Corrections, and Learning Respect Through Play

Prada and I ran our Elm Street Solo this morning and did beautifully. After the lesson with the occlusion specialist yesterday my handling habits have changed drastically and we travel much more smoothly. Now we have to work on respect. So far my wimpy correcting style is damaging her already lacking level of respect for me so we did a very boring route today--The High School Route, as they call it, 'cause it passes a high school (hm, never wouldda figured that one out, right?)--with no barriers or distractions so we could focus on corrections. When do I hup-up and when do I pfui? Today Shannon walked behind us to be our distraction. That made life a touch on the difficult side but we survived. It was a hard route but I feel like we made progress. More of a 'steady grind up the hill' instead of a leap forward, and the next few will probably be like that, too.  But it's worth it, they tell me. So far they haven't been wrong, so I'm willing to run with it. Later this afternoon we'll have another obedience lesson--possibly occluded during that, as the specialist suggested--and then the specialist said he'd come by and see if we can't figure out why Prada isn't quite as playful as the other shepherds. He said this was causing a slight rift in the bond and she's starting to focus again on Shannon instead of me, so that's what I'll be working on for the next few days.  Gee, I have to play with an adorable puppy!  What hardship!