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Momo used to entirely empty himself at the dog park to the point of nothing but (my turn for TMI) green slime that I had No idea how to pick up. I would kick some dirt over it and try to pick that up the best I could. For him I think it was nerves. He was always Mr. Independent at home, but when we got to the dog park he was Mr. Velcro. After the initial, "wowowowow, all these dogs! Here I gooooo," it was like, "uh, that's a lot of dogs and they're like . . . sniffing and looking at me. Moooooom!" That poor pup with the ruptured gland! Owie. For the left side I'm going to have the husband hold her leash - she did the C body curl a couple times when I was getting the right side. Better safe . . .. I'm ambidextrous to a point so I'll try left handing it so as not to have to use my thumb and hopefully make it easier on her as a result. Hers is metallic - like wet metal. Much preferred to Gertie's rotten tuna, but still a bit nauseating due to the strength of the odor. Training went very well. She said she was sorry to have me do some of the remedial things because both girls are already quite well on their way, Gertie especially, but it will help to restructure my technique. She thinks my skill level is above what she's having me do for the restructure so good job Adrienne for helping me get there! 💜 We got a compliment today. 😊 Gertie's homework is sitting at the door and sitting for greetings, regardless of who it is. Recalls (still - forever if we're honest). Step and Sit is a game we'll be playing with her. Esther's homework . . . lol. Leave - she knocked this one out of the park after about 7 repeats with Leah. Leah says Esther is "scary smart," and I agree. That's part of the issue, ha! It was the same problem with Momo - he was smarter than me! Esther started looking away when presented with the "forbidden" hand and at one point even moved away from it to get her reward. Go Esther! Naturally it was a little less smooth when it was my turn. 85% of dog training is human training after all! Esther is also going to be learning heel, restructured. Leah was really good about explaining where Esther's body should be and how I should lead with the foot next to Esther and I could use the seam on my jeans as a good idea of where Esther should be taking the treat. She showed me how to use the fence as a guide to get Esther in the correct place. We'll work on body position in the future so Esther is parallel with me instead of cattywampus, but for now it's getting her close to having her toes just behind my toes. Considering the puppies across the street were out Esther did marvelously. Lastly, the Step and Sit game for Esther as well. I am going to learn to reward for each, "yes" I issue, regardless of intention. This will build trust. I have a bad habit of saying yes when there isn't going to be a payment. I may be the worst of the students in this equation by the time everything is done! I will also be getting into the habit of praising even when there won't be a reward, but that praise shan't include the word, "yes." 🤦‍♀️ I'm like a Thesaurus until it comes to training and then I'm on repeat. The pups are sleeping now, lol. Time for me to try to get some work done during this peaceful moment. It was a great session and she was pleased with the progress I made so I get to stay on green instead of being demoted. I think I should get a treat for that. <eyeballs the "leftover" KitKats from Halloween> (We never get trick or treaters . . . ).