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    This weekend was a challenging reality check. 

    First a Saturday workshop in Vacaville, at which Spur decided that he had forgotten all the exercises we've been so painstakingly learning.  He did the go out, but only with prolonged sniffing at the far gate, and a refusal to sit.

    He stared at me in confusion when I gave him a down signal.

    He ran out to the article pile and brought back whichever one he first reached.

    All in all, it was a monumental mess-up, and one which prompted suggestions, tips and guidance from people who definitely know what they're doing.   Still - some of those ideas reflect a different training method and approach than I've been using.

    I was advised not to put treats out for the go out, and not to follow him out for a reward on the sit.  This represents a fairly drastic change for him.  As I experimented with some of these ideas, I felt Spur begin to shut down.   And so we headed home.  While he snored in his crate, I agonized over what to do.

    In our own yard, we practiced the goes as we've been doing them.  Treats at the far gate intermittently, a treat for every good turn and sit.

    Sunday morning I was back on the road, this time to Lodi for a private session with my long-time trainer, Mary Vogler.  I arrived, leapt out of the car, and poured out my concerns.

    Thank goodness for Mary.  She reminded me that she and I are on a path with Spur.  He is four - still young for utility - and he is green.  She is convinced our training plan is working, and I am confident she is correct.

    I set up my jumps and gates in a field that is unfamiliar to Spur, and we began to put him through some paces.  These included sending him to a post spread with cheese and commanding him to sit before finishing the treat.  The idea being to cure the sniffing problem.

    I don't expect miracles, but I'm feeling better about our progress.  Our April failures served as an object lesson.  To know if we are ready, we must keep trying. 

    I have a plan and a strategy for that, and it begins next Saturday with the Coyote Kennel Club Trials in Vallejo.   We will go for one day, to take the temperature, and clarify what needs work.

    I plan to take my gate to the grounds for an on-site warm-up.  I plan to arrive early, so Spur is as utterly comfortable on the grounds as possible.  And I plan to get out for training as much as possible this week.

    This campaign, as Mary reminds me, is a journey.  The point is to make every step a step forward - even those steps which do not appear to be fully successful.

    I'm on board with that.  And I'm looking forward to that time when Spur is right there, fully with us as well.