Training Freedom: HERE WE go AgAin! By Jo Sermon, photos courtesy of author except where noted Assess Shady seems to have stopped growing for a while; he's starting to grow into himself. He enjoys training. He has a sunny disposition and is happy to do most things I ask of him. So? Do I have the dog I need? How about Darcey (Whippet, nearly a year old) and Dexi (small cute crossbreed, probably 18 moths old) are they where I need them to be? To answer I'd like to take a look at the other end: what skills does a dog need to bring to his first agility lesson, be it private or in a class? * He has to know how to learn. * All three youngsters know this, with Darcey perhaps needing more work as she tends to give up if it's not fun/ rewarding enough for her-she's skilled at looking sad! As their tricks progress, I'm discovering more about each of them and I will continue working on thoughtful tricks and chaining tricks together as our understanding progresses. * He has to be able to focus in distracting environments and he has to be able to focus on me. I took Shady's bits and pieces of learning and playing to a parking lot. We played with a toy, but Shady is still distracted by moving cars. I worked to get him back (in the face of distractions you need to put your heart into the game and make it worthwhile). He sits while the distraction-the car-is still moving. Then he gives me a down as the car finally parks! * This is a priority for the next couple of months for all three dogs. We're going to take their little bits of learn- ing and tricks on the road and see what we have. Can you sit/down/stand next to a road? Can you weave in and out of my legs next to a tennis court? 20 Clean Run | June 17