Welcome Sara and Panda! Sidney and I have also started Rally. It's amazing how quickly these little guys learn! I look forward to our first competition.

I'm wondering how we'll do at our first competition too! Do you have a place you could take Panda where there are people and other dogs? When we walk in our neighborhood, SIdney used to react when a dog in a yard would rush the fence and bark at us. He would get all Cujo on them, pulling the leash and barking back. I've used positive reinforcement (praise and a treat) to teach him to "leave it" or "ignore" when another dog gives him attitude. (not applicable when the dog is loose and comes after us of course!). He is now really good at ignoring another dog causing a fuss and even gives me the corgi stare when we pass a house with a barky dog, until I remember to praise him for a job well done! I'm hoping these lessons will keep him focused on me in the competition ring.

There is a thing out there called the yellow ribbon project. Dogs that need space...whether for training, being fearful, recovering, etc...have a yellow ribbon attached to their leash. This is supposed to let other dog owners know to keep their dogs back. I've considered putting one on Sid's leash but he only needs space around big dogs.

Ace is from Pynewoode, yes. :-)

Awww, Panda is so cute, Panda and Lance look like they could be related.