Day Seven - timely, even

Day seven started as most days have with more obedience training. While we are still learning, Mojo seems to be becoming bored with doing the same things over and over. We have been told that this is normal for some dogs and that you simply have to work through it. Also, changing the location of training (a.k.a. going home) should make things easier. Another issue creating problems is, because of the mobility assistance portion of Mojo’s training, we are now having to re-train on some things. Where with a “come” command, the dogs are usually taught to come to you and go into a sitting position, doing so with Sean could potentially pull him down. So, Mojo has to learn to remain at a stand at times.

We have also found that using Mojo as a therapy “pillow,” where Sean nuzzles into a crook between Mojo’s leg and body when Mojo is laying on his side is currently perceived by Mojo as play. We’ll have to keep working on that one, too.

Last night we went out to a local restaurant. For those of you familiar with it, it was much like Texas Roadhouse, where there were peanut shells on the floor – EVERYWHERE. Mojo was very reluctant to go into the “down” position under the table, as he is supposed to. Once we got him settled, he was fine, but we did our best to sweep as many shells out with our feet. The experience was very positive, overall. The wait staff and management were very receptive to Mojo’s presence, as were the patrons seated around us. Our waitress was a bundle of questions.

Sean slept through the night last night (until 4:00 am) and went right back to sleep after being covered up again. Hopefully, we can train Mojo to respond during the night with a “lap” command so that Sean goes right back to sleep without Mom or Dad having to intervene. It is these things of which we dream.

Outdoor tracking went well. We were at a park and Sean’s track was through and around the diamonds. Bill, one of our classmates, took Sean on his path and hid with him so neither Mom’s nor Dad’s scents were associated with the search. The only real hiccup was when Mojo found a baseball under a bush toward the beginning of the track. Since his reward at the end of each successful session is playtime with a ball, he figured that he was done. A little coaxing got him back to business.

The afternoon found us back at the mall. This time we tracked through a JCPenney store. Compared to outdoor tracking, this was a breeze. You do not use the 30-foot retractable lead that you use outside. You use his standard leash but at a slower pace. Mojo gave very specific indication when he had the scent trail and went straight to Sean each time.

Well, that’s about it for today. A few pics should go up shortly and there should be a video, as well.