Yes, that's a good one, I practise that now when getting her out of the car, particularly in new places. I totally agree about not socialising before class. Well done to you
Training class 18 November 2017: Okay, so we are starting to hit more and more challenges. What is becoming apparent to me is that much as our previous classes were fun, we really developed very little as a training combination. I was totally on board when the previous trainer was disintersted in training walk at heel or sit at the heel position because it sounded reasonable that it was only for people who want to compete. I know realise that I was a total fool to believe that, and 90% of what I am trying to do with Harley will be greatly improved if she and I had a foundation of working at heel. Getting Harley to sit next to me is a whole new journey because up to now we have only done it with me sitting in front of her. So it doesn't sound like major things but it is a completely aspect to our training. And it does make it harder. I can not emphasize how calm and consistent the trainer is, as well as attentive. Which is why these issues are being highlighted. For the first time I have someone focussing on us and picking up small but important things. In our previous class there were always problem dogs. Siblings with severe seperation anxiety who freaked out of one moved away from the other, or reactive dogs. And there are training pairs with problems in my new classes too but they aren't the only pairs that get attention. And there are less severe issues to be honest. I am very glad there are classes for dogs to go who have challenges, I should just have cottoned on to the fact that it wasn't really the place for us earlier. Vent and regret over. Harley was less anxious at class this week. There was a agility show in the big field, so lots of dogs around but she walked very nicely to our smaller field. When the other dogs arrived Harley whined a bit and wanted to go meet her pals. I had discussed with the trainer, at the end of last class and again yesterday when we arrived early, that I don't want Harley to play with her class mates before we start. Without asking she stood at the entrance to the field and mentioned to everyone when they arrived that all the dogs were not encouraged to socialise before class. This made it much easier for us to keep our distance and I kept asking Harley for focus. Instead of taking 10 minutes to settle it took about 5. So that was an improvement. Issues with sit* - for the last two weeks or so I have been struggling to get Harley to sit when asked. She either lays down or remains standings. Whenever we give her anything we ask her to sit but I know that doesn't translate into her sitting when asked in training. When she really wants what we have then she is super keen to do what you ask. In training, not so much. Trainer suggested that I try a sit game with her in our back yard. Where I ask her to sit and then toss a treat behind her, when she returns to me I ask for sit again and then toss treat again. Idea is that she will sit quicker and quicker because we are playing and she is getting rewards. So I will try it this week. I really like that she recommends games and tries to keep the training fun. She expects effort and homework from the human but for the dog it needs to be fun. The heel work was better than last week but still needs a huge amount of work from my side. On the good side, she did fantastic sit stays and down stays - vrey focussed and not one break. And that is something we did a lot in her previous classes, so I am very happy that she has a good foundation.
Actually, thinking about this I have no business being annoyed at the previous trainer. I have all the access to information I need, I should have worked on this by myself. Luckily Harls is a willing participant and we will be working hard from here on out.
It's great isn't it when you find a trainer and a class that suits ? Makes such a difference. In my case it isn't that I didn't learn because I did learn something from everything, but the class I joined a month ago is just so good for us, consolidating what we already know and stretching us aswell. I really enjoy going there. Your class sounds very good, I'm pleased to hear it's going well for you.
I'm really happy you are so pleased with the new class! I like the way the trainer quietly takes note of your requests and needs, and acts on that. Also super that she sets you homework, and the emphasis on the dogs having fun. Sounds very good all round.
Training session 25 November 2017: Yesterday when Harley and I went to the pet store she was really great. A little excited to see people but 90% great. She even "spoke" on request. Super cute. On thinking about it I came to the conclusion that there were no dogs there, just people. So I thought I would change some things up for class today. We arrived 15 minutes early and just sat under a tree. Harley started off a bit anxious but eventually settled. Besides the normal treats, clicker and water I also took two cooling mats and a toy. I wanted to try and add some fun for us in class, so that I am more interesting than the other dogs. And I think I am on to something. In between exercises I took her back to her "bed/mats" and asked her to "go to bed" with a C & T. Harley loves games like that. We had about 10 minutes of over stimulated Harley at the start of the class and then she was so good. The BC that was there before, and she barked at, was there again and she not only didn't react to him, she did a lovely sit stay about 3m from him. I think the trainer spotted Harley's toy and decided to include a game of play and then settle (I think it is in the CGC test). Harley was awesome, she played tug with me and had a great time, and when I asked her for a drop the toy and a sit she settled right down. We had the option of playing with them with a dropped leash or unclipping the leash. I decided to unclip because I don't want her getting hurt. So she was really super. Sat beautifully while I clipped the leash back on. The trainer did the play sessions with each one of us individually so it wasn't as anxiety provoking. We also did the gate from CGC and she was so good. We just kept returning to the "bed" inbetween exercises and she was rewarded with a cool place to lay down as well as treats. She was asked to be an example of how to go to her "bed" and besides all the pressure I felt she did it beautifully. She went to "bed" and lay down, focussed on me. I asked her from about 5m because I was really nervous. All in all a much improved session.
