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!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Chicken Doodle ....... It's ok Vern, Sophie is a chicken doodle too, see!   Oh wait, different kind of chicken doodle.  I guess Lucy would be a "chicken doodle" too because she was hiding behind me in this picture.  Maybe Lucy and Vern are soul mates.

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Very funny!!! Poor Lucy..these do look really scary...LOL!

[Julie, Boomer, Milo & Casey]

Has he always had this problem with grass?   If our grass is damp, often times Boomer will poop on the patio!   It drives me nuts.   I've wondered if its something in/on our grass that bothers him (altho he's never come inside and licked his paws).    If I take him for a walk or to a dogpark with grass, it doesn't phase him at all.    After reading your post, it made me wonder if Boomer would do that same thing if class was held outside.   I'm inclined to believe he would probably act just like Vern.    Maybe their paw pads are sensitive to wet grass?   I don't have a clue but I'll follow this thread and hope that someone can answer your questions.    Good luck!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Julie, Vern rolls in everything....mud, grass, water, etc., so that is why this is so confusing. All I know is it started when he stepped in the poo. Lately, however, he will only go on the dirt spot out back in our backyard or the stones we have in a certain area. He is fine in the front yard.

[Adina P]

Since it is NOT actually dangerous for him to down and stay in wet grass, I think your trainer is right that he should be corrected.  It's good for dogs to work outside their comfort zone, provided they have a good understanding of the command and there is no actual problem with the grass or whatever.  Working a dog in such situations and training them to respond even if they don't FEEL like it is good.  It will transfer to future situations where they don't really FEEL like following a command.

 

#2 I would get clarification from the instructor since it is her rule and we all do things differently.

 

#3 I'm mixed on this.  They will be fine without water if they have been well hydrated through the day...but when you say she doesn't 'stop' for water breaks.  Does that mean they are working the WHOLE time and on command?  When I traveled to Portland to work with my trainer it was also quite hot and we didnt have much shade but there was no water break and we worked for about the same amount of time.  It was hot but we did fine.

 

#4  Probably nerves.

 

#5  What does your trainer say?  I'm big on sticking to one trainer and really ironing things out with that trainer.  Or else you get a mishmash of ideas that may NOT work for whatever method you are following.  I think it's good to have one trainer per dog until you're done.  Then swap after.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Adina. I am going to ask this trainer about the names and switching trainers. I have always worked with Vern in class and my husband has always taken Fudge. I work with both of them throughout the week.

 

Yes, they are working the whole time. He has each dog demonstrate their skills individually and we all watch, but they remain in a sit or down. Does that make sense? It is just so hot here and they seem to be the hairiest dogs there.

 

It just was such an off day for Vern and unexplainable, because he is very good at listening and is perfect with sits, downs, etc., but on Saturday he was just off. It caused a lot of frustration with me and my husband pointed out that did not help the situation :) Thank you so much for your help!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I can't imagine what all is going on with Vern. But I do know my trainer taught us to always say the dog's name before a command to get the dog's attention and let the dog know you mean him. I know I must be getting a reputation as a pill pusher, what can you do? But sometimes when someone is too anxious they cannot concentrate, comprehend or learn. Just wondering if this could be Vern's problem. Medication can truly help with this.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

F, I am all for medicine, but the week before Vern did so great and this week he was just off. I have never had him act like this in class. He is my dog that wants to please. I say the name because we have two dogs, so I am going to talk to him about that this week. It is almost like a reflex for me. I would never rule out anything that would help Vern, and our old rescue dog was on medication for anxiety, but I don't feel like Vern needs this at this point. I might need it for me, though, if he does it next class. Thanks for your help.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Any time.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Laurie -- Re #3, check out one of these for the quick drink.  I use these on therapy visit.  Just clips to my belt and you can stop for a quick drink.  These are much better than the original types of these.  It actually screws together rather than just slips on like the old ones.  I personally think 90 mins is too long for a training class regardless of weather.  After an hour I was usually mentally finished, as were the girls.  That's just my thoughts though, I've been known to have a rather short attention span.

 

As for switching dogs, our trainer originally had DH and I switch dogs each week until she could see that the dogs each respected both of us and then she said it didn't matter.  It used to always be I had Sophie and Mike had Lucy, but Lucy seems to be more comfortable in public with me, so now I normally take her while we are working through her shy issues.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Lucy and Sophie's mom, I think you wanted to include a link to the drinking container. I thought of this myself yesterday but did not include a picture or the link. Is this what you were talking about ( and I was thinking about?)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Here is the link but I think I even saw these at the dollar store

http://www.petcrew.net/