Second Training Class for Vern/Many Questions!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Today, we went to our second group training class in a new class we are trying for Fudge and Vern. Last week, we left there feeling proud. Today, not so much where Vern is concerned. Vern is such a good boy about listening, wants to please, and is a master at sit and down.

 

A little background...we have a fenced in back yard area that is the only area the dogs used to be allowed to play. In April, we put deer fencing around the front of our property and gated our driveway and now they play mostly in front. About two months ago, Vern just would not go down the steps into our back yard by himself. If we walk down into the yard, he will follow us, but runs immediately to an area that is nothing but dirt or a small doorway and stands there. He will not go on the grass. Now, we have been racking our brains trying to figure out what happened. Did he get bit by something, stung by something, etc.

 

The only reason I am mentioning this is today, at our outdoor class, the grass was very wet. Vern acted like a dog I do not know. He stepped in another dog's poop before class and leaped into the air like he had just stepped on a nail. Sounds nuts, huh? After that, he was leaping in the air periodically like he stepped on something again and I have never been as frustrated EVER as I was with Vern today. He is my best sitter (yes, sitter) and does his down with a hand signal and is spot on every time. Not today. it was like he was so worried about that grass, etc. he could not do anything correctly. The instructor wanted me to keep issuing corrections, which I did, but it was like he shut down and would not focus. I have never encountered this before and I know it sounds weird, but keep in mind, Vern is a chicken.

 

Question #2...our instructor is teaching us the Watch Me command. He does not want us to use our dog's name. We have two dogs. Should I never be using their names as in...Vern, watch me....Fudge, watch me....Vern, come...etc.   My husband is doing the classes with me.

 

Question #3..it is hot here....class is almost 90 minutes and it is outdoors. The instructor never stops for water breaks and I feel this is too long in this heat without water. Would like opinions? Am I being over protective or is this a valid concern?

 

Question #4....Vern is slobbering like he has never slobbered before during this whole class. I have never seen him slobber and drool like this. Is this just from nerves? What can I do about it?

 

Question #5...My husband works with Fudge. I work with Vern. Should we continue in class to work this way or should we be switching dogs periodically?

 

Thank you!

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

Well, I have no insight into the name thing - although there might be different issues if you have two dogs that household with one dog don't face. One the water issue - safety first. I always carry a water bottle for the dogs - break time or not - if they look hot - i would suggest letting them have a drink.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Cindy. I am doing that next week, and I could kick myself for not having water today.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

1. Oh Vern Vern Vern--Starlit loves  you.  She is my command follower.  Lover of all training.  Shy.  She also, does her business in the grass then runs back to the dirt.  Our neighbor had a foster who was allergic to grass. It was like the dog knew and he would leap from the patio to the picnic table to the slate walk way.  Dunno.  Maybe grass does not agree with Vern.  Keep up the good training.

2. We have the same problem. Poor dogs do not know who we are referring to when a command is given.  Either way, even if we do decide to say, " Starlit, Stay", Spud stays too. 

3. Stop and give the water.  That is my thoughts.  If they are yours, go with your gut.

4.Drolling, slobbering--Starlit profusely slobbered the first few weeks.  She was extremely nervous.  It slowed down.  Actually, it went away.  But for her, always a sign of stress.  Remember, it is good to stress them.  Just enough to build the confidence.

5.  Ask your trainer.  In our situation, I prefer to take Starlit.  I feel more comfortable working with her in class. She is much easier to train and handle for me.   Outside of class, we both work on the training.  You have many hours at home and only a few each week.  Our trainer wants us to take the same dog per 6-8 week session.

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

lol "he would leap from the patio to the picnic table to the slate walk way." I know I am bad..but this just cracked me up.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

You are not bad. It is funny.  This dog though, was pathetic!  Seriously, Seven years old, no hair. He did recover. Went to live in a slate-type yard if I remember correctly. Happily ever after in no grass.  I'm laughing now. So hard to type as I laugh with you.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thank you for all your comments, especially the one about good stress. They just seem so pathetic sometimes and it is good to hear I am building confidence.

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

I think I knew Vern in heaven, I too would leap in the air if I stepped in another person's poo... ick:)..anyway no words of wisdom..but I would NOT go 90 minutes for me or the animals with out water..hello..people die that way. tell the instructor before class that you WILL be stopping periodically for hydration for you and your dogs and give her/him that mean mom look that we learn from our moms and pass to our kids.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Mimi. Good advice. I had already decided to do this, but it is nice to hear others agree!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh I forgot something and signed back on.

We have to go to the opposite ends of the field.  We can NOT train side by side.  Starlit will not concentrate. Spud looks for me, etc.

We also separate the dogs when we are home. It is a joke to put Starlit in a down stay.  Spud runs over and pounces on her.  Or, call Spud to come.  Both come running even though Starlit is in  a stay. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

We found this to be a problem yesterday too and we talked in the car on the way home about splitting up next week. When they were in their stay, Fudge tried to sneak over to me and Vern was looking at my husband, who was standing next to him and not focusing on me. Thank you for signing back on and for your help!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh do I hate those frustrating training days...and we have plenty of them with Murph.  Here are some of my thoughts...

-Try to forget that Vern is a bit of a "chicken".....he needs to respond to your commands even if it's on grass.  I really believe that once he is clear that this is what you expect and gets into his "working mindset" he'll forget about the grass.  Remember that Murph used to be scared to death to be right outside of a dog park where he could see the other dogs on the other side of the fence....after working with him in that setting he got over it.  It's like they can't really focus on two things at the same time, so if they're truly working they seem to forget the other stuff....at least that's been my experience.  I agree with the instructor that you would need to correct for Vern's mistakes....but then lots of praise when he gets it right.

-My trainer always cautions me about using my guys' names too.  I was doing it way to much.  He says "just issue the command calmly but firmly and wait for them to comply"...no names involved.  I still forget at times.  There's something about them hearing their name...and generating excitement. 

-When we take our guys on "working hikes" we do not stop for water (it's about an hour and 15 minutes).  I keep ice water in the car and they get it the minute we're done.  Heck my trainer doesn't let us stop for pee or poop either.  Murph fools him though, he'll just poop right during the walk.  Not much you can do about that.....I swear that I saw Murphy smiling the last time he did it.

-Don't worry about the slobber....it's normal.  I'm sure he's a little stressed by all of this.

-My DH and I switch off with our dogs.  He usually has Guinness and I have Murph, but every now and then we switch.  My trainer thought that would be a good idea since we both need to be able to handle each of the dogs, and I agree.

Anyway, I'm really excited that you're back to training with your guys, Laurie.  Please keep us posted.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Jane, for all the good advice. All great points, especially the chicken part. Vern makes it hard to forget sometimes that he is a Chicken Doodle, especially when he is bucking like a Bronco trying not to touch wet grass:)  I mean this is the same dog who rolls in wet stuff all the time.  It just was so bizarre and I was so frustrated with him. It was like at the end of the leash, I had a dog I did not know. Next week, we change locations, so it should be interesting. I have had two trainers tell me no names, and I find that very hard, so this week that is a big focus for me. Thank you again for the great advice.