Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Boot Camp recruit returns home
DerbyDoodle was brought back home today by the amazing trainer (Liz) who runs Markay Dog training facility. I wasn't sure what to expect...I didn't want to raise my expectations to high and then get disappointed. The trainer had great personal recs but I felt DerbyDoodle was a little over the top dominant...she politely explained some of the issues I was having with DerbyDoodle were related to the prong collar...I had it on her incorrectly!! Also Liz felt she was experiencing a correction from me, but no consequence followed....a confusing issue for the dog. My DH said he remembers me correcting her & then petting her after....who requires the training? Maybe I needed boot camp!
Boot Camp sounds like a military facility...it's actually run on Liz's 8 acres in a rural Western suburb of Chicago. She takes up to 4 dogs to train at one time. She has them living in her home and takes them everywhere she goes...shopping, parks, restaurants...it's more like reality training than what we think about boot camp for police dogs etc.
Well, this is all leading to the final results.....TA DAH....DerbyDoodle is a much more improved version of the little pup who left home 2 weeks ago!! Is she a perfect 10? Of course not! BUT an enormous change has taken place....she's calmer, more focused and happily responsive at least for the first day at home..NO dominance issues. I have learned some new things & for both of us.."practice will make perfect". What we all took note of was that DerbyDoodle was more interested in pleasing, responding & performing for me/DH than she ever was before. WOW, and this was only day one! Btw, Liz does all of her training without treats except for the Come command. She has her in a Sit position before she starts a walk, and for that matter practically everything the dog will be asked to do starts from "SIT"
She can do a Down Stay for apprx 15 min now and by Oct 01...she expects her to be able to do 30"
She is on a prong collar now, but also is aiming for Oct to possibly be on a buckle collar. We are planning to be away in a few weeks and DerbyDoodle will return to Camp for one week...luckily, it works out better for DerbyDoodle to be able to sneak in an extra week of training & boarding vs. just a week of a random place to be boarded. So all in all, a great start at home, which actually began 2 weeks ago.....and will continue throughout her life.
Boot Camp sounds like a military facility...it's actually run on Liz's 8 acres in a rural Western suburb of Chicago. She takes up to 4 dogs to train at one time. She has them living in her home and takes them everywhere she goes...shopping, parks, restaurants...it's more like reality training than what we think about boot camp for police dogs etc.
Well, this is all leading to the final results.....TA DAH....DerbyDoodle is a much more improved version of the little pup who left home 2 weeks ago!! Is she a perfect 10? Of course not! BUT an enormous change has taken place....she's calmer, more focused and happily responsive at least for the first day at home..NO dominance issues. I have learned some new things & for both of us.."practice will make perfect". What we all took note of was that DerbyDoodle was more interested in pleasing, responding & performing for me/DH than she ever was before. WOW, and this was only day one! Btw, Liz does all of her training without treats except for the Come command. She has her in a Sit position before she starts a walk, and for that matter practically everything the dog will be asked to do starts from "SIT"
She can do a Down Stay for apprx 15 min now and by Oct 01...she expects her to be able to do 30"
She is on a prong collar now, but also is aiming for Oct to possibly be on a buckle collar. We are planning to be away in a few weeks and DerbyDoodle will return to Camp for one week...luckily, it works out better for DerbyDoodle to be able to sneak in an extra week of training & boarding vs. just a week of a random place to be boarded. So all in all, a great start at home, which actually began 2 weeks ago.....and will continue throughout her life.
Comment
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Comment by Amy Galvin on July 31, 2013 at 7:34pm
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Fantastic boot camp was great for Clara and me toot
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Comment by Kyoko on July 31, 2013 at 7:22pm
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Wow! Good for DerbyDoodle!!
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Comment by a.k.a. Rodney on July 30, 2013 at 12:29pm
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Lonnie, that was the only time she really tried to break the training barrier....when she saw us...but fortunately I asked before how we should greet her..and the answer was happy &.Calmly. As I a.m. Writing this she is laying by my feet while i eat lunch...she used to paw me and be so bothersome I'd HAVETO put her in her crate when I ate. We also noticed a calmness and relaxed doodle that we never saw before. Earlier she was taking a nap by my feet...I never remember her napping unless we left the house. This i suspect was napping cause she always came out of her self imposed visit to her crate when we would return. I'm doing. HAPPY DOODLE MOMMOM DANCE!!
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Comment by Nicky, Riley & Boris on July 30, 2013 at 11:45am
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Good news indeed, sounds like you found a great trainer that you can work with.
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Comment by DJ & Chance on July 30, 2013 at 8:24am
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Congrats!
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Comment by F, Calla & Luca on July 30, 2013 at 8:17am
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That sound terrific.
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Comment by Marnie, Stanlee's Mom on July 30, 2013 at 6:18am
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Wow, this sounds great! I need to look into additional training classes, got a fat lip last night when the dogs greating me coming home from work.
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Comment by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on July 30, 2013 at 4:54am
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Great news!
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Comment by Janie, Jackson and Jilly on July 30, 2013 at 3:49am
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Sounds like a success, I'm glad for you and DerbyDoodle!
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Comment by Bonnie and Kona on July 30, 2013 at 12:30am
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So happy for you and Derby! It sounds like you are on the right track with your little girl.
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