I am teaching one private lesson at Petco. The man is around 75 and he rescued a 1.5 year old lab. She was being left outside all the time and not fed. She has no been socialized at all. The first lesson, we just played and did a couple of easy things to get her used to the store. She would not walk more than about 4 feet on the tile though. I showed him some clicker training and gave him some pointers on how to get her to go into the van on her own. Today, they came and and I could tell she was much happier. Getting her in the door was a bit tricky, but lots of dogs get scared of those automatic doors. She now sits very well, she learned down today. We played the box game, but she got too distracted. We taught her to respond to her name. A little bit of stay, and
SHE WALKED HALFWAY AROUND THE STORE!
I was so proud of her and of myself and Bob, her owner! After we got halfway, I decided to turn around and go back. She had a bit of an issue going back, but it was a HUGE improvement! When our lesson was over, I asked Bob if he would like some help getting Sandy into the van. To that he replied "Oh! No! Come watch this!" I walked to his van with him and she jumped right in! Most of this has been done with the help of a clicker! I am very proud of Sandy and Bob!
Bob and Sandy were made for each other. He told me the story of her rescue. He moved into a new house and his neighbors were neglecting Sandy. He took her, after feeding her a few hamburgers over the fence, and got her into shape. He just wants her to be socialized. He talks about how sad it is that mentally, she is still a puppy since she has had no socialization or training. He loves her! I think Sandy gives him some life! He had some kind of respiratory condition and cancer. Had he not told me, I would never have known! He loves Sandy so much and just wants to see her be a happy dog! I really have found the best pair ever for my first private lesson! They both are so willing to learn and I love that!