I’ve finally collected enough data to begin to compile a spreadsheet with which to try to interpret it. Now the fun begins…not. That statistics course I took was an okay overall summary of means and medians and variance and standard deviation, but trying to use it to make my data make sense is a real challenge…and not just for me. This seems to be the consensus among the entire group. So when I approached my mentor with my inability to grasp the technique, I fell in love–he didn’t expect us to know coming in, but would definitely make sure we did before we left. I am SO glad he picked me to mentor! You know that dance that Snoopy does? I was about to get up and do it!
The spreadsheet is done and I’ve emailed him a copy. So off to the library lawn I go to get my semiweekly doggie fix. There was a ton of them out there today, too! I got to give some of them treats, but they all had to work for it. Some could sit, some could dance, one could shake “hands” and one could get her nose into my bag while I wasn’t looking! Smart dogs! There were puppies and seniors and shepherds and heelers and mixes and purebreeds…all of them running and playing and sometimes getting into scraps, but usually having a good time. I even got a chance to do a little training. One border collie had a tendency to jump up on people, so I suggested a way that the owner could work with her to train her not to do this. I also showed him how to teach her “off”, the word most often used with my dogs. “Off” does not necessarily mean to get down off of the couch, it merely means stop what you’re doing–counter surfing, sniffing crotches, preparing to jump another dog, etc. A good word to have in the vocabulary…some use the phrase “leave it”. “Off” is quicker. I also taught a 3-month-old lab/akita mix “down”. Her owner could not believe how fast something like that could be taught, but when a dog is food-motivated, it’s amazing how quickly they catch on to whatever will get them the treat. Makes training them so much fun! And makes you look like you know what you’re doing!
I do know what I’m doing right now – I’m calling it a day and preparing to turn in for the night. Last night’s sleep was interrupted by another line of storms moving through, so I wasn’t well rested this morning, but tomorrow I plan on being bright eyed and… well, bright eyed, anyway.