Morgan's Training

I continue to disappoint myself when it comes to Morgan. Invariably I end up irritated at her and then I yell and then I catch myself and quit. This is not how I start a new relationship with my dog.  How is she going to want to be with me or think all good things come from me if I get so mad I want to shake her.  I keep trying to tell myself that I need to treat her like Gally and Pen.  No expectations but dammit every time I start training her I can't help but think YOU KNOW THIS!!!! Obviously she doesn't because she isn't doing it. I really think she is confused about what she is supposed to do. We've been working on heel position, fronts and finishes.  She now realizes when she forges that she needs to be back in heel position -- that is a HUGE step. It used to be if she forged, she would just walk around me or sit in front of me.  However, she is still forging, forging, forging.  If I think back to basics, I need to reward her (maybe bring out the old clicker) for being in the right spot.  Something about Morgan is weird. She doesn't pay attention to words. No matter what word I use, she tries to offer me different behaviors. For example, I have been teaching her FRONT for years, yet sometimes she still wants to go to heel when I say FRONT.  It may be because I call the left finish FLIP.  I could call it something else. I'll think about it. Maybe heel!  I don't use HEEL.

On the weave poles, she is doing great with the 2x2s and I have shortened our practice so she is successful and I don't get mad. We had an EXCELLENT session on Tuesday.  I didn't get to the building today but we are going first thing in the morning.