Training here we come!

[Lynn Antonoplos]

First I want to thank everyone who commented on the Sturgis' story in my last blog. I would like to respond to each individual post but as of yet have not figured out how to do that. I spend entire days at times on the computer, but still am not a natural and mostly stumble across the way to do things as I go. When I figure out how to respond to comments I will be so glad,,,as of now,,,to all those reading and responding to my posts, once again thank you and I will work on responding individually!! I am glad Sturgis' story touched you.

There seem to be a number of us former Golden Retriever owners here,,,,they truly are the most amazing of dogs! Sturgis, my last Golden was a gem and one of the finest dogs I have ever known, it is wonderful to see that others had similar experiences with their Goldens and that the special part of a Golden, a huge heart and loving nature seems to be passed down in tact to our Doodles.

While I have paid many many thousands of dollars over the years to have trainers work with my horses, I have never taken a dog to training nor attended a single dog obedience class. I got my first dog when I was six years old ( a basset hound) and as I was the only member of the family who wanted or cared about having a dog, the care, feeding and training of the dogs of my childhood was left up to me, (I am sure my mother sees this differently, but that's how I remember it! :)) 

I remember as a child pouring over books put out by the AKC on breed types and puppy training,,, and working for hours to get my dogs to learn to behave ( mostly because the dogs misbehavior got me in trouble as well! many a time the threat of "that damn dog" going to live on a farm was the motivation for teaching a new behavior. ) I have always had well behaved, socially well adjusted dogs. When I was 12 I received an English Springer pup for my birthday (I named him 'Goober',,,what a name choice! I still don't know how that came to be!) I went on to breed Springers for field trial when I was in my 20's. Some time in my late 20's I took care of a friends Golden Retriever for a few months and fell in love. Since then and up until now with my Doodle Bodie I have been a Golden Retriever person.

Other dogs however have been a part of my life as well. While barely a year of my adult life has passed without a Springer or Golden in it, I can be a bit of a two dog gal! I have also had a Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terrier, and two Toy Poodles ( I seem to need a big and small dog at the same time!). I have never had a bad dog! Despite the horror stories of small breeds being hyperactive, yippy, snappish and hard to housebreak, that has never been the case with mine. All have been well behaved easy going dogs I could take almost anywhere (and have!). I do take breed type and personality  into consideration   and don't expect behavior that goes against their nature. For instance I don't allow very young children to play with my toy poodles,,,,while a sporting breed dog will be fine with a 2 year old pulling on the ears and nose or dragging it around by the tail,  that would not work well for most toy breeds. While a sporting breed dog will enjoy a huge crowded back yard barbecue for 8 hours, a toy breed would prefer to meet everyone then retire to a safe crate for most of the party.

Boy, I can digress like nobodies business!! Anyway....long story even longer,,,I have always trained my own dogs and am hoping for a good experience with my first dog trainer. I researched heavily when choosing a trainer and will be driving 45 miles for the classes. I practice Parelli ( natural horse training ) with my horses and needed to find a trainer that was of like mind,,,and I think I have!! Our first class is Thursday night (weather permitting)! I am not as concerned about Bodie's reaction to the class as I am about mine. I do not take direction or guidance well. 

I have for the most part spent my life self employed and have found for the brief periods I have been forced to be employed by others that I am a terrible employee!! I do not like being told what to do and don't tolerate criticism very well. I am hoping I can put aside my natural tendency to rebel against authority in order to make the most of this experience. I met with a dog trainer at Petco when Bodie was going to puppy play class, the first time she corrected me about something was the last time she saw me!! So I am hoping I can put my controlling nature and need to be right  aside and get some real benefits from these classes!!  The trainer is very highly thought of and well respected in her field so I think it will work out. I don't have a big problem taking direction from people in whom I have respect,,,I just don't have much tolerance for the mediocre!!

Well if you have read this,,,you now know more about me than you or I would like you to!! But I am a free writer and rambler and must live with whatever I have spouted off about!! 

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Good luck and have fun!  Your doodle will love you for what you are doing!! 

[Miss Ellie]

Wishing you well with your impending dog trainer...hope you find a good fit for both Bodie & yourself...Good Luck!

[Kirsty Coates]

8 dogs and horses throughout your life!! You are an animal person! Good luck with class, I'll be praying!