Obedience classes

We started classes in obedience, now in our 3rd week. I thought it would be horrible but reality is kinda funny. First class Leo went through the roof at beginning barking at ceiling lights and shadows, second class beginning was almost as exciting, third class was nothing special so I think we can get rid from Gentle leader for next class. As in real life Che is giving me about 80% of attention and Leo gives me 110%. I am very hopeful Che and Doug will start their own obedience class on Friday so it might improve. Che is obviously is Doug's dog and D is not placing many challenges on him so we need it I feel.

 As this present obedience class goes, it is strange feeling. I feel we are so much better than most people in either class, but Leo should be in novice and Che in beginners LOL

 We are still green and Che gives me plenty of puppy sits and crooked fronts, Leo is much better but still lags behind and stuff, althought I am doing Leo and Che  OFF leash.

 I was thinking earlier how horribly it is going to see all that leash jerking and  it is painful. All those endless Sit sit sit sit... jerk pull...

 watch me watch me watch me... jerk pull... really upsetting... I thought I would need titles to make a difference in that place... I still think my word won't count for anything but I am glad to see  that at least I am muddling stil waters and making people pay attention and possibly putting few other thoughts in people brains.... because my boys perform and I would say I have best focus in either classes... some speople said " they shelties" some people asked about GL... people are seeing results from different training....

Herding

 Had great day today! Feel really good. I think it was big hurdle to overcome.
 herding represents a great amount of self reinforcement to the dog even when it is bad herding, much more than agility IMHO because it is instinctual behavior. I've noticed that initially I am not even in the picture, it is much fun just to chase sheep. Then comes the part when lightbulb goes off "oh mommy you are here too".... then " oh boy, it was so much fun but now we are suppose to have rules?"
Now we are about 6 lessons into herding, for the first time I've trusted myself to trust my dogs to know what they are doing and I think it was biggest obstacle I was facing. Sure enough, they knew it all along. Today they did what I asked. Actually much similar with the way we do agility- my body motion told my dogs what I wanted. I do not see how it will screw up our agility. 

New Training

Our new training is going great! Facility  set up every time when we come in so lots of things to practice. Bad part - need to do my own pans. So Che- he started wandering off when I asked for sit and he did not want to... another great DWDH/ dont wanna dont hafta moment/ well since he ended up missing his run, he did not like that result and was much more cooperative at next one. Few more times  like this and he will get the message. I think he does like his agility but just as many things in his life he likes it to be on his terms. Which is a pity since he is good dog and listens well, when he wants to so running with him in agility is a pleasure/ at times/. Still need to work on RC with him and weave entrance. Our independent weaves are joke . I do have 2x2 DVD so need to retrain. Also he took off course twice to the tunnel and he is not a tunnel freak so it was my late cues and his overextention in jumping that led to it. So need to work on tight jumps and earlier cues. What else?
 On Leo- he can have great speed and motivation and loves and listens well. I have very little send on him but teaching tight turns will help. He is less in tune with me and   more veclro which kinda does not make sense. He does not get commands as well as Che does and he looks more at me than obstacles. So next week hopefully grids will come to help with increasing value for obstacles. Probably one more session with treats in my pockets and then we need to start working on the system rewards like actual trials.

How to teach dumbell exercise

Che retrieves anything and brings it back, puts in my hand. So no problems there.

 It is well known that dog will drop anything in their mouth when they sit. So how to I overcome that? I need to build duration of holding dumbell which I suppose should be separate exercise, but for holding anything at sit position how do I teach it?

 One thought I have is to increase value of the object- i.e. should  I start with holding a bully stick?