But somehow everybody likes
him–even the little dogs in our training group are
always anxious to see him, although I can’t figure out
why–his usual approach is to try to plant a paw on
them. All the people like him, and my vet and his
assistants always talk about the boys as “our favorite
shepherds.”
He is starting to focus–and I think I will have him
pretty well trained through Utility by the time he can
pay attention in the ring. He is doing very well on
Open. I have to raise his jump height, but have been
training with 18-20″ just so he can concentrate on the
retrieve part. He still anticipates, but it is
getting better. And he may just end up as a great
tracker, especially if I can figure out the key to
making him point to articles more clearly. Right now
he just wants to keep tracking. The old
ball-in-the-pocket may do it.
And yes, Mackie is the first dog who ever managed to
stretch out on the bed with Old Dad during reading
time. I couldn’t believe it the first time I saw it.
And Mac is very nice to Dad on those occasions. When
he jumps up with me he bounces around and carries on,
but with Dad he just settles in.
He did try to get in the laps of our guests tonight,
but fortunately they like dogs.