1. As usual, on our daily walk a small off-leash dog came trotting after us. Small dogs make me more nervous than big dogs just because Inara likes to put their heads in her mouth.
Normally I would have quickened my breathing and started getting a little excited, but I've been working with a new trainer who stresses confidence, or at least "fake it till you make it." So I stayed very calm, and quietly told Inara to sit, and she did. This dog came right up to us (I stayed between them) and Inara just kept sitting still, not tugging at all. I was so proud of her!!!!!
2. I don't generally keep a collar on her in the apartment, so when I take her out to pee I just loop a leash through itself and take her out on that. Tonight I was feeling sassy and daring so I did the usual thing with the leash, let her pee, and then I fixed the leash up around the top of her neck, right behind her ears, and did a lap around my courtyard - and she did almost a perfect heel! We've been still working on the prong, religiously, with heeling, so I think it's rubbing off! I was so excited, but stayed calm and offered gentle praise as she heeled.
Woo hoo!
