Yes! Yes! Yes!
Yes, both Bridie and I learned some simple basics yesterday at introductory obedience class, and, yes, all learners love to hear an enthusiastic "Yes!"
We met Gretchen, the obedience teacher, and we both came away friends with Gretchen.
She's down to earth and has been around the block a time or two with dogs and with life, I'd say.
A few takeaways.
Say "YES" whenever your canine student responds correctly.
Gretchen explained that it's like we've asked them a question with a command, and when they do respond: YES (you've done that right).
Second takeaway: Bridie needs to spend more time away from Liam. It's not Liam's fault, and he's totally oblivious to Bridie's fixation with him from Day One.
Bridie seldom listens when Liam is in her midst or even her sight from far away.
So, although she does a lot of activities on her own already, I'll make an even greater effort to take her places by herself and build up our bond.
Finally, Gretchen suggested a whistle, so I purchased one.
Practice using the whistle and giving an immediate treat when she responds, she suggested.
I cannot believe how effective the whistle became after just a couple of practices.
What is truly perplexing is that while we were practicing in the house, Liam seemed to know naturally that a whistle means to "come." He immediately showed up from his resting spot in the bathroom. We've never used a whistle with him.
When she first arrived for her lesson, Bridie slithered back and forth and low to the floor, eventually making it into her classroom.
Within a few minutes, she seemed right at home checking out the enclosure while Gretchen and I talked.
I do believe I shall take the six weeks of lessons. It will be fun for Bridie and fun for me working with Gretchen, whose mother's last name was LOVE.
So, maybe this connection was meant to be.
Lots of water around here, but the best part? It used to be snow.
My horses are doing their part in removing the mud from their barnyard. They roll in it and carry it off.
If I could just teach them to roll 50 times a day, maybe the barnyard would be dry sooner rather than later.
Anyway, we're getting there spring-wise, and every day the grass looks a little greener, except where the moles and voles have left big heavy deposits of dirt.
The mole mounds are especially bad out south of the house, and I wish I had some sort of equipment to clean it up because shoveling that stuff and hauling it off is back-breaking work.
Today we have blue sky and no rain, so I'm expecting some significant progress in yard clean-up and snow melt.
What's this bird?
It showed up all by itself at the feeder yesterday.
Slightly bigger than a finch.
YES!
That's Bill last October in Ireland.
Three months from today I hope to replicate this scene with the addition of Annie, Willie and Debbie when we meet in Kildare, Ireland, even if we have to swim to get to Ireland
Bill is walking on the plains of Curragh, an amazing expanse near Kildare and the scene of a famous movie.
Enjoy the information in the link.
http://www.curragh.info/landmarks/plains.htm
~~~~~~~
Finally, another Game Day and two more games in the road to the Final Four.
Later this afternoon, the ZAGS play Arkansas.
If they win, they'll move on to the Elite Eight on Saturday and we'll get to watch more basketball.
Game time: 4:09 PDT
CBS
GO, ZAGS!!
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