Last night was graduation, for both Sugar and Marlin! They have completed Basic Manners, wahoo!
Sugar. This will be it for Sugar. She improved SO much in 7 weeks. I really didn't care if she learned anything, I just wanted her to build her confidence and not be so nervous and panic when another dog is about. She spent the first class in Dad's lap. Last night she was willing to follow me all about the room when everyone was OFF LEASH!This is a huge step for her.
For those who may not remember, Sugar was attacked by a bull mastiff when she was in her foster home. At the time, she was almost totally blind with cataracts. She was in a coma for 72 hours. (I knew all this before I adopted her.) She has since had cataract surgery on one eye with a lens implant, so she has perfect vision in that eye. When she arrived here Dec 9, 2006, if she heard a dog bark a block away she was in a panic, dashing to the end of her leash to get home and hide under the bed. The first time I took her in to the training facility, April of 2007, she was so scared hearing all the dogs that they had me put her back in the car while we talked. She was too nervous to attend a class at that point, so I have been working with her almost a year, and got her into class in March. As a side benefit, she also learned to sit on command and to stay for a short period. (still working on that.) She refuses to 'lie down' on command, silly girl!
Sugar today with my wisteria (not quite open yet.)
Marlin. Marlin was the class clown, he is such a ham. He still thinks everyone exists to pet him, and has NO fear. He tries everything, immediately. He also offers every behavior he had ever learned, as he is convinced one of those will get him the treat, te hee.He is currently working on his CGC (the classes overlapped for 2 weeks). And last night his instructor suggested I take him to Agility. "Just keep him off the dog walk, he is too impulsive, he'll fall off it for sure."
At last night's class, we introduced them to the hoop, tire and tunnel as a part of graduation (to see if they have learned to try new things.) Marlin was the only one to show no fear of any of it and as soon as he figured out what I wanted, he did it. (He would also sit, lie down, offer his paw to shake, spin, etc.
Marlin with my lilac.
(For anyone interested, Lacey completed this class last November.)
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It is truly heartwarming to read that Sugar is slowly putting her fears behind her. Thank you, Sandie, for helping her to do that and to feel more self confident each day. The flowers in your yard are gorgeous but do pale in comparison to your adorable pupsters. 
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