Pilot had class last night, she did well on her first dog walk. Nice speed but is not hitting her 2o-2o contacts quite well enough to pass muster. We need to practice them at speed with back chaining.
After that we worked on jumps near a ground squirrel hole and Pilot kept loosing her focus. We were working on a new field and she wanted to go hunting. The goats in the next pasture over were hanging out by the fence making noise but Pilot didn't want much to do with them. Even her favorite ball did not help get her attention.
She hadn't had much exercise or ball play for a couple of days and I haven't been doing as much practice. We are trying to keep things low key while KK gets over her surgery and I have a ton of office work to do. Pilot was really hungry - so that wasn't a factor - I had a mix of great treats too. I do wonder if having Remi to play with all day makes her loose her head? It hasn't been a factor to date. More than likely, it's me being tired, preoccupied and a little stressed that would have more of an impact on her.
I picked her up and set her back down. I tickled her and played our pinchy paws game but she was on a roll. Finally, I went and put her in the car in a crate and took the other two for a walk. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. She walked beside me at heel when I went back to get her.
Everyone has good days and everyone has bad days. Let it be a lesson to keep up with her exercise and training, especially in new places with rodents.
This week we will practice more. Next week we will arrive a bit early and walk around the field with her. I will also try the look at that game and some mat work.
