Obedience School - Grade One

[Sandy]

So....tonight was our first class in Grade One obedience. Previously we went to Head Start Puppy classes. Toby is now 7 months old, very strong, and about 55 pounds or so. I am the principle trainer, as I am smaller than my hubby, and Toby needs to obey me. My husband sat on the sidelines and watched, and assured me that Toby didn't do a worse job than any of the other dogs, but being in the thick of things, I beg to differ. Here are some of the things we "learned", and Toby's (in)appropriate responses to them.

Come - means to ignore your owner and try to haul her across the floor to greet another dog.

Name Recognition (Toby!) - look at your owner only if she's offering a treat

Sit Politely - place your butt hesitantly on the ground until you get your treat, then bounce up

Play, Settle - actually - Toby did really well at this one. I have nothing derogatory to say. :)


There was more, but suffice it to say that I am very tired, my arms are sore, and Toby better behave better next week. One of the trainers loaned me a Gentle Leader for the night!! He was all about trying to get treats other dogs dropped, goofing off, and ignoring me. I have been assured that the class did amazingly well for the first night, and that after our 8 classes, we will be amazed at the change. Let's just say - go ahead, amaze me!!

Anyone else out there start out rough at Obedience School, and end up with a magnificent dog?

Off to rest my weary bones....

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

Me! Me! Me! Lucy was all over everyone.. jumping.. jumping.. as I pulled and pulled.. said "No".. "Off".. stop and a lot of "I'm sorry".. "excuse me".. LOL but we practiced and practiced.. we had lots of fun.. and in the end Lucy got her Canine Good Citizen's award! So hang in there, practice, have loads of FUN (if it's not fun for you then in won't be fun for Toby) and in the end you'll have a well behaved dog. Good luck!

[Stella]

We did!!! Apart from the odd transgression when meeting other dogs for the first time, which your husband had first hand experience of, but he is better now than he was then - honest!! Hartley is the class clown and seems to spend most of the time goofing around, trying to eat treats off the floor or charging off to play with anyone else that is interested (particularly in the off leash class!!). But, he always seems to come good at the end of the course, as if he knows when he has to start taking it seriously. I was actually considering not even taking him for the exam at the off leash class (level 3) because he was so bad. But, he did it and came second in the class!! Just keep practicing, it will pay off in the end.

[Kathy (Ellie & Oliver)]

OMG Sandy! I got a fat lip about two months ago. I was bending down to hug Oliver and we collided. Then two weeks, ago my brother-in-law was over and when I turned around I saw him sitting on the ground. Here our doodle jumped on him and hit him in the teeth. He was so surprised he fell down. Thank goodness he wasn't hurt. I was mortified!!!! You always have to be expecting the unexpected!! There never is a dull moment! Put some ice on your lip and enjoy the rest of the day! Kathy (Ellie & Oliver)

[Sandy]

P.S. This morning I was working on "Look at me" and got a fat lip. He jumped up and konked me one. Look at me means from where you're sitting Toby, not in my face!!

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

OH OH OH and all remember one small thingy..ask your trainers when pups get to be about 7 months to a year old they all go through this "I'm stupid stage", "Did you teach me that, No way", and than all of a sudden it's like they wake up again and "Oh I knew that, I was just testing you to see if you did"...lol

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

My problems are just the opposite with Hannah, she was great with obedience classes, but than got bored. We are trying agility now and still has her moments of going into the tunnel and I get to the end before she does and wonder if she is taking a nap in there, sometimes on jumps she will just step over them to amuse me as to say I did it! I think sometimes I would much rather have the energetic dog to train than trying to get one interested. Even food does not motivate her enough, she hates hot dogs, loves bacon though..lol, toys do not excite her, she is so laid back, but tell her she can play, and ya think the Heavens opened up. Always remember the three P's, Practice, Patience, and lots of Praise. Good luck and hope to read more about your training experiences. Denise, HannahNHoney

[Kim Williams]

Sandy,
Your post is hilarious!! You made my night. Yes, I remember those days. I agree with Kathy that a pinch collar really helps. I remember one night, the trainer had to give me a water bottle to spray Parris because she was misbehaving so much. All your hard work will pay off. I hope you keep posting your progress!!

[Kathy (Ellie & Oliver)]

I hear you!!!!! Welcome to the world of the teenage doodle! That sounds exactly like our Ellie when she was taking obedience classes with my husband. My husband started the training classes because he was going to be home with her during the day. I'm the one who sat on the sidelines and felt so sorry for him. It was embarrassing. Ellie did not do that well by the end of the class. The teachers suggested that Ellie repeat the class. We thought that maybe she should mature a bit before taking anoher class. That was the BIGGEST
MISTAKE that we could
of made. We should of enrolled her again and worked through this stage. Training classes provide socialization, discipline, and sequence of skills. We did not make that mistake with our second doodle. He has been in training classes since he was 12 weeks old. Oliver is now 20 months old. Classes also make me practice with them. It makes me accountable to get them ready for our next lesson. I probably will always have our dogs involved in some type of training. There are a variety of classes to choose from. If your training classes allow prong collars, try one. If used correctly, it is like having power steering on your dog. Good luck!
Kathy (Ellie & Oliver)