Does this pose look familiar?

It sure does to me. My time with little Ellie is still fresh in my mind. The furtive glances. The dashes from the room. You guessed it; I’ve got me another shy client!

My new client Dixie the terrier mix was a bit more outgoing with me than Ellie was at the first lesson (and more hospitable – she didn’t bark at me once!) but she was very similar in that I couldn’t teach her much during our intro session.

Sit? Oh no. That requires close quarters. No thanks. Coming when called? Uh, no?

We worked on a very simple exercise loosely titled, “we’re-going-to-walk-around-the-room-and-toss-treats-to-you- so-you-don’t-run-away-in-fear.” It was successful, as was the great exercise, “Victoria-is-going-to-“accidentally”-drop-her-bag-but-don’t-run-off-because-your-person-is-going-to-feed-you-awesome-treats.” She did a fine job.

As always, baby steps. Dixie is Fred, I’m Ginger. Lead away, Dixie, I’m all yours.