Through and Back 0r Weave

Through and Back or Weave

Remember, “in” and “out” are negative commands to a dog, so avoid using them as much as possible.

Bonnie taught me this command when we were out for a walk. There is a car park for sight seers in our town. Around it are bollards. Within the first few days of having Bonnie – she made a bee line to the bollards and weaved through and back between them. I watched her with amazement and saw her enjoying herself.

Psychology: This has been the standard Bonnie has set for herself all the time I have had her. She is always keen to show off her talents.

So, I just said “through” and “back” as she weaved in and out of the bollards and in a few moments Bonnie taught me a new trick.

I had been carrying on this way about two years. I was speaking to a friend and he said, “when the dogs go to the agility shows their owners just say 'weave.' ” I tried this, and now Bonnie went through the bollards perfectly and I only needed to say “weave.”

This shows me that other owners have better ideas than me and I will always listen to advice from them.

Up and Down

Up and Down

When at the vet, she asked me: “The next time you come to visit I want you to ask Bonnie to jump up on the table when you come in to the treatment room.”

When the next appointment came a few days later, I asked Bonnie to jump up onto the table. She had been practising in the garden on the garden table. But when she tried to do it in the vets, the table moved and frightened her.

The vet remarked: “I wasn't expecting her to do it so soon, you have a good dog, if she can learn this so easily.”