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Okay, I've been working on Panda's sit/stay. He's up to 2 minutes with me about 15 feet away. I'll practice it in class again tonight (good distraction setting) since I think class is focused on stuff Panda already knows (sit, down, and stand combos). Or maybe I'll practice his down/stays. I've done one practice session on down/stays. He did really well probably because he's already familiar with stay and he's more comfortable lying down than sitting! So by the end of the session, Panda was doing 1.5 minute down/stays. I'm only clicking/treating for non-butt-shifting stays. If he doesn't lie down straight, I make him get up and lie down again and if he shifts his butt to get comfortable, I don't click. I figure it's better to be overly conservative now than try to retrain that later if I have to for sake of competing.

I've also started to work on "touch" (targeting). I think this behavior is going to be instrumental in developing Panda's skills for therapy work. He's had about 3 training sessions on touch and it's coming along nicely. I get my finger all slimy, point to something, say "touch" and when Panda touches my finger, click/treat. This behavior is actually harder to develop than I had thought. I'm having problems regarding when to click/treat. For instance, Panda sometimes touches my hand as opposed to my finger (I think he's investigating my curled up hand for food). So I should only click/treat if he touches the tip of my finger but I do blow it on occasion. Also, eventually, I have to get Panda to touch where I last touched, that is, make the object the focal point, not my finger. I don't know if I started this whole thing off wrong or if this is something I correct as I go by only clicking when he comes into contact with the object from now on. I need to get some advice. Good thing class is tonight!

Speaking of class, I've sent my instructor a bunch of emails this week and she's going to try and help me break down the behaviors I need Panda to do for therapy work. I've been in touch with the person I need to bring Panda to for certification. She said that since I observed a therapy visit, the next step is for me to bring Panda in on the next screening date. If he passes screening, then I need to come up with a therapy site and she'll attend the first visit and then we're off and running. And the great news is that she told me there is a CGC trial at the end of March! Now I just have to figure out how to practice some of that stuff so Panda can pass this test!

This week I also went to observe a clicker training class at a facility closer to me. The instructor seemed really good at directing the class. My plan is to sign Panda up for the level 2 class (after this class ends) that focuses on performing basic obedience in increasingly distracting situations. Sounds like a great class for us! Unfortunately, it's more expensive and 2 weeks shorter but not much can be done about that.

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