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Post by Nadia on Mar 4, 2020 19:58:10 GMT -6
Nadia was fine with that. The main point of the exercise had been achieved, and that was to show Hael what was expected when the command was given - all that was left was to test it out, and repeat if there were any weaknesses. Plus, there was no feasible way to keep a puppy from wandering off unless she tied her down. "Hael!" The houluh turned her head back to her - good, it was getting her attention effectively - and the woman smiled. "Very good. Sit, Hael." As if by reflex, her back end wobbled, expecting the pressure. When it didn't come, she was confused and hesitated. "That's right, sit! Good girl!" Nadia called. "Sit!" The moment Hael's backside touched the grass, Nadia rushed over to coo her praise and offer copious amounts of petting. No matter how sick Hael was of being pushed around, she couldn't resist the siren call of attention. (Hael - 5/5 Nadia - 5/10 Sit, 5)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 4, 2020 20:09:19 GMT -6
With 'sit' settled and filed away for the moment, Nadia could begin on something else. There was a logical progression, so she thought she would go along that path; plus, it would require no manhandling, which Hael would no doubt be thankful for. She moved over to sit opposite the puppy again, who had taken up interest in nosing at the dirt once more. As long as no worms were found, there was no problem. "Okay, I think you will find this one rather simple," She said as she reached in for another piece of jerky. "Follow my lead, okay? Let us begin. Sit, Hael." Though shaky about it, the houluh plopped down with enough encouragement. Nadia then held the jerky in front of her snout, issuing a firm 'no' should she try to take it prematurely. She guided it down towards the ground, with the hopes that the puppy would follow with her whole body. "Lay down, Hael. Lay down." (Hael - 1/5 Nadia - 6/10 Lay Down, 1)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 4, 2020 20:13:47 GMT -6
Hael didn't know what to make of it. Yes, she wanted that jerky, but didn't quite know what Nadia was getting at - she pawed at her hand and let out a plaintive whine in the hopes that she would give in and hand her the treat. "Like this. Lay down, Hael." Nadia rapped her knuckles against the ground, pressing her hand as low as she could so that Hael would be forced to crouch if she wished to grab the jerky. "Lay down." The houluh was puzzled. Once again, she pawed at it, and shoved her muzzle against Nadia's hand, but to no avail. Hmm. "Just a tad lower, darling," Nadia said. When Hael moved to get up from her seated position, she clicked her tongue. "No, no. Sit, Hael." Why should she sit if she wasn't going to get the jerky? It wasn't fair! She barked her frustration for all to hear. (Hael - 2/5 Nadia - 7/10 Lay Down, 2)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 4, 2020 20:17:11 GMT -6
Nadia tried not to smile, but found she couldn't help it. Hael was adorable. Not willing to give into the frustration, though, she lifted her hand to hold it in front of the pup's nose once more, letting her get a good sniff of the jerky. "Yes, yes," She praised as Hael leaned in close. "Now, lay down. Lay down." The words didn't mean anything yet, but the action was beginning to take shape. From her sitting position, the houluh couldn't reach the jerky, but maybe if she lowered herself... her paws scrabbled against the dirt as she slid, and she was almost in a full lay when she lost her nerve and shot back up. "Almost! That was a very good try, Hael," Nadia reassured her with a scratch behind the ears. "You will get it. Very close, we are almost there." All it woud take was confidence and trust. They were getting there! (Hael - 3/5 Nadia - 8/10 Lay Down, 3)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 4, 2020 20:26:17 GMT -6
Nadia was patient with her creatures, even if she wasn't with people. Once again, she raised the jerky to the puppy's eye level, then slowly brought it down towards the ground, allowing her to follow it as it went. "Yes, good," She said. "Lay down. Almost there, Hael. Lay down." Hael's little feet scooted along the floor as she leaned further and further down, until at last, her belly was flat on the floor and she was prone as Nadia wanted her to be. With a sound of contentment, the woman relinquished the jerky to her and patted her head while she gobbled it down. "Good girl! Very good, Hael!" Now the trick was repetition to make sure it was clear to her. The most boring part, but the most essential to ensure long term remembrance. "Okay, up you come. Sit, girl." It was near impossible to resist squishing the pup's sweet face between her hands. (Hael - 4/5 Nadia - 9/10 Lay Down, 4)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 4, 2020 20:35:42 GMT -6
Now for the moments she enjoyed least. Nadia didn't like to trick the pup, but it was necessary for the motivation to begin with. She acted as if she reached into the jerky box, and withdrew her hand as a closed fist, giving Hael the impression there was something grasped within it. "Lay down, Hael." Once again, the downwards motion near her nose. Expecting jerky for her compliance, the houluh went down with greater enthusiasm than before. "Yes, good! Good girl!" When the hand opened for pets instead of treats, Hael was disappointed... but ear scritches were acceptable, she supposed! This lady wasn't so bad. Finally, with no guidance. Nadia scooted backwards a little and folded her hands in her lap - Hael sat opposite her and cocked her head to the side, confused as to why she had moved away. "Lay down, Hael. You can do it." Her encouragement upon seeing the pup hesitate seemed beneficial. Cautiously, but surely, Hael laid down. "Oh, marvellous! You are a clever little soul!" (Hael - 5/5 Nadia - 10/10 Lay Down, 5)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 10, 2020 17:31:11 GMT -6
Next up on the agenda was ‘stay’. This was one she had experience with, though had never been particularly great at it - Nadia was hoping that the previously taught commands would help with the learning process. “Okay, here we go,” She said as she got to her feet, dusting her hands off on her jacket. Slowly, she began to take a few steps backward. Distracted by the grass tickling her nose, Hael was none the wiser at first, but as the distance grew, she began to get antsy. “Stay. Stay, Hael.” It was another new word that she hadn’t heard before. The puppy’s head cocked, and she stayed there on her belly for a short time, until the urge to chase after Nadia was too great. Springy on her little legs, she tumbled towards the woman. It was impossible not to smile at her enthusiasm. “That’s alright. We have to work on it.” (Hael - 1/5 Nadia - 1/10 Stay, 1)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 10, 2020 17:34:56 GMT -6
Nadia leaned down to fluff Hael’s ears, kissing the tip of her nose, and then straightened up once more, ready to continue with her lesson. It was hard work for a young puppy, but she’d been doing marvellously thus far. “Sit, Hael,” She said, and the puppy complied with haste. “Good. Now, stay.” She began to back up once more, taking tiny steps to get Hael accustomed to the distance. The houluh was watching her closely. Why was she walking away? She wasn’t going to leave her here, was she?! Her tail wagged, and she made a start to move forward. “No! No,” Nadia called. Hael was confused. What was she doing wrong? Her faltering paw returned to the floor. “Good. Stay, Hael. That is very good.” A few more steps was all the puppy could take without ignoring the ‘no’ command, and she bounded forward to meet Nadia again. That was okay. Bit by bit, there was improvement. (Hael - 2/5 Nadia - 2/10 Stay, 2)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 10, 2020 20:16:40 GMT -6
Nadia gave her a pat and some gentle words for her short period of success. It must be hard for her; she was just a puppy, and she obviously wanted to run and play, not sit still and wait on command. Still, it had to be done, and sooner rather than later. "Sit, Hael," She said, and the houluh whined. "No, do not look at me like that. I know, you may be bored, but you are doing excellently. Sit, please." So she did. Nadia decided she'd take a chance on walking a little faster to cover more ground this time. She was almost halfway along their plot of land before Hael began to get visibly antsy, which was a great thing! Slow and steady would win the race when helping a creature understand. "Stay," She repeated when she saw the eager look on Hael's face. Then, after holding it for a moment, she walked back to offer the puppy some jerky. "Excellent! Good stay!" (Hael - 3/5 Nadia - 3/10 Stay, 3)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 10, 2020 20:27:20 GMT -6
Though it was difficult and against her nature, Hael was being a trooper with this trick. Nadia looked at her fondly as she chewed up her jerky, and gave her an extra scritch behind the ears for good measure. Now would be a more immersive test - she intended to turn her back on the puppy to see if she still heeded the command. "Stay, Hael," She said, still facing her. Then, she turned around and began to pace along the field. "Stay. Good girl. Stay." Hael did not want to stay. She wanted to race after the woman and get more treats! Her front paws tip-tapped on the ground, and she took a few steps forward. When Nadia cast a glance back over her shoulders and caught the houluh, she clicked her tongue. "No! Stay," She said firmly. "Stay, Hael." Well, fine! With a miserable little whine, the puppy sat down. (Hael - 4/5 Nadia - 4/10 Stay, 4)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 10, 2020 20:30:33 GMT -6
All things considered, Nadia was impressed by how well things were going. Especially since Hael was visibly unhappy with what she was being asked to do. The Houluh was doing it nevertheless, and that was the best thing about it. Could she make it all the way to the opposite end of the plot without Hael breaking her stay? It was worth a shot. Even if she did have a wobble or two, they had plenty of time to work on it and reinforce the command. So, she set out towards the fence, keeping an eye on the puppy as she went. "Stay. Stay." Hael sat, and stayed. Her paws danced occasionally, belying her desire to bound after her human, but she was trying to contain herself. Maybe there was some jerky in it for her? When Nadia finally reached out and touched the fence post at the other end, she beamed, and hurried back across to the waiting houluh. "Very good! Very good, Hael!" (Hael - 5/5 Nadia - 5/10 Stay, 5)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 10, 2020 20:34:04 GMT -6
With 'stay' mastered to a satisfactory level, Nadia got the impression that 'come' would be a doozy. It would require bribery at first, and relied on being able to hold the puppy's attention, but she was feeling positive about the endeavour! "Okay, stay, Hael," She said as she moved a few feet away. Hael sat where she had been put, wagging her little tail. "Very good. Now, let's see..." Some jerky would do the trick. She pulled a strip from her box and made sure that her puppy could see it - and even if she couldn't, she could certainly smell it, because her nose was already wiggling. A treat! Oh, it was so hard to sit still and do what she was told when there was a yummy on offer! "Hael, come!" Nadia called. To encourage Hael, she waved the piece of jerky at knee level, where it would be easy for her to grab. "Come!" (Hael - 1/5 Nadia - 6/10 Come, 1)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 10, 2020 20:37:54 GMT -6
Hael was understandably confused by what Nadia wanted. Hadn't she been supposed to sit and not move before? It didn't make sense that she wanted her to come all of a sudden... she made a whine and pawed uncertainly at the ground, seeking guidance. "Oh, it's okay! Come, come," Nadia said sweetly, patting her knee with her free hand to coax the puppy. "This is for you. Come, Hael." Okay... it was a bit scary, but Hael gave into the temptation of food and trotted over. It was crunched up at record speeds once she had gotten it from the woman's hand. Mmm, jerky was the best reward in the world! "Very good, Hael, very good," Nadia cooed, soothing a hand down the puppy's back. "A little confusing, but you will get the hang of it. Are you ready to try again?" None the wiser, the houluh stared up at her, a string of drool dangling from the corner of her mouth. (Hael - 2/5 Nadia - 7/10 Come, 2)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 10, 2020 20:41:27 GMT -6
Well, she would take that as a yes. With the stay command in place once more, Nadia went out a little further to test the boundaries - to her delight, Hael patiently waited where she had been put, watching the woman the whole time. Good. It was progress, and practice for the prior command. "Here we go. What is this, Hael?" A smaller piece of treat was procured this time, just enough to get the houluh's interest piqued. "Come. Come, Hael!" Less hesitation this time. Knowing that there was a reward at the end of it, Hael bounded over with her tail whipping from side to side. It was lucky the pup was so food motivated, or they'd be in a sticky situation! Nadia made a mental note to make sure they did plenty of exercise to make up for the frequent feeding. "Very good, very good! Now, you are not going to like me for the next part..." (Hael - 3/5 Nadia - 8/10 Come, 3)
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Post by Nadia on Mar 10, 2020 20:45:23 GMT -6
They would have to cut out the rewards at some point. Hael couldn't be expecting compensation every time she followed an instruction, as much as Nadia wanted to spoil her. It was only right for her to learn that there was not always an instant gratification. She gave the puppy a pat before making her way across the field again, further away this time. "Come, Hael!" She called, but with no jerky or hand motion to be seen. "Come!" The houluh was less excited. There wasn't anything to motivate her... she was hoping there would be some jerky visible. Still, there might be some if she made her way over there! Not as quickly as she had before, but she got there in the end, sniffing around Nadia's ankles in case it had been dropped. "Good girl! Good come," The woman cooed, stroking over her silky ears. "I know, no jerky." (Hael - 4/5 Nadia - 9/10 Come, 4)
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