Good session bridge training with Smoke – my daughters youngster. Went to catch him and he waited until I was about a foot away and came to meet me. Yesterday he just walked off as soon as I was anywhere near.
Took him to the arena and let him loose – he followed me to the gate and I went outside the arena and stood by the gate. He was calm and I bridged and he looked away fairly quickly to get his treat.
Next I introduced a target – he wasn’t sure about this and backed off. I stood quietly holding it and let him come to it, bridged for just sniffing and treated when he turned his nose away. He had a few moments of trying to get a treat but I walked away and let him calm down. He is still not sure of the target but he did touch it a few times so I left it there and went back in the arena, he stood next to me – no mugging and I gave him a few more treats. Then we walked back out into the field and I left him with some treats on the floor.
Hope this improves over the next few days – he didn’t walk so close today – usually he has his nose on my arm. Very pleased with Smoke, must not ignore Benny though.
Positive Horsemanship. 