Hi All,
Due to matters beyond Baron's control, he missed a couple of Rally classes, thus retaining his "worst in class" rating. This is the rare moment when Baron can't be blamed for his difficulty. Unfortunately, it is the result of handler error. The good news, is that the instructor has given up on us (mostly me) and lets us try our best to follow the course. Baron loves it. He doesn't know that his handler (OK - that would be me) has difficulty determining right from left. He thinks he is doing a great job; a thought process I reinforce.
I have to admit it was a little nauseating when the woman with the papillion demonstrated her dog's "free dance." I have never heard of free dance, but judging by the dog's ability to twirl on command and do several figure eights between her handler's legs (also on command), it seems to be something that is not in Baron's (or his handler's) future.
Our last class is Tuesday, an evening I am eagerly anticipating.
All for now,
Botswain
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Rally Around Me
Hi All,
Dear readers, as you may recall, our brave but coordination-challenged heroine (that would be me) is taking a Rally class with her handsome, enthusiastic, graceful pooch (that would be Baron).
This class is quite a challenge - for me, not Baron. Baron loves it. I am having difficulty navigating the course. Baron knocked over 2 cones, went in the wrong direction and stepped on a broad jump; none of which was his fault. The instructor is trying very hard to be patient (with me, not Baron). I have instructed Baron to observe attentively when the other dogs take their turns, so he will know what to do. Unfortunately, there are written instructions at each obstacle, and Baron, smart as he is, is still unable to read. He therefore depends on me to both read and implement the instructions. Herein lies the problem.
Try as I might, I turn left instead of right, heel Baron into a cone instead of around it, do a 360 turn instead of a 240, etc. etc. etc. It is very amusing for the class to observe; think of it as comic relief. When Baron and I execute a somewhat reasonable approximation of the course, the class actually applauds. The instructor, who is an equestrian, has expressed her gratitude that I am working with a poodle, not a Clydesdale.
All for now, Baron wants me to practice for our next class.
Botswain
Dear readers, as you may recall, our brave but coordination-challenged heroine (that would be me) is taking a Rally class with her handsome, enthusiastic, graceful pooch (that would be Baron).
This class is quite a challenge - for me, not Baron. Baron loves it. I am having difficulty navigating the course. Baron knocked over 2 cones, went in the wrong direction and stepped on a broad jump; none of which was his fault. The instructor is trying very hard to be patient (with me, not Baron). I have instructed Baron to observe attentively when the other dogs take their turns, so he will know what to do. Unfortunately, there are written instructions at each obstacle, and Baron, smart as he is, is still unable to read. He therefore depends on me to both read and implement the instructions. Herein lies the problem.
Try as I might, I turn left instead of right, heel Baron into a cone instead of around it, do a 360 turn instead of a 240, etc. etc. etc. It is very amusing for the class to observe; think of it as comic relief. When Baron and I execute a somewhat reasonable approximation of the course, the class actually applauds. The instructor, who is an equestrian, has expressed her gratitude that I am working with a poodle, not a Clydesdale.
All for now, Baron wants me to practice for our next class.
Botswain
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