The First Rally Advanced Q

[BlackPuppy]

Well, we went to our first Rally Advanced trial.

We tried to train for this, but Balto just didn't seem to be "getting it". Specifically, I'm talking about the <u>come to front from a sit</u>, and the <u>left pivots</u>. He never did one right in practice. A couple times I'd tap his butt with my left toe to get him to sit straight, but that just made him jump 3 feet in the air. As for the pivot, no way did he figure it out. I was worried that we would look totally stupid.

Well, something happened at the trial, he did everything just right except for the old <u>Novice, come to front 1,2,3 steps back</u>. He kept wanting to come back to heel.

Geez, did he learn watching the other dogs that day? We got a 95 and placed second by 1 point.

I think there's some old soul inside him and he just knows it all already and doesn't feel like being perfect in practice. Even at the Show n Go a couple of weeks ago, he did every sit on his hip, puppy style. That's a lot of sits.

I wonder if he'll do the <u>walk back 3 steps </u>when we get to excellent.

[Kayla's Dad]

Congratulations on getting that first leg.

Have you started working of the <u>back 3 steps</u> exercise? If not, try starting it against a wall so Balto can't swing out. I'll bet he'll pick it up pretty quick.

[BlackPuppy]

He knows what "get back" means, because that's what I say when we do tight 360 lefts.

I'll give it a try.

[amjrchamberlain]

Congrats on your new Q!

You might use front guides to help get a proper front for your come to front sign.