What brings you to this group?

[Adina P]

What brings you to this group? Are you interested in a higher level of obedience, competition, rally, or something else? And why??

My ultimate goal is just solid obedience off lead anywhere, anytime. I think it would be fun to try to get a Companion Dog title in obedience too but don't have the nerve to travel for it...so that may not be a possibility as nearby mixed breed competition is few and far between.

And you?

[Tamara & Giada]

Would just like Giada to have great manners, and would like to hear what others are doing to achieve this.

I am also interested in Giada taking an agility class:)

[Beverley S. LaLonde]

Tamara & Giada,
Your on the right track! Obedience Classes due to socialization is the best place to start. Agility is a blast for both you and the dog. I bought a travel set to practice at home with. The only thing I don't have is the A Frame and bridge at home. It helps to practice between classes. Exercise for both!Bev & Harlee

[Joannie]

What a great idea for a group Audina! I'm in the process of finding a good trainer for Barney.

[Beverley S. LaLonde]

Harlee and I are interested in Agility, Adv. Obedience,I had a Cognac a German Sheperd who was on her 2nd leg CDX when a drunk crossed road and hit her by our rural mail box. Heart breaker! She also had 10 puppies three weeks old. A hard lesson but to this day no matter how well trained a dog is she or he is on a leash by any road or street! That happened in 1965! My goal with Harlee at this point in time is to get a drop on recall from 300 feet across the yard! Bev & Harlee

[Karen & Lucy]

Love the idea for this group. My goal for Lucy and I is to to therapy when I retire, but in the meantime she had gone to obedience and did very very well. I have joined a local dog club in our county and it meets monthly. The director of the club is the very inst. that Lucy had for obedience. She only charges $5/mon. and is continuing training in rally. It is great. Lucy loves it and does very well in that too. I am thinking about entering her in rally just to see how she does.

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

Our ultimate goal is to compete locally in agility trials. Right now we're attending pre-agility classes and an obedience class that is focused on getting our CGC (canine good citizen). Lucy is doing fantastic except for this one itty bitty little practically insignificant problem called JUMPING!! Lord. Trying to keep Lucy from jumping on anyone who comes within 5 feet of her seems impossible. She's just soooooooo friendly. My current instructor has promised that if I do what she says - Lucy will master this behavior. I'll let you know... I am a nurse and am also very interested in Lucy becoming a therapy dog... again.. gotta master the jumping thing.
The reason for the agility is exercise for ME... the reason for the CGC is so she won't be a pest to others.. the reason for the therapy dog is so she will share her love with others.. and the reason we do it all together is that it is great bonding for the two of us, we both enjoy it, it socializes both of us and is an incredible destressor for me. I'm on the verge of having to take medication for high blood pressure at the age of 46.. and I don't wanna!!! Lucy is the best medicine ever... seriously.

[Kathy Janes]

Mater has been in obediance training since he was barely 3 months old, and continues now. He also absolutely adores his agility group! So I thought it would be good to keep up with what others are doing. I never even knew doodles could get their CD! I've taken my purebreds through, but figured AKC was still too stuffy for us "designer dogs"! I'd love to know more about mixed breed trials.

[Adina P]

Kathy, there is a mixed breed dog club of America with chapters in various states. There is also the UKC.
If you look through the comments on this group's main page you'll see references to this--you might also contact our member Lucy R and TJ as they are each involved.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Ultimately I want to do therapy dog work; obedience and CGC is the first step towards that goal. I have done AKC obedience trials when I had English Setters and enjoyed the competition. I had reconciled myself that there would be no trials for my doodle. Then I saw your post about mixed breed trials and hope sprung in my heart. We just started formal Puppy Class today, but have been working with Harlow since she joined our pack in May. She is a quick, eager learner. It is so nice to finally be able to work with a smart dog.

[Kyoko]

My 13 year old Chow Chow did not attend formal obedience class. He has a pretty good disposition, behavior, knows basic command and calm in nature partly because of his breed. But, he used to dart out the house whenever the door was opened, did not like certain types of people in the house, pulled his leash, was never able to enjoy himself off the leash because he would take off !! ( He just does not do these things any more because he is old.)
I am thinking that, Charlie is going to be a fairly large dog. So, I thought It will make easy for us to have relaxed and happy full life together if she learned several command that teaches her a good, healthy and safety purpose manners.
Plus in several years, my kids will be gone off to college and I don't want to be chasing her down the street!!
She is starting "Puppy Kindergaten" on March 7th. I hope all works out well.

[Yvonne, Riley, Murphy and Luca]

I am interested in finding out what others are doing with obedience. I am also interested in finding out about higher levels of classes. I want Riley to be a well behaved dog. One of those amazing well behaved dogs, and I am willing to put in the work to get him to that point.

[fergie11]

I didn't know about this group. This is exactly what I want to learn about. I'll need all the help I can get. I'll be taking the CGC test next month and i need pointers.