Good Ts, great sweater!

It was Bark int he Park downtown today. I decided to walk the Ts down, though we went very late and despite the website saying activities would take place "all day," things were pretty much over by 11:30.

Nevertheless. They were pretty good, esp. considering that we haven't been leash-walking for a very long time. Yes, they did get out at the end of the leash, but they're getting the idea--they would get out toward the end and I would stop and plant my feet. They, paying no attention to me, would trot on until they hit the end of the leash. Taenzer would then back a step or two, and Timber would turn and come back to me a couple of steps, and I would start walking. Loose leash = forward, tight collar = no forward. They were doing really well by the end of the walk.

They sat at street corners, with prompting, but they did sit and wait for me to give the okay.

There were a lot of people on the square--Homecoming is next weekend and I think it was various groups decorating store windows--and the Ts looked but didn't get freaky. Two not good things--a man very nicely asked if he could pet them, and they got excited, jumped, and barked. *sigh* And I don't really feel any connection between us when we're walking. If I remind them I'm there, they're like "Oh, yeah, hi, Mom, you wanted what?" and they're good about doing what I ask them to do, but I never feel like they're aware of me without being reminded. Mea culpa--it takes training, training, and more training, both to teach them what I want and, more importantly, to build the relationship.

HOWEVER--basically it went well, better than I hoped, so I think my knees will be able to deal and we can do it again--which we'll need to if it keeps raining as it's supposed to do all next week.

And I wore my new sweater. No buttons so I safety-pinned it shut (so declasse!). It's like 42 out, windy, and overcast, and my sweater was SO warm! I'm happy. Now all I need is buttons.