Good job, Flash

I have spent a lot of time complaining about Flash not retrieving balls and toys. He wants to play, but play means he want us to throw the toy and then chase him. We're too old to chase a young border collie.

The other day, I put the retractable leash on Flash and we went to the back yard to train. Flash loves it. He doesn't think of it as training, he things we are playing. Anyway, I threw a tennis ball and, of course, he went after it. Then I tugged on the leash a little and asked him to bring it back. And he did! So we played this game for awhile, interspersed with a cookie from time to time. He was having fun. He would bring back the ball and drop it into my hand and I would reward him either with a cookie or with throwing it again.

Then I took the leash off and played the same game. Whereas, formerly he would just run away with the ball, this time he actually brought it back! Time after time, he would get the ball, bring it back, drop it into my hand, and get a cookie or get to chase the ball again. Yea! Good dog.

Trainer Rachel was right. You just have to repeat the task again and again until he gets it and wants to do it. I know it will take many more days of working on this exercise before he will forget about taking the ball away instead of returning it, but at least we had a breakthrough. I'm happy.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Flash takes a walk on Connie's Loop

Today, Dennis is taking Flash on a walk around Connie's Loop, a 5-mile trail we usually use for horseback riding. This will be a big deal for Flash...and Dennis!

Flash and his Daddy

While I was trying to sell some of my jewelry at a Craft Show in Pine Valley yesterday, Dennis took Flash with him on his weekly shopping trek down the hill. They picked up Uncle Johnny and did their shopping errands. At Costco, Dennis bought Flash two hot dogs. Flash was very attentive. He met a lot of people who wanted to pet him. He is a very happy dog.

Uncle Johnny feeds Flash a hot dog