1-12-2022 Week1, Day 3

 I currently don't have the videos and photos from yesterday (had to order a new phone), but wanted to provide an overview of Hannah's training.

1. Picked up Hannah around 10 am and spend 15+ minutes going over/video taping the "Wait" command when opening a kennel door, the AS, the "Let's Go" with 6' leash, another "Wait" at the top of the stairs, "Slow" (for going up/down stairs)/opening the outside door, then Stepping Back to Hannah, another "Let's Go" outside with a RATT, then another AS, then another "Wait" so I could then open the back fence gate. Then another "Let's Go" and several RATT until I could position her to AS, another "Wait" so I could close the back fence gate, then "Let's Go" and headed to my truck. There I did another "Wait" so I could position the ramp to load Hannah in the kennel in my truck. "Hannah - step- Hup" and so she did.  Typing this out is repetitive, but it is the consistent, repetitive commands, issued over and over again - with the same mechanics - that trains a dog to understand what is expected and to obey.  Hannah did great!
2. This was the 2nd time I deliberately added distractions, my Boaz and Redd Pack, and Ace, Jessi's Scottie to the level of distractions. Hannah got over 30 Informal Recalls (on the ck cord) of "Hannah - Here" + 4 sharp whistle blasts as I reeled her into SSIF. Usually I'd do a "Touch", then "Sit", then perhaps a "Good SIT" and thumping her chest, then finally, "Ok" the release command.  Since Hannah will be doing ecollar work once she's through Week 6 of the FOUNDATION Course, I need to train her to understand the difference between the Informal Recall and what will be the formal Recall. AND, I need to make sure she understands a Recall, any kind, means prompt return to the handler and an immediate Sit. This is to keep Aleacia safe as it trains Hannah to return to her handler and do a Sit - putting her into Social Drive.
3. Then, once Hannah figured out that EVERY charge to interact with the Pack resulted in an immediate Recall (sometimes a staunch collar correction also), eventually, she was able to move WITH the Pack and not seek to initiate the play she'd learned as a puppy.  It's tough on a puppy that has learned being with the Pack = play and now the rules have changed. Indeed, they have as Hannah is no longer a puppy, but a pre-teenager. Yes, the rules have changed.
4. I did a smidge of ILL with Hannah alongside the soccer field fence and the row of trees. Didn't take her long to figure out that remaining close to me, in the Safety Zone, WAS the very best choice.
5. The really fun part was backtying her to a pole as first Jessi/Ace got to do field work, that is Force to the Pile (bumpers in different locations), then I heeled Boaz, but he whined so he lost his chance to do the field work and had to remain on Place and just watch.  Redd did GREAT and I was thrilled with her field work and obedience. LOL...Hannah was losing her marbles watching the other dogs go get bumpers. Heeled Boaz again to see if he could demonstrate self-control (no noise), but he couldn't so he didn't get to work. I had Jessi get Hannah ready and threw bumpers for her. MAN, that dog has a staunch retrieve as she went and got the bumpers and returned to Jessi. Couldn't tell if Jessi or Hannah had more fun doing the intro field work?
6. Loaded Hannah up again in the kennel, called my dogs by name to come load up and off we went to our place. I unloaded my dogs and sent them inside, then got Hannah out to relieve herself and come help me set up the training area with the door closed so she could run and explore and play, just her and I. We had a ball, literally, two balls, a red one and a blue jolly ball, as I'd throw it and she'd go get it AND RETURN TO ME WITH THE BALL IN HER MOUTH. This is the evidence that she has come from good working (retrieving) dog lines.  I WAS THRILLED!!!
7. Class started, a new FOUNDATION Course, Hannah was kenneled, did Quiet Time, was the Demo Dog for the ILL lesson and DID EXCEEDINGLY well.
8. Jessi took her home and Aleacia said she was tired. Yup, I imagine she was as yesterday was a FULL day of learning.

Will upload videos and photos when they are available as Jessi is doing all of that.  

ALL IN ALL, a great day for a young field bred Lab named Hannah!