Claire has progressed remarkably in her draft training.
I am a big fan of just time in the cart before much of anything else. Turns, for example, really need to wait until the dog is very comfortable just pulling in a straight line.
With a lot of straight driveway time behind us, Claire is now turning like a champ because she is very comfortable in the cart.
Claire is also backing well, has a great “slow” and her halts are solid (FYI — I give a treat for halt/sit 100% of the time in training). Because I am very intentional in rewarding her attention on me, Claire is focused and engaged. We are building up time in a stay, working on the “narrows” and have practiced a freight haul with another dog.
Draft is so many little pieces, all of which need to be trained separately and carefully - and thoroughly. A fearful experience in the cart, which is easy to cause if one rushes a dog, can take a long time to get over.
Every time I train a new dog, I am reminded how much fun it is to draft with a dog — for everyone involved :)
Have a fantastic day!