First lesson

We started a training course with Roxie today, which went pretty much as expected, given that she's a Saluki :-)

The course is run by an APDT trainer, so is all rewards based, and very good. The problem is, of course, that while all the other dogs are straining at the leash and raring to go, our princess is happy to lie down and relax. We were able to get her to go down without too much trouble, but could only get her up by putting a treat just out of her reach so she had to get up to get it. The instructor (Kris) got her to stand up once by putting a treat over her nose, but was not able to repeat this.

As Roxie has still got her leg in a splint, and is also just recovering from speying, we didn't attempt the recall exercise (we don't want her running around off-lead yet). She was not fazed by the experience, but did decide she didn't want to walk for the loose-lead walk; I was a bit reluctant to just pull in front of a large audience, but Ju got her moving.

Roxie did look a picture as she had her stripy sock on, and was wearing a tee-shirt (Gucci, of course (well, fake Gucci)) to stop her having a go at her stitches. I'm sure some of the other owners thought she was a pampered pet!

She also is very difficult to get into a sit, as I'm sure other sighthound owners know, since when she lies down the front end goes down first, and she was excused this exercise, too; this also makes things like offering a paw and then waving a bit of problem. (The trainer has a collie x saluki herself, so understands the limitations!) She was pretty good at doing a bow, though. The only problem there is stopping her going all the way to the floor. Kris did say she might choose Roxie to demonstrate 'stay' next week

She also showed again that she's not afraid to stand her ground, barking or snapping at a couple of other dogs that got too close (including an enormous dog that may have been a Husky); Kris did comment that Roxie was giving out the right signals before she did this, but they may have been too subtle for some of the other dogs.

As she's not completely motivated by food (she'll take it if it's not too much trouble, though!), Kris tried her with a rabbit skin, but that wasn't very exciting, either.

Treats are a bit of a problem. So far we've tried hot-dogs, cheese, Coachies (heart-shaped treats in 3 flavours, including liver), Rewards (I think; the strips that you break a bit off. She seemed to like these, but was sick shortly after we tried them). She hasn't shown a real interest in any particular toy yet (but she does have playful moments, and we haven't given up hope yet).

For next week, we're planning to take a long lead, so we have some control when doing recall and other off-lead exercises, in case she does take off after another dog (or vice versa), as her stitches won't be completely healed by then. And we've got some homework to do before then, too (which I must read!)