Sit...

I'm trying to teach Duncan to sit now. It's a little difficult because he's so shy. The research I've done for shy dogs says to hold is collar under the chin to keep him from laying down, while folding his rear end under him. But he dances away from me when I try this and I can't reach his rear end to show him what I mean by "sit." He thinks I'm going to grab him or hurt him when I reach out to try to manipulate his body to sit. So then of course the tendency is to lay down instead. We'll keep trying though. I really think that some obedience needs to be our next step before his progression will continue much further with regard to trust and affection or anything. I do feel more confident now after our trip to Petco last week that Duncan could handle a class situation with other dogs and more importantly their people.

Duncan is also doing much better at coming into the house from the back yard. I laid down my wheelbarrow as a barrier on the far side of the shed to keep him from using the shed to hide behind. It seemed to make a big difference. I sometimes still have to prop the door open, but I rarely have to even leave the deck anymore to get him to come in. The last couple of days it has been raining, so he has come in with me just holding the door open for him. Gracie is getting more and more defiant with me and will step right outside as if she's allowed to even when I just open the back door now. Indignant little feline!

We went to the park again yesterday afternoon. Duncan met a cute little 4 month old Sheltie, and a great big Yellow Lab who were walking together. The Sheltie was very cute and the Lab was very sweet. This picture is of Duncan at the park yesterday.