McGee's first class.

[Donnie]

We are in the Manners Matter class at our facility.  It's a basic obedience class geared to dogs 12-24 months old.  We got some big class mates too, out of 9 dogs, there were only 2 or 3 dogs smaller than 70 lb. McGee!  There's a German Shepherd, Lab, some kind of little herder, a mix, a Collie, 2 pretty jet black Great Danes, and an English Mastiff/Great Pyrenees mix that is beautiful (he's about 80 lbs at 9 months, he may be over 100 by the time this class is over in 5 more weeks!).

 

We started sitting in a circle with the instructor going over basic stuff, just to give the dogs time to calm down.  We've got a couple that will growl and bark if you get too close to them, the rest are pretty cool, then there's McGee, who spent most of the time trying to get to his 9 newest friends, or anybody else that happened to walk by.

 

When we got up and started working with the dogs we started with sit and he did ok, that's the one thing he can do somewhat consistently.  Then we did name recognition and paying attention to me when I call his name.  He did ok considering he HAD to keep an eye on all his new buddies.  The last thing we worked on was holding their attention for a 5 count before treating them.  This went not so well.  By this time he was spending about half his time on two legs straining to go visit somebody, and barking at them. He couldn't have cared less what treats I had, he wasn't gonna look at me.  I'm surprised he did 'sit' as well as he did and that he looked at me over half the times I said his name, so I'm calling that my silver lining.

 

Next week: loose leash walking.  Yikes.

 

One thing that kind of bothered me tho was when he got to meet two dogs.  He got nose to nose with each one (this was at different times), they sniffed each other for a bit, then McGee barked and snapped at the other dogs!  I don't think there was any aggression behind it, he just doesn't know how to play or interact with other dogs cause I've not socialized him very well (or at all, sheesh).  He'll get put in his place at some point, and he should, this just happened to be the 2 mildest mannered dogs he did it to so I felt bad.

[Becca & Lucy]

I bet you will end up loving it! Sounds a lot like Lucy's Manners I class. The first week was kinda crazy. The second week was MUCH calmer for everyone. The whole group really ended up enjoying each other. We had one border collie that made sure to let the great dane know he was not thrilled with him. (the great dane could have cared less! ha!) I found that gentle leader harness has really helped us with loose lead walking. I also got the lead to go around my waist so that I could treat easier. That has helped a ton. I hope you enjoy your class! :) Your boy is very handsome :)

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Sounds like Roo when he was young!  Meeting every canine and human was way more important than any agenda I had in mind for him.  Tigger was always the "star".  The funny thing is Roo is now much better at his learned behaviors than Tigger.  Roo is really good on long waits and recall.  Tigger basically looks at me to let me know he heard me and does what he wants to anyway.  Keep at it, it will be worth it.  Don't feel bad about not socializing causing Mcgee's on agressive meet and greet leash behavior.  Many dogs behave very differently to other dogs when not leashed, usually they are more agressive.

 

My rule is no nose to nose, or nose to butt, when on leash.   Both Roo and Tigger have very nice dog park manners, but I still do not let them "meet" other dogs on a leash.  They must sit, down or stand quietly when on a leash, while I chat. Except for very experienced dog people, the signals that pass between two leashed dogs can be very hard to detect and it is hard to tell who is the agreesor and who is the responder.  Leashed dogs have much less ability to send "not interested" signals to other dogs and often feel they need to protect their owner.  Dogs off leash at a dog park usually feel little or less need to protect their owner.  Except, of course, for those silly owners who come everday, sit in the same spot for hours, and establish a territory for themselves and their dogs.   

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think the first session of any class is tough, especially if this is your dog's first time to be exposed to that situation.  The fact that you were able to get him to sit and focus on you is a great start.  I agree with Maryann about having dogs meet each other on leash.  That worries me, and I don't let either of my dogs do it unless it's another dog that we know very well.  Good luck with the loose leash walking!  Let us know how it goes.

[Donnie]

Thanks, no more meet and greets on leash then.  I guess I didn't realize it would even be an issue cause he's such a happy-go-lucky goofball all the time.

 

They kept the Great Danes on opposite sides of the room so they wouldn't be a distraction to each other.  One of the other dogs barked at one of the Danes and most of the dogs paid no attention, but I saw the other Dane, who was across the room, ears perked up and looked over at them.  Yeah, they know what's going on, especially with their buddies! :)

 

Oh yeah, I'm gonna have to trim McGee up too.  Part of our work is getting eye contact when we say their name.  Guess I've gotta be able to see his eyes to know if he's looking at me!  But I love that shaggy dog look too. :(

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

One of the best things about training is that you are going to learn just as much if not more than McGee!  You might try upping the quality of the treats.  Get something really special and really yummy that he only gets during training that he cannot resist.  Something like pieces of cut up hot dog or cheese, or some sort of jerky.  Just test him with a few different things to see which are his favorite.