I am so proud of my boy!!  We switched from the Thursday night class to the Wednesday night class because the Thursdays just didn't end up working out; I would have had to miss 2 classes in a row and I just didn't want to do that.  Anyway, we went to class on Wed and it was really fun.  They were a week behind our class so we got a repeat of class #2, which was just fine with me. 

The week before the instructor had us introduce our dogs to the concept of 'down'. Well, Rex was having none of that. Long story short - at the end of the class, I was sweating bullets and he was still being very naughty and stubborn about the whole thing.

Well, we practiced all week long and it became a game.  You know, I read somewhere that brown poodles are considered the clowns of the breed.  That is the truth, let me tell you.  Rex now thinks 'down' is the best thing ever.  He literally throws himself down and it's just hilarious.  

In class on Wed night he did so well that the instructor told about our previous weeks experience and pointed out how practicing really makes a difference.  Then she had me demonstrate with Rex.  What a proud moment!  He was so good. He is so full of exhuberance and joy - he just prances along beside me and is so darned cute.  Then we went to the doggy store and we practiced in there too.  He did good but he still cringes away from people when they try to pet him.  His fear issues are deeply ingrained.  I hope with time he gets better - won't be good at a show if while standing for exam he cringes away from the judge and runs behind my legs!!

This morning I took him for a long walk and he did very well, although he'd love to surge ahead and just explore.  He was pretty good though (training collar always helps!). 

This afternoon I am taking Lacie to town for a walk and then Keisha will go with my daughter and I when she walks her dog after school.  Takes a lot of work to get these dogs exercised every day!  I let them out in the pen to run this morning for a while and they ran full bore around that thing for 10 solid minutes!  They just had a ball.  It's really cold so I didn't want to leave them out there for too long but they sure enjoy themselves. They absolutely love the snow.  I try to let them out in the pen twice a day for 10 minutes or so.  Rex and Keisha don't seem to mind the cold but Lacie is ready to come in. 

Have a good day everyone!