Luna Level 4

This is good!

Yeah, the heat is not ideal. I wouldn't push that, for her.

Take a look at these directions again: Ask for a very easy behavior. For example, “turn and look at me.”

Do a big reward of food play. Release your dog to explore the environment again. Repeat.

So I want to ask for less, follow it with more fun (movement! cookie toss! yay! fun!), and then release her to stare at the birds or sniff for a minute. Repeat a few times.

This shifts the perspective from "pet manners practice, don't need to be giving 100%" to "ooo, high-engagement training work games." Does that make sense?

Yes! Makes sense, hoping we can catch a break from this heat and get in more practice soon. Chicago summers, so gross.

It's also 100 degrees in Portland if that makes you feel any better, lol.

And you're heeling! Beautiful work, great reward placement, and perfect position from Luna. (And no wall-leaning.)

Ok cool, I'll hold the verbal and increase my step. Thank you!

She’s getting speedier!

Yeah, her movement is very fluid and confident! That's a big deal!

If you post a "heel with baby steps" reply, go ahead and do another main comment, instead of a "reply." The "load more replies" features is so subtle, I'm afraid I'm going to miss it one day and not see the new thing. 🤠

• Edit: And everything is in a weird order. I see that you DID already post a reply now. 😂

• Again thanks for coming to Rally Class: Trial By Fire

Looks good to me!

I think at some point I'm going to want to add back in a hand signal for her sits, to remind her of the difference between sitting in heel the old way vs sitting in heel the new way. This is going to be a direct progression from when we lured her into the sit in her right finish - a hand signal that goes high and slightly left. Just adding this now because I'm thinking about it.

Outfit twins 😂 do you want me to start adding this now or do a few more days of what we’re currently doing?

Haha, I didn't even notice!

You're just going to need this in order to wean her off of the barrier successfully for any sitting in heel. You can start now or wait until you have more forward motion. At this point in time, I'm not sure it matters, as long as you know that it's on your list.