Stunned

Yup, I am stunned. At Moto. I don't know what "happened" but the past two training days have been nothing short of amazing. Last night at our obedience workshop (it's a 1 hour rental of a building where people with dogs at the open level work, the instructor will walk around and give training suggestions, plus 5 minutes of group heeling and sits and downs) I was simply blown away by his heeling, retrieve over high and retrieve on flat. Even the instructor commented that she's never seen such drive coming from him, and the pick up and returns were simply gorgeous.
I wanted to see if it was a fluke so we worked some utility this morning. All I can say is, those utility signals were the most beautiful I've ever seen from any of my dogs. Nice, crisp signals and an attitude to die for.
Now mind you these weren't 200 performances - there were still a few wides, or a little butt in but it was the ATTITUDE and DRIVE that I am looking for. The rest will come with work.
I believe Moto is blossoming in this new training environment. This is a dog that wants to be right, and when he IS right, he wants to be rewarded. Another thrill is he doesn't seem to care whether he is rewarded with praise - that alone is his "treat".
If this continues, we may enter him in Rally Novice next year. If I can continuously expose him to a show environment to build his confidence (and he can learn Mom being nervous is OK he is still a good boy not to worry) I hope this fantastic attitude will come into the obedience ring. If so, I have one heck of a dog I can be very proud of.