some city training

I had the opportunity to work with each dog in the city last night. I have not had Mona on leash in a long time, and so she wanted to pull. I jerked the leash a few times and she was not responging to that, so I stopped walking, let her out ahead, and then jerked right as the reached the end. I waited for her to come back to me and sit by my side, in "place" position. I did tell her place, just to be clear. Then we walked. I took one step and had her sit. Then two steps and sit. We did a few random sits while walking and that fixed up the pulling on leash problem. Mona is very good about streets, but I worked on them a bit, tricking her into stepping into the street and then working through it. I took her on the Broadway, a busy business district, and tied her out while I ordered some food. I let her pull on the leash on the way to the park while I was eating. When we got to the park, I let her off leash and she was a doll. I sat and ate and she sniffed around. I love the way she wanders and appears aloof but the second I call her she turns on a dime and runs to me. She avoids other dogs, too.

I walked Daphne on the city streets a little bit and worked mainly on street awareness. I made her sit in front of each curb, and even when I stepped into the street. She made 2 major mistakes so I had to be sure she was successful on the third try, so I made it easier for her and praised a lot. She did better on the next couple of curbs. I also worked on her paying attention to me and where I am going. She would get so distracted that she pulled in all directions. I waited for her to align with me and then we'd start walking again. I need to do more leash work with her. I have a new pinch collar for her, so that will help make it easier. I have not been taking her out on leash because of my neck pain. I cannot afford to be pulled suddenly and
injure my neck.

In our new house we do not have very good walking destinations, so my city walks have not been frequent. I used to live right in the University District, on a major arterial.

On scoop topics, I had a long grass experience thatr made me realize I will need to take photos.
(is that too gross?) I don't think I can describe the squiigi effect for long grass without a photo. Thank goodness I had a strong bag for bread rather than my thin nappy sacks. I had to tear the grass off. I need to get a camera that I can carry with me and download easily.