Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks, or bounce a question off the group.

I tried a couple new things with Eddie this week, but I think I've given up on both. Too off the wall, and I was confusing him.

In nosework, I tried tossing out about 20 plastic eggs, with just one having an odor in it. Eddie loves the challenge and frantically sniffs all the eggs, but the game confuses him. He'll occasionally just start batting at random eggs and looking to me to see if he's right.

I also tried giving him a hand signal for one trick (limp) and vocally telling him to do something else. I thought it would be a funny variation on his tricks during his therapy dog visits. I could tell kids that he's telling me he's hurt and doesn't want to do the trick.

He does what I want him to do -- he watches the hand signal and limps, but when I say "speak" or "sit", etc., I can tell he's getting confused. I don't think the laugh is worth the risk of confusing him.

Jillie's still loving nosework. I've got from having her search for just treats to searching for a box with treats and the odor in it. Eventually, I'll pull out the treat and see if she stops for the odor alone. Her "alert" isn't as good as Eddie's so far. He scratches at the odor. She just looks to me, but hopefully she'll settle on a better alert as she figures out the game.

What's up with your pack?