Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Well done you guys.
I must admit we (luckily) trained a really good boot exit too.
A bit wobbly if there is something really really exciting but never NOT so far stayed when asked.
At least we got ONE thing right as a youngster :

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Reading this thread just got me thinking how important it is to follow up puppy classes with adolescent classes. Most are now aware that puppy classes are important for early training and socialisation but all too often problems arise once they get a bit older and have more energy, hormones and need more stimulus. Suddenly the soft furry puppy becomes 30kg of energy and self will.

I'm sure it would be good business for dog trainers to automatically contact their puppy class groups 6 months and a year later with the option of signing up to further classes. I'm sure fewer dogs would be under threat of being rehoused due to exuberance.

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

[quote author=Jes72 link=topic=9341.msg139302#msg139302 date=1422178198]
Reading this thread just got me thinking how important it is to follow up puppy classes with adolescent classes. Most are now aware that puppy classes are important for early training and socialisation but all too often problems arise once they get a bit older and have more energy, hormones and need more stimulus. Suddenly the soft furry puppy becomes 30kg of energy and self will.

I'm sure it would be good business for dog trainers to automatically contact their puppy class groups 6 months and a year later with the option of signing up to further classes. I'm sure fewer dogs would be under threat of being rehoused due to exuberance.
[/quote]

I agree, actually we only attended 2 puppy classes (with a different trainer..) and found them just too much for our big exuberant puppy! It was in a hall, with a lot of really tiny puppies. We did a lot of our own socialisation and training in the early days with a few 1-1 lessons for Benson, which really helped, especially around lead walking and recall.

Adolescent classes for us, are a god send. All the other dogs on the course range in size and shape, so are a great opportunity to observe how our dogs interact . Sometimes we focus on our dogs too much, when big clues are coming from how other dogs behave around ours. Of course honing or revisiting basic obedience skills is great, without worrying about anyone muttering under their breath, that dog needs training.!.. :

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Woop just booked murphy a place on febs adolescence class at widgets farm as this thread has made it sound great and i am so lucky that it is only 15 mins from me!

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Thats great! That means Murphy will be enrolled in the youth club with Harley and benson

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Fab it is really good and the trainer is lovely and knows her stuff
Youth club here we come

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Week 4.....and graduation!

Final week and I have to say we will miss our Saturday morning classes, Benson has learned so much at big school! There is a marked improvement, and I am feeling more relaxed on our walks. For us this has been very important, ensuring that Benson gets one to one training especially at his age, whilst juggling Casper with his very different needs has been a real challenge.

Luckily we are now enrolled in the Youth Club so have an opportunity alongside all the other graduates to revisit our basic training, or just relax and walk our dogs in a safe and friendly environment. Oh...did I mention the velvet hippos spa at the end of one of the field?. ..labradors paradise! ;D

Firstly we had our chat at the beginning of the class, (dogs in cars at this point after a quick loose lead practice round the big, secure field). This week the Q&A was about training, the fact is that training a dog is really is quite simple, the process of learning is the same, be it a complex trick or a basic sit. We talked about 2 main techniques..."luring" meaning using our hand with a treat to lure our dog into the position we want..or "capturing" which means when the dog moves into position naturally we "capture" that behaviour quickly (marking verbally or with clicker). An example of capturing is when the dog "checks in" on a walk, without a cue.....and luring..when we use a hand with a treat low down to lure the dog into maybe a down position or a sit.

Next putting this into practice..and an exercise, to use luring to train a new trick...so I thought OK lets try a spin! Actually a half spin... holding the treat low..close to Benson's mouth, and encourage him to turn...he did this well, better actually when Marcus tried...I found it a bit awkward. Others in the class chose weaving, or moving through legs. We had about 10 mins of trying this before we presented our efforts to the rest of the class...

We then perfected our meet and greet, a bit more sophisticated now...the emphasis being maintaining a loose lead at all times, this helps the dog feel more comfortable and in control, without feeling any pressure on his neck. The objective here was to allow the dogs to comfortably greet another dog, for a few seconds, recognise also if they are uncomfortable (either dog..) and to move quickly and calmly away if necessary. Dogs were rewarded handsomely if they checked in after a quick hello...as this is the scenario which suits us the best..a quick polite greeting with a loose lead before continuing on... On a similar theme we looked at another scenario..having a quick chat with the owner, with our dog in a sit..reinforced with treats, but as an added measure a simple heel on the lead to prevent the dog jumping up...note we are not trying to train a dog NOT to jump up...however reducing the opportunity and the classic situation when the owner comments..."no, that's OK I don't mind", and worse pets the dog....been there done it...and they have the muddy paw prints to prove it! :

Next another race!! Yippee! Benson loves these games! ;D

OK second thoughts this looks a bit tricky...we have to weave through some cones...on a loose lead...stop and sit at a gate...then on to perform a trick....hmmm..... ;D :

Benson was great! I was all other the place... ;D

2nd go...Benson was great and so was OH... : ;D ;D

Then we moved to a game which highlighted the importance of proofing with distractions...which did make me think I expect so much of my dogs..especially Benson. We played a game of charades...with our dogs in a sit ....trying to keep Benson in a sit..while with arms flailing around trying to act out a sinking ship..."Titanic" was just too much for him...I am just relieved that we were in a big open field and no one I knew was watching.... ;D

And the end...lots of hot chocolate, cake, certificate and a fabulous rosette Well not quite the end...Harley, Casper and Benson had a run around for a bit...Casper was there today as he went to school in the morning...will add that in bit in Caspers training log

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Well done all - what marvellous progress!

;D ;D

 

Re: Adolescent classes start soon for Harley and Benson..

Sounds fab! Well done indeed.