we just did some fun things. I've been working on having Jackson run between my legs. When we first tried it last week, he was hesitant to put his head between my legs to get the treat - now he actually runs through my legs - fortunately I have long legs : ) One of the people that trains at our club does canine free-style with her Goldens, and she is giving me some tips on how to shape some behavior for that. I'm thinking, we need to have more fun with training. We get real serious sometimes with the utility training and I forget why I do this - to have FUN with my dog! I think it will help our utility training too, if we mix it up with more fun things.