Week 5: Obedience class review

[Amy & Bernie]

Much better this week. Audible sigh of relief.

Bernie held his sit-stays and his down-stays in class. For 3 minutes each! This was a major deal. As a number of Doodle owners know, they can be a very social breed.

It's been tough for Bernie to adjust to being in a confined space with other dogs and having ZERO play time, and even more difficult, sniffing or even paying attention to other dogs is discouraged. Although I will admit it's made walks easier, Bern's MUCH less interested in dogs and people that saunter by - bonus!

And we're lucky the instructor uses Bernie to demonstrate. She may do it just to change it up, out of 13 dogs tonight there were 11 German Shepherds (one is the instructors), a Weimaraner and Bern. Ha!

But in all seriousness, if you take a class, and respect your instructor, don't be too shy to ask them to show you how to do something with your dog. I've learned so much in regards to technique, proper correction, etc. by getting to watch someone who knows what they're doing handle him.

I think it sets us up for fewer mistakes while practicing during the week - my husband and I go back and forth "that's not how she did it in class!" We're like competitive children.

This week it's mostly more of the same, but obviously the expectations are higher, halt and sits are quicker, stays are longer, etc.

Not introducing new material means he knows everything we'll be practicing this week. Not doing what's expected means he's making wrong choices. This week it will be imperative to not let him get away with a thing! As a furparent it's hard to be tough on them. Tough in regards to holding them to the standards they're capable of maintaining. But high expectations come with tons of praise for every little thing he does right, it's a win-win =)

[Amy & Bernie]

Thanks so much Julie! We are learning SO much, and we considered ourselves pretty dog savvy - until we figured out we weren't! The best part is that we're learning how to teach and correct in ways that make sense to Bernie, not in ways that pander to human sensibility =)

[Julie and Maggie]

This is a great blog. I just caught up reading it all. Gives me so much to consider and think about for the future. Thanks!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

So happy for you-wow Bernie's showing up the German Sheps????? Good luck next week!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

3 minute down-stays are a big deal!! You are doing a great job. We just finished a CGC course with Peri - even at 2 years old, she was hard to get focused.
Keep it up!