Lazy days

Not much done the past couple days.   I am currently recovering from a doozie of a back injury, and just haven't felt much up to doing anything Sunday or Monday.   I did take Gracie for a short walk, about 4 blocks total, which she did very well as usual.  Even so, I did put her on a GL just to be sure since we haven't had much walkies this winter, but I just couldn't do anything more.

Did some more work reinforcing her targeting and the usual drills... sit, down, etc.  

It's sometimes extremely difficult to work seriously with her indoors (and the weather has been crappy) because of our other dog, Quincy.   Quincy is 13 1/2 years old, went deaf this winter, and all about the goodies.  So, she hangs really close when Grace is getting training treats and generally causing a distraction.   I know I should separate her when I'm trying to work with The Weeze, but it honestly isn't just that easy... if she knows what's going on, she'll raise all sorts of ruckus, such as being left in the yard (to save my family's sanity) while I took Grace on a walk.  She stood at the gate and HOWLED!   Quincy has never howled before!

So, as I don't sleep well because of my back pain, as I'm up late I work with Gracie while Quincy is sleeping.   Thus, the blog posting at all hours of the night.

We did a little work with a box tonight.   Shaped her to scoot it around the room, a behavior she's getting pretty good at.   Also reviewed the target stick, which she's getting to move up to touch when it's above her head!  Very cool.

One thing with this method I'm sort of confused about:  Everyone talks about how much fun it is (and it is), but is it supposed to be pretty low key?   I understand it that I'm supposed to be pretty quiet while training, although I do give her a "Good" after c/t, which is her secondary reinforcer from the beginning of her training.  I do praise a lot, especially when she earns a jackpot.   But I'm quiet while she's seeking the behavior I'm looking for.    Is this right?  Wrong?  Both?