Despite being tired from long days of learning about and handling dogs, the excitement level was palpable. The anticipation of knowing what dog they will be working with for the weekend kept everyone looking forward to the afternoon. 
But there is much to learn, so the morning was spent honing the skills and commands they've learned up to now. Each person ran a couple of the dogs through the paces of the agility/obstacle course. 
With every passing day, confidence is building and their ability to get the dog they are working to respond to them is witnessed. 
Some of the dogs are much more comfortable doing the slide or tunnel, while others need a bit more coaxing, so it's equally important to "tune into" the dog you are working with at the time. Not only do breeds have their differences, but just like people, they all have their own unique personality. 
Although time may have seemed to pass slower than a herd of snails traveling through peanut butter, eventually the time to reveal which dog they would be working over the weekend came to pass. To say everyone was happy with their placements would be a huge understatement as being evidenced by the smiles you see here. 
It is important to note that the dog placements are not guaranteed until graduation. Changes in placement are a possibility, so please don't jump to conclusions. 
The late afternoon brought more practice and participants were taught how to load and unload the dogs from their vehicles. Safety to both the dogs and their handlers is of utmost importance.
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