Friday, June 01, 2007

The Bucking Bronco Takes a Break

We left the Bucking Bronco at home this week and instead Jake the Amazing Agility Dog was at my side. Of course, I came armed with a new treat this week -- itty bitty chicken pieces from our dinner the night before. Our first obstacle set for the night was the biggest Jake had ever attempted -- A-frame, tunnel, 2 jumps and then the tire. We planted one of our teachers at the exit of the tunnel with the chicken. Jake scrambled up that A-frame, hit his 2-on-2off pose beautifully at the bottom, and then headed into the tunnel at the slowest trot I have ever seen him use. Mid-tunnel, it must have kicked in that he was in the tunnel and he came zooming out, only to put on extreme brakes when he smelled that chicken. Jake repeated his calm performance twice more, all for the sake of that chicken. The jump and high dogwalk combo was done with a bit of trepidation on Jake's part but by the last repeat the confidence was starting to appear. The teeter totter was a great success with Jake leaping onto the platform himself and not even noticing the slight bang on the other end. The chicken was really working. Jake started to go a little crazy when we began the jump/chute set. He was so proud of himself that he was running to the jump backwards while I'm struggling to hang onto his collar. I was really proud of Jake tonight for not zooming even once. Chicken may be on the menu every Tuesday night if it produces such good behavior.

Our classmates:
Gracie the Golden Retriever taking the jump

Buttons the Boxer showing no fear on the teeter totter

Cosmo the English Cocker Spaniel zipping through the tunnel

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