Week 4: Obedience class review

[Amy & Bernie]

I've been reminded that I forgot to post after last week's session! Let me be honest, it may have been select amnesia.

We were warned that at some point during the 10 weeks the dogs will likely have a spell of forgetfulness, where they act like they've learned nothing. Well Bernie, the ever-consistent over-achiever, started last week.

In class his sit-stays and down-stays were wretched! He'd stay for about 5 seconds before attempting to come to me. Our instructor agreed, based on his body language, that he knew better, but was choosing to not follow the rules. We knew this was the case because he'd been doing really well the week prior.

We did a few things different this past week. I suppose he could have been having a bad day last class, so perhaps our efforts were pointless, but we're always willing to set him up for success. So this is what we were diligent:

1. Getting to the dog park or to an open area for play every day. He was used to 3-mile walks before we started the obedience course, before we switched over to training walks, so his activity level took a dive and we're fixing that.

2. Earning everything. We already abide by the "nothing is free" rule with food and treats, but we've been making him sit and stay to even go up the stairs! It's tough because it's a complete routine change.

3. No working the day of class, just play! I'm going to take him to an open area for play today but I'm not going to work him. Last week my husband took him on a training walk about an hour before class - we thought it would prep him, but in hindsight, maybe we exhausted his attention span and by the time we got to class he was mentally checked out?

Also, and as the weather gets nicer others may run into this, we spent the last two weekends with family, out of town. They're all supportive, but I will be the first to say it's hard to balance his training with group activities. We'd go for walks and my husband was almost a block behind us the whole time, being diligent with the corrections and our course's process. It would have been easier on us to give Bernie a "free pass" but we did our best to keep his routine the same. Whew.

So not much to report for last week but we do have a class tonight - I'll let you all know how it goes!

[Amy & Bernie]

When you put it that way Nancy, yes, we've come very far! And if it was a 5 week class we'd be thrilled with the difference. Fortunately (depending how you look at it) it's a 10 week program so our expectations keep increasing =)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Oops, I clicked before I was done.  I am really proud of you and your DH for working so hard with Bernie and even though you think he had a 'bad' week, think back to where he was before you began training.... lots of progress, right?!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Yes, we had some 'surprises' along the way also. It is hard when life intervenes and training time just doesn't happen like you envision.  My husband got sick and Clancy had several weeks when he was not practiced much and in the long run, he was none the worse for it.  I think I over trained with Ned because somehow I kind of lost him along the way and now I am going back to 'fix it.'

[Amy & Bernie]

Thanks so much Jodi, it's been a learning experience for us, but so totally worth it!

[Jodi and Stella]

You are so dedicated Amy! That is awesome.