Little Dog, Big Field

December in So Cali

Jed is learning, and I'm pleased to report that my leash plan worked beautifully.  In an earlier post, I wrote how Jed was going through the "keep away" phase that many pups do, and how I had changed my method of overcoming that since raising Kensmuir Star. With Star, I verbally corrected him when he did not come when called, and more or less hunted him down. He eventually overcame the tendency, but my method was too harsh for him, and I wanted to try something lighter with Jed.

With Jed, I keep a leash handy, and when ever he was slow to respond to "here" request, I would simply go to him, slip the noose type leash over his head, and off we would go. No problems, no hesitancy, no fear.

Today, for the first time, when I told the dogs to "load up," as we were heading to the big field for practice, Jed trotted straight to the truck and got in. Still too small to jump from the ground, he jumps to the trailer tongue, then into the truck bed, and he's so athletic, it appears to be more like stepping. Where it is still an awkward maneuver for Star, Jeddie makes it look easy.

After working the big dogs today, I wondered whether the lessons would hold. I tried it again, and all 3 of my dogs, Jed included, got right into the truck. Lesson learned. That job is done, and it surely makes things a lot easier for me. Good boy, Jeddie!