March went by fast! I took Loot to our vet to discuss medications in order to help stop his anxiety from coninuing to generalize to new locations/new sounds. We still have a month to go until we can visit the vet behaviorist, but I am happy with my choice to start right away on meds. We need to put the breaks on things getting worse as the 1st priority. And then figure out what will put him in the best state for learning to actually take place.

People often say meds should be the "last resort," but I rarely hear anyone regret starting medication for themselves, kids. or pets. It's always a wish that they had done it sooner. And ultimately I think I will be in that camp as well. We went more than a year without the anxiety generalizing, but wow does that snowball start to go downhill fast once it's pushed.

Rushing our Re-trains

In case you've missed it, I have a (free!) Ring Confidence training group on Facebook!

This last month one of the posts was musing on re-trains. It is SO hard to go back to the beginning with something. And often what is even harder is having the determination to not rush back into "testing" too early! Or how do you know if you are stalled out and need a new plan?? Training is hard. Click to join and read!

I also posted this past month on leaving the ring early when things aren't going well. Click to join and read!

March Training Videos

Here are 8 videos from the past month's daily uploads of training. Just click on the picture to be taken to tiktok. (And if you prefer the unedited versions, head to facebook or instagram!) I hope these videos give you some helpful tips to try or inspire you to train something new!

Freya is really doing well on her left pivots in place! My new goal is working towards a full 360 without her stopping early on the backup. I can sometimes get a 270!

Fake spring arrived!! And actually didn't fully leave! Lots on my to do list this summer for agilty, one of which is improving their focus forward "mark" cue on the startline. I am working on being behind them and have them hold that look forward at the jump in front. Loot is doing great! Ginny says it's hard.

Ginny and I are both learning some of the AKC Rally masters signs. We're focusing on the spins as that is new to both of us!

Food game! This "flick" game is my go to with Loot if I need to up the fun factor, especially in a small space! This was my Vito's favorite game as well and I frequently used it at trials while waiting his turn. It's about the suspense and anticipation building, not how far the treat goes!

And Freya Cat is also working on her utility exercises! Directed "jumping" foundation with cones!

Ginny is coming along with her go out re-train!!! I am so happy with how teaching her to touch the right side of the stanchion is helping her run straight and not arc on the send!

And another go out video, this one with Grace. Grace is learning a new "mark" signal of touching her chest as her cue to look at the stanchion. Adding a new signal allows me to have 2 different signals for looking ahead- one that will tell her to look ahead for a retrieve item, and the other to tell her to look ahead for the go out.

Freya is apparently the star of my March videos! Here she is showing her progress on the drop on recall! I am so excited that she is doing the down in motion and I'm just not sure if she needs my "signal" to basically be at the spot she will be downing.

Current April Classes

Class starts today, April 1st! Come learn obedience! Working spots are full but don't miss auditing! Lectures in your library for a year!

Obedience is not all heeling and fronts! That "novice stuff" really is fun, but we can start all the things from the beginning! Learn scent articles, backing up, super pretty position changes, and more!

TEAM 1

Brand new class! An I've managed to jam it jam it full of steps! 9 lectures just on marking skills, 5 lectures just on the "sit" part of the go out, and a ton more! These skills can be started long before you perfect novice obedience!

Gloves & Go Outs

Follow me on the social media platform of your choice to try and catch all my daily training videos. I hope they inspire you to try something fun with your dog! And join my free facebook group on building ring confidence for dog sports!