Week 17 - Quella learns to 'leave it'

I am continuing to do obedience training with Quella. This week I have been teaching her to 'leave it', which is important for when there is our food within her reach. I do this by placing a treat on my open hand a few inches away from her face, and repeat the word 'leave it', when she attempts to take it. Without moving my hand away I very quickly close it, and she naturally paws at my hand but I keep it closed until she moves away. Then I open my hand, and repeat the words 'leave it' again, and after a short while she gets a bit fed up and does not attempt to take it. Then in a higher pitched voice I say 'take it', to which she very quickly obliges. I only did this for short spells, and repeated it the next day, by which time the penny had dropped, and she had learned to leave it when asked to do so, my clever little girlie.
Quella has lost her playmate this week, as Maya has been spayed, in preparation for her going in for specialised training at the Guide Dog Training centre. I therefore need to keep her quiet and have kept them separate, until evening times when I am watching T.V. and can keep a careful watch over them. The spay wound has a dressing on it this time, so not as exposed. I keep a cone collar on her just to make sure she cannot lick or bite at the wound, and I have managed to find a nice soft one for her, which is a lot more comfortable, as they bump into everything with the rigid ones. 

I would like to say a big thank you to the people who take the time to read my 'Puppy Walker Diary' and to the people that have posted lovely comments, you are very kind.
Amanda, I hope my Quella turns out to be a wonderful Guide Dog, just like your Quella.
Claire, good luck also to your Guide Dog Puppy Quella.
Diane, sorry I am nowhere near Brighton, I am in Flintshire, just into the North Wales border.
Nigel, I have listed Quella's 'family' in week 9 of my puppy walker diary.