Gate Etiquette Exam at beginning of class next week...

We will be testing your Longe Line handling doing a Gate Etiquette Exam coming into the gates at Applewoods.  We will greet you at the gate and give you instructions on coming in, one student/dog at a time, for your individual Exam.

Please review the Longe Line Gate Etiquette video posted. Start practicing standing on the Longe Line close to your dog's collar, then open a gate, stepping off the Longe Line quietly and letting the dog choose to remain at your left side until you move forward (smart dog).  However, should your dog choose to move ahead of you (hasn't learned to read your feet yet), do the fastest turn IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION and keep moving until the dog follows you.  Repeat until when you can open a gate and ever so quietly slide your left foot off the Longe Line, give your dog the choice to remain beside you (smart dog) and then go through the gate with your left foot doing normal Longe Line work.

Remember, no speaking or looking at your dog when you do Longe Line training and this includes the Gate Etiquette.  We are helping you to train your dog that an open door, gate, anything means to wait and pay attention to you until further instructions.  Your dog is also learning to "Honor boundaries" and that will mean more as we go through the next couple of weeks.

THIS GATE ETIQUETTE EXERCISE CAN SAVE YOUR DOG'S LIFE.

Roxanne

PS: If yo don't pass the Exam next week, I will let you know and will recommend a Tutor Session.