Agility Class

Ellee had class tonight with Aunt Marcie teaching the class!  She loves that because Marcie runs her and she can go FAST! Plus, lets face it, Marcie gives much better signals than I do!  Tonight we worked on a big circle of obstacles....first the hoop, than the A frame, a jump, tunnel, teeter, dogwalk, chute, and finally the weaves!  Ellee hesitated and went slow on the teeter, but we worked on it during free time in class and if I am firm about starting it, than she does it....but she goes easy to tip it and than she is fine...every other obstacle is great now....the weaves are ALMOST straight up as well....we are getting there!!!  On ;the second round we worked on a tunnel bug/jump situation where the tunnel is placed in a circle with the entrances blocked so it is a big round circle with jumps around it so the owner can stand and gesture around the circle and the dog follows their hand/arm and jumps all three jumps around the circle and then goes  back around the circle of jumps.  For the third run we did the Aframe, jump and tunnel--BUT the runner had to stay back from the dog a little distance, and this is the beginning to JackPot training--where the runner stays in a box or behind a line and gives commands for the dog from a distance.  It is a fun game.  And we ended the class with more free time to work on any of the obstacles-- just as we started the class.  Several of the class members came up to  tell me how much they love Marcie's quiet and calm manner, the way she is so helpful and takes the time to really listen....and Becky is the other teacher in the class--she runs her shelties--and she is also the kind of teacher who takes time and really tries to help you--they work well together and the class is fun-- but if you pay attention-- very educational--as Mardcie talks about the run you just gave, she also gives you tips, talks about the equipment and training techniques, gives compliments as well as suggestions, and you feel happy.  She also ALWAYS treats the dogs well.   I am VERY proud of Marcie!  
We are staying on top of  Ellee's  service dog training as well...we attended 2 movies this weekend...Ellee really liked HOP and followed the bunny with her head...it was  SO cute that the people sitting next to me laughed at her as well as the movie.  We also went out to eat to practice her food and people skills....she did fine and of course we walked at the mall....also good.  So far we haven't had any real problems mixing in the agility training.  I will share it if we do!