4H Obedience class graduation

[Jennifer Tramell]

If anyone remembers, about 2 months ago I posted with fears about the 4H Obedience Class in which we had enrolled our 11 yr old Julianna (human girl)  and 7 month old Charlotte ( goldendoodle girl).  The trainer seemed gruff and inaccustomed (sp?) to dealing with children/parents/4H and I was seriously considering dropping out of the class.

 

Well, Julianna and Charlotte did great - 4th place in the obedience, 2nd place in sit/stay (Charlotte finally lay down which broke the sit - but she never left the stay), and 1st place in the written exam (Charlotte didn't do the written exam - she hasn't learned to write neat enough for strangers to read). There were 30 kids total but 10-13 kids (varied some weeks) in Julianna's 5th grade group.

 

The trainer ended the evening by telling everyone that the first 2 weeks were absolute chaos (34 kids/dogs enrolled, 30 graduating) and that she was VERY impressed with the progress that had been made.  She told the kids that she was so proud of all their work and couldn't believe how they had progressed in just 6 weeks training.  The trainers were so proud that they wanted to get each child a medal but, since it was such a large class, they decided to get 4 mini trophies for the children and dogs who had most improved - this was not from 4H but from the trainers personally.  So....the class began 7 weeks ago with the trainer throwing her arms and saying "WHAT are you all doing?!?!? You CAN'T all do your OWN thing?!?!?" and ended with her (and her 2 assistants) personally buying trophies for the kids.

 

Thank you DKers for preventing me from freaking out because of the pinch collar and other of the trainer's ideas.  This was a win/win for all - I think the trainer even learned some things :-)

 

Sorry for the poor focus - my 2 girls were having a hard time being still :-)

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks for updating us....and congratulations to Julianna and Charlotte!!!  Woo Hoo!!!!!    Very impressive!

[Alli and Barkley]

Thats great!  Congratulations

[F, Calla & Luca]

That's great, congratulations to Charlotte and Julianna.

[Joyce & Wilson]

Clap! Clap! Clap!  Applauding!!  Great job by All! : )

[Karen and Bridget]

That is fantastic!!  Congratulations to both your girls!

[Jersey, Jasmine, Jypsy and Diane]

Hugs to both your girls on their accomplishments. They have learned an awful lot during a short time. I am sure you are very proud of the both of them. I was a 4-H dog club leader (in NJ) for many years while my two daughter's were growing up. It was a wonderful learning experience for them and we all share many happy memories because of it. I hope the girls stay in 4-H, they won't regret it. My girls loved the summer 4-H Fair. Adorable photo.

[Jennifer Tramell]

We had a great experience and can't wait to see what the line up is for fall.  Julianna is already planning on some entries for the fair - should be fun!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Congrats! They both look so proud! In the end I'm glad you stuck with it and it all went well-we can't agree with everyone in this world but if worked YAHOO!!!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

YAY!! Glad to hear it all turned out positive in the end!! Congrats!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Thank you for posting the update to this previous story.  I have wondered how it played out.  Did you end up watching from the stands?  Congratulations to Julianna and Charlotte, and to you too, for letting this happen.

[Jennifer Tramell]

There were lots of parents in the stands.  They actually had a couple other 4H activities in the other end of the arena so the idea of "no parents" was pretty silly :-)

[Dot, Maggie and KoKo]

Congratulations to your daughter - does she travel?  I need someone with a lot more patience than me to train KoKo.  Charlotte needs to be praised too.  Great job everyone.