practicing the Long Sit
In this heat, it’s a challenge to practice with the dogs as much as I usually do on a daily basis. Training two young dogs simultaneously for therapy dog work requires constant training throughout the day. I work in 5-10 minute time slots, several times a day. During each time period I’ll focus on one or two particular commands. Right now, doing any of this outside in the heat wave we’re having is impossible – and certainly not good for the dogs. After the early morning training walk, everything else is done inside.
Lily usually goes to the library on Mondays, but since Violet is enrolled in the Canine Good Citizen Class right now, I decided to take her over to practice her Week One homework. As I’ve mentioned on several occasions, I love the stacks for practicing the Heel command. We go up and down the rows, do About Turns, and Halts. Walking close to the stacks trains the dog to Heel right next to your side. Along with the Heel command, we were assigned the Long Sit and Long Down – each for one minute. I placed Violet at one end of the aisle and stood at the other end, timing the one minute.
The library is perfect for practicing the Polite Greeting – this week’s final assignment. Several people were interested in meeting Violet, so I explained that she is in training for her Canine Good Citizen Test and asked them to approach me, shake my hand, then bend down and pet Violet on the head, down her back all the way to her tail while she remained in the Sit position. Violet received plenty of practice today from people wanting to pet her.
Violet makes a new friend
Once our formal practice had concluded, Violet and I went over to the Children’s Area to relax and hang out awhile on the colorful rug in the corner. Within a few minutes, Violet was joined by a young friend who sat down on the rug to play with her. A great reward for Violet! At 9 months, this pup is well on her way to being a terrific therapy dog.
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