Well I just put on my treat-apron and put Zoe through her paces in the living room. It’s a good time to do it, middle of the night: Zeeke is in the bedroom asleep, and there are no distractions outside either. She is much more attentive here at home than she is at training class - with no scary things going on!

She still has problems holding a stay. But when we started she couldn’t sit still at all, so this is definite improvement. Usually with an “oops” or two she’ll sit back down. The first few times I tried to walk around back of her she turned to face me, but she seemed to get the picture that I wanted her to stay facing that direction - she just nearly twisted her neck all the way around trying to watch me the entire time, lol! After that she did manage to hold a stay the entire time, which was excellent. I do have to keep my reactions sharp though. Down-stays are harder for her, for some reason… she has this habit of popping back up again. But again, she did hold a stay through an entire 360 walk-around, and with me jumping back and forth 6′ in front of her. I also practiced her “front” - which at home she actually does quickly. At class she did come… slowly, while looking nervously around the entire time.

I’ve asked Den to help me out this weekend, using him and Zeeke as distractions outside. Because that’s REALLY what she needs help with. When she sees Zeeke, her brain seems to fly right out of her body.