First time obedience adventures with a conformation trained dog and handler.

On our walk this evening Merlin was a rock star while practicing some of our obedience class maneuvers. Thought I would expose him to some of the outside distractions to see what happened. While he lost focus of me by looking at the cars coming in he maintained his sit most of the time. When he did get up I was able to get him back very quickly and after about the second time he realized that a continued stay meant more cookies (yay!). And on our walk back to the apartment the neighbors Boston was out. Merlin of course perked up as it was the second encounter with neighbors dogs that evening and it was a little dog. If you've ever met Merlin you know that he LOVES other dogs and goes absolutely bananas if he sees little dogs. The first encounter wasn't particularly close to us but he could easily see some other dogs greeting and beginning the posturing dance. Nothing evil, just checking each other out. Merlin wanted to try to join but a quick leave it and there was peace at the end of his leash. The encounter with the Boston was much closer and a truer test as we had to walk by him. He definitely wanted to play with him and the Boston went flat to the ground in his own playful gesture. I told Merlin to leave it and he really did without argument. Normally he'd be play bowing, jumping up, desperate to play with the little guy. Success! Guess maybe at 9, he's decided it's time to grow up. Love.