First class with no Fanny

We had our first class on Saturday without dogs. It was nice to get back to basics. We went over laying tracks including using double line-ups, scuffing tracks, with food between our feet every two steps and line handling.

For homework, we need to:

Practice your skills actually putting the track in.for the starter teams, it’s scuff 2, food between your feet, scuff 2, food between your feet—all while checking to make sure you are on your line up.

I have been practicing putting in tracks in my backyard. I have a lot of tall trees spaced well apart so they are good for practicing line ups. I tried using pine straw as “food” but Cheeky, 4 month old puppy jumped up and grabbed it from me. She decided to let me have a twig to break into small pieces and use as “food”. This is one line-up using Cheeky's playhouse and one of the trees in my yards.

Put something (article like) on the ground and practice walking past it and picking it up, putting it in your pocket.

I’m practicing when picking up all of Cheeky’s toys off the floor.

Lastly, practice your line handling without the dog. Light tension is good, loops between you and the dog aren’t desired, and the dog having to pull you off your feet isn’t ideal either!

I have been practicing with the leash tied to a crate.

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Crystal & Fanny's Path to TD & Beyond

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