Out and About With Gunny
Today I spent a lot of time with Gunny. We went to Pet Smart to get him a new ball (see him looking at toys). He got a biscuit for sitting from the clerk. He got a biscuit at Western Farms (standing with front feet on the counter. He did a sis-stay in the food court in front of Starbucks.
Did I mention that Gunny will be showing in Novice B Rally at the GSD Nationals? So we are doing the training behind the training...exposing him to a lot of people a...nd situations...and dogs on leash...so that he will be able to focus when we show. Learning the exercises is only half the challenge. He also gave me some nice heeling in the food court!

Part of this training was prompted by an interesting occurrence last week. We were at Spreckles doing Rally, when a worker came walking across the field towards us. There was no one else around...and Gunny bristled and growled. And I am trying to figure out what made him defensive...was it the situation or the person??? This is not his usual reaction...and I am not sure what he was reading in it.
Today as we were leaving Pet Smart, a man came in in a wheel chair. He apologized for holding us up. I told him no problem as Gunny was practicing his manners (sitting next to me). He started talking to Gunny...who got up and went right to him, sniffing him gently and giving him a little kiss. He is so good at reading situations. I am still trying to learn how he sees things.