tonight's training session

I'm pretty excited about what Sadie accomplished in tonight's 15-minute training session. She walked on a loose leash to the south end of the block (about 2/3 of a block) and back! Yippee!! She can walk pretty solidly for seven to eight steps at a time.

Then on the patio we practiced "take the leash off and put it back on". I have to admit...I was REALLY nervous about doing that one outside but I figured I had to start somewhere. My small patio is contained on three sides - the house on one side and fencing on the other two. So there was only "one way out" and I figured I could be quick enough to body-block/stop her if I had to. First, I had her sit and simply removed the leash, put it back on, then click/treat (c/t). I did that three times. Then I got a little braver. She was sitting in front of me so I took the leash off, back up and had her walk towards me, had her sit, then put the leash on, c/t! We did that twice. Then I walked into her so she had to back up and sit. We did that three times. Then two more come towards me. After those few successes and my increasing anxiety that she'd decide at any moment to bolt...we quit on a successful note. Maybe SOMEDAY she'll actually be able to go outside off leash!