I never did write about Zoe’s last class, did I. Den came with us, along with the camera, so I got some photos of her big day.

The class was spent playing a game: the room was split into two teams, and we competed against each other. the instructor had a stack of cards, each with a task on it. For instance, the dog must hold a sit-stay for 30 seconds while the owner is 10 feet away. We got to choose if we wanted a Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced task. After hearing the task, the team would nominate one owner/dog to attempt it. Each completed one got points.

So the first task Zoe was nominated for (actually I volunteered) was the one mentioned above - I put her in a sit-stay, walked 10 feet away, and tried to keep her in place with my voice alone. She felt nervous in the center of the room like that, and she kept trying to inch away. I’d “oops” her and she’d abort her attempt to get up. But, she only lasted 25 seconds. We tried three times, but that was about her breaking point. The instructor gave us the points anyways, since she knows Zoe’s anxiety issues - that was actually pretty good for her.

While the others were doing tasks Zoe was happily splayed out on the floor beside me. She looked very relaxed, and she seemed to appreciate having Den there with us, she seemed a little more confident than usual. He gave her treats and tried to coax her into doing “tricks” like climbing up onto his lap (she made it halfway).

The corgi in the class was sitting next to us, and Zoe spent a while laying there with her chin on the ground, staring at the corgi. She even tried creeping her way over there. Can you imagine! Zoe trying to go see another dog. We did end up letting them sniff and meet at one point. Zoe had her tail down and was a little nervous, but she did good.

Our team got a difficult task: with the dog in a sit-stay, the owner was to walk away dropping a treat every foot for 10 feet, then call the dog - and the dog had to come without eating any treats! The instructor looked at Zoe and said, “I think there’s one dog who can do that.” So we tried it. Zoe held her stay, though she sniffed the closest treat from where she was sitting. I purposely positioned her in the middle of the room, and me in our corner. I called her with great enthusiasm and opened my arms wide. And she came flying! Didn’t even look at any of those silly treats. Zoe just wanted to go back to where it’s safe. LOL

In the end of the class Zoe was given the prize for Most Improved Dog! Yeah Zoe!

After class I made sure our name was down for the Intermediate class starting in July. I’d like to start sooner, but with me going on vacation for two weeks in June we have to wait. I’m looking forward to it! I’m not so sure Zoe is.