Another variable week this week, with progress in some areas and some less desirable outcomes in others.
Understanding what Venn is trying to tell us is still an ongoing process, and although we are getting better at understanding, the threat of “consequences” still looms large. I have tried explaining to her that in dog training circles this type of punishment-based teaching is generally considered a no-no, but she remains unconcerned.
Sleep deprivation is also considered a poor teaching aid, but we are still having intermittent 5 a.m. “need to go out” calls, before the main event at 6:30. With the poor August weather, I’ve had to rethink my wardrobe for the middle-of-the-night trips to the garden; a dressing gown is not the right thing for the pouring rain, and my waterproof jackets are simply, ehm, too short.
The recall schedule remains on track, but as we are only mid-way through the process it is not ready to be used in anger. Unfortunately, the adventurous and inquisitive Venn is starting to need calling back a little more frequently; she has spotted and run off to visit guests on the driveway (thankfully on foot) on a couple of occasions this week, one of which involved a white-trouser/jumping up incident. Not ideal! As part of her socialisation, Venn gets introduced to guests as a matter of course, mostly whilst being held, but occasionally on the floor (especially after she peed all down me whilst saying hello). We will have to get on top of the jumping-up quickly.
The poor weather has hampered training somewhat. Venn is doing well when we work in a quiet spot indoors, but we really need to be moving the lessons out into a slightly more distracting environment. The rain is bad enough for demotivating her, but the wind seems to be equally problematic in distracting her and making her hyper all at the same time. Roll on summertime!
One set of departing guests commented that Venn would be “well-trained” by the next time they saw her. It struck me that she is already pretty well trained, just not that well-learnt. I kept it to myself.
Other firsts this week included: first swim (she fell off rocks into the estuary) and first wasp sting (due to a shared interest in rotten apples.)
And finally, and as if the damage to the rockery were not enough, she has been living up to her namesake, Diggory Venn, with a bit of lawn excavation. She seems to favour moss, of which there is plenty, so I’m trying to look on it in a positive way.
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