Training

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Since most rescue dogs are older, what training did your dog need?
Lily was 7 months old when she came to us. She was about 50% on potty training. As far as we can tell she had no obedience training but was very easy to walk on a leash. She is currently enrolled in beginner obedience and doing pretty well. She has a hard time staying focused but is doing better as each class progresses. Potty training is easier because of our other dog because she watches everything he does. She hasn't learned to ring the doggie bell yet but she's only been with us a little over a month. Overall she has adapted to our schedule very well and I think this is attributed to the intellegence of these wonderful dogs.

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Lily graduated from beginner obedience and will continue to advanced. Her instructor encouraged us to continue on the condition that I make it fun for her. She said she has a party personality and needs for me to loosen up some. That may be so but obedience is important so we will try the party aproach. Anyway I'm very proud of her, she has done very well even when it's not been all fun. Also, she is starting to ring the bell when needing to go out! Whooohooo!

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Lily passed her Advanced Obedience class tonight! She has come so far in the short time she has been with us. Everyday she is becoming more trusting but still maintains a "street savy" attitude that dominates from time to time. She is smart enough to figure in order to get extra treats she has to obey commands. It's not so much wanting to please us, it's all about the treat most of the time. She is a loving dog but I think she prefers Zeke's company to ours. Anyway, her next step with training is CGC class. Focus is improving but this class and test will be a challenge for her, but tonight we are celebrating victory!

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Lily passed the CGC!!! She has totally blown me away with how far she has come and can continue to go. She will be testing for the TDI Therapy Dog program soon.

[Moose&Mica]

Moose was about 10 months and Mica was 7 months when they were adopted by us. Both were crate trained, but Moose did much better than Mica did with the crate. Part of that might be Mica is much higher energy. They both had potty issues. For a while there I found one or the other type of mess in Mica's crate every other day (insert eye roll here). Neither had any training that we could tell. Both are doing great in their ongoing advanced obedience class and agility. They have both passed the Good Canine Citizens test numerous times also. Doodles are smart dogs, so I'm not surprised Lily is doing so well. However, for us, obedience is obedience. We are a tad more laid back at home than when we are out, but it's important that they respond to a command when we issue it (such as it they get off leash somehow). Party time is the dog park or sometimes the agility class. :)

[Adina P]

Thule came to us at 11 months and she was already potty trained...but had no leash manners, hated her crate with an unrelenting passion, and really followed no commands. She needed full training.

Clark (since she was HIS dog before OUR dog) spent a lot of time getting her excellent on leash and teaching basic commands. She's also learned over time that furniture is not for dogs at our house, and non-dog toys are not hers either. It took a long time to end counter surfing, but she rarely does it now.

However, we never really finished her training. So my mission, until baby #1 arrives, is to get her solid on stays so that we can have guests over and not have them tongue washed by Thule ... who instead will be lying politely in a down stay.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We thought at first that Clancy had had some training, but we now realize that 1) the humane society probably gave him some basic leash walking training while they had him and 2) if Clancy has a corrective collar on, his natural walk tends to simulate a heel. The only command he knew was, "Outside, Bad Dog!" which we shouted, when he had a fight with Gordie. He was out the doggy door like a shot with that! BTW, Gordie was also being shouted at and banished out the other doorway.