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!

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

this is the drinking container I have for Lilly. http://www.waterrover.com/  the handi drink looks easier to handle. but the water rover has been great for traveling with her.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Another thing, Laurie.

Starlit works very S L O W.  We are always steps behind.  It took us  awhile to correlate ourselves to working together.  She is oh so slow.  I could see my trainer looking at me and I thought she thought we were helpless. Not really.  They are assessing needs, pushing the dogs and owners a little time ( a good thing )

Don't look at all the others.  The first few weeks we were there, I thought I had the flunky from.......................  I felt awkward and I really believe Starlit did also.  As time went on, oh my goodness, some dogs have some serious issues!  Much more serious than we can ever imagine.  I just never saw the other problems because I was so self conscious. You may just feel like you are sticking out!  Like the first day of school when we were kids.  Awful is how I felt on some of those days.  Everyone feels this way, especially when they have sought out help because of certain behavior problems.

By the end of this session you will  not only see great improvements ( keep a log of your thoughts) you will be cheering all the other owners in their successes.  You become corrdinated a little at a time.  The dog actually picks up on the rhythm and begins to form a working team with you.  The drooling stops and they begin to wag their tails because it is time to work.  They begin to KNOW what is expected and like knowing what is expected.  But those first weeks, well it is just awkward.  It really is Group Therapy too!  LOL 

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Joanne, You hit the nail on the head. I felt like I was slowing down the class and they were all thinking we were idiots. We are working hard this week with the dogs and we are at a new facility Saturday and I think it is indoors, so we shall see. I want to build confidence in them mainly and have them love to be at class. We have a ways to go yet. I am also going to pick the brain of an older man next week. I love how he and his dog work together...it is a joy to see....and I want to know what his secret is. Thank you so much for all of your help!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Laurie, repeat after me. We are too old, even though you are young, to give a fig newton about what other people think.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

F, I just repeated that 8 times, and normally I do not care a whit (almost typed a bad word) when it has to do with me, but for some reason when it involves my dogs, I guess I do! How are people going to know they are perfect, if they never act like they are....LOL? I can't keep telling people this and get no support from Vern and Fudge.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Those ingrate dogs.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh yes.  I was going left when everyone else was going right.  When Starlit finally sat, everyone else was half way down the field.  I was trying to give her a cookie and she would choke and spit and cough because I was moving along. She would look at me like I was just off the friggin wall. Yes, my dog looked at me stupid too.

Like a big mess on an uncoordinated ugly world Stage, there we were.  But my girl, shy girl, with NO confidence who hid under the table that first day, wags her tail and jumps out of the car to zoom to class now.  It is a wonderful experience.  In public, she no longer backs up, she stands at my side.

Especially when you are having trouble, the rewards are so much greater.  I really encourage and applaud you joining a group class.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

OMD, Joanne...the instructor kept saying turn right, now left, now straight (with our dogs in a heel) and at one point, my husband and I were facing each other and neither one of us were facing the way we were supposed to be. Idiots, I tell you (the rest of the class..not us). So encouraging about Starlit. I hope my two get to that point. Thanks!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Well no one said we could join the girls etiquette class.  Just quit when they ask you to walk with books on your head in high heels.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You gals are making me feel so glad I gave up on classes shortly after Calla came. I still think I'll train them more but I never do. Because basically they are good dogs and we live in harmony. Good enough : )

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It could just be, you are older and wiser.  Harmony is all one can ask for.  In my mind, I do not ever remember fussing so much over my dogs.  They all seemed content and behaved.  Pete did jump on cars when a guest would arrive and NOT get out of the car fast enough for him.  He once put a long scratch in a man's new BMW.  Oh my.  But that is all I can remember.  I often think, if I just ignore them, they are just fine.