The training continues!

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

Last night we had our 3rd Puppy K class. We worked on down, getting the dogs into a heel position and patience drills to prepare for stay. Last week we worked on sit (Malu has been doing this since he was 8 weeks old) luring with treats and "grab 'ems" where you pull the puppies out of play by their collar and treat them, then let them go back to playing. This way they learn that getting grabbed by the collar doesn't always mean going in the kennel, having playmates taken away, etc.

Malu is the only dog in class that lies down without having to be lured there. He is SO fancy! He was also pretty quick at picking up the heel position with his toes pointed perfectly straight and forward in the same direction as my feet. He is very adept at patience drills in the sit position, as we have worked on this at home for a while before this class. None of this should be surprising to me and yet I am still amazed at how quickly he picks things up. Our instructor, Shannon, thinks that I should start advancing him into more challenging stuff, for example, only treating the fastest sits. So just offer praise and petting for a slower response, but a snack for a really quick one. She practiced this with him twice and then after that for the rest of class he was sitting really fast. Such a smart doodle!

Now the question is.......if he can learn all these commands soooooo quickly, why can't he learn not to counter surf, put front paws on people, and run away with dirty laundry in three tries or less?? LOL!!!!

In relation to counter surfing, he now likes to put paws on bathroom counter in the morning/evening and bark at the strange Doodle from the alternate universe. And the Alt Universe Doodle barks back. Then they just keep barking at each other. Silly Doodles.

[Christine & Shelby]

No Doubt.... Shelby and Malu have this in common (can't figure out that Counter surfing is bad). Shelby says she hopes Malu can come play soon! She hopes to see him one more time before he is taller than she is ;o)

[Kyoko]

I am sooo proud of Malu!!! Sounds like a great trainer, too!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Sounds like a great class, and Malu is a star! I love it when our Doodles shine like this. I think it's hysterical that he's barking at the "Doodle in the Mirror".

[Camilla and Darwin]

LOL, alternate universe doodle. I also would like to a see a photo of that. Sounds like Malu is a smart one!

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

Yes, I thought about that this morning. Must film and upload.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's wonderful to hear that Malu is doing so well in his class! You're both doing a great job!
I'd love to see a video of Malu and the Alternate Universe Doodle having a conversation!