Decided to book Mira & myself in for a 6 week block with a lovely girl in the town who has just started doing group classes. She has puppy walked for Guide Dogs for years and has done one-to-ones but this is a new venture. She visits all the dogs before accepting them in the class to ensure no serious behaviour or aggression problems and there will be 6 in the class. We have actually met a Malamut on our walks who will be in the group, so not all strangers. Thought it would be good to be a good opportunity to proof the training we have done ourselves with the distractions of other people and dogs which is often difficult to do. I'm sure there are lots of other areas where we can improve too! So, looking forward to it, and looking forward to a more reliably obedient dog! Well, a girl can dream ;D
Re: First training class tomorrow That sounds great. I hope you both enjoy it. Let us know how you get on!
Re: First training class tomorrow Sounds terrific - I hope you really enjoy it! I'm sure it will help you improve Mira's skills and proof a whole bunch of things
Re: First training class tomorrow Wow she sounds a really conscientious trainer ,let us know how you get on and really hope you enjoy your classes x
Re: First training class tomorrow Sounds great! Even if you don't learn anything new it's good fun, bonding and as you said good opportunity to practise proofing of what you already know!
Re: First training class tomorrow It wil be a great experience for both of you. . The trainer really does sound good to visit the dogs before she accepts them. Have loads of fun. ;D
Re: First training class tomorrow Well, it went well. Masses of excitement meeting all the new dogs before we started, but they all got on fine together after a little initial growling exchange between a lovely rescued 2yo cocker and a timid boxer cross. They were put at opposite ends of the hall until they were feeling more confident and relaxed! Best friend of the day was Charlie the 7mo black lab - lots of kissing and pawing We did basic walking round keeping our dogs focussed on us, change direction, person in the middle bouncing a ball etc. then stop and sit and sit/stay. Mira mostly managed to stay focussed! Then we did 'Leave' commands with a treat on the floor. Mira is already pretty good with this (apart from the fact that it makes her drool like someone turned on the tap!!), but once the dog had left it while unrestrained she said to pick it up and give her it rather than let her take it, which I'm afraid is what we have always done :-[ Makes sense when someone points out the reasoning behind it and I guess it is little things like that which make a class worthwhile. She wants us to start whistle feeding at home this week as next week as she is going to start with recall. We have used the whistle for recall as per Pippa's book, so I'm sure Mira will respond well. She did have a set-back with recall, but we seems to be back on track with it now (famous last words!) It has worn her out though - not had a peep out of her since we got back at 12.30
Re: First training class tomorrow Sounds like a great class with some nice dogs there to make friends with x
Re: First training class tomorrow Clare that sounds great and Mira will be ahead of the class because you have been following Total Recall!! but don't tell them that ;D Well done x
Re: First training class tomorrow Oh that sounds like a great class!! Hopefully the next ones will be more of the same. Keep us updated, it's always interesting to hear about different dog training classes.
Re: First training class tomorrow I whistle fed her tonight, and when I had blown the whistle she started to move forward, but hesitated and looked back at me to make sure she was doing the right thing ;D We took her to the river walk at Glamis Castle tonight and she was hyper. In and out of the river like a yoyo the whole way. Coming back up the main drive we walked up opposite sides (it's very wide) and she ran at top speed between us for the entire mile or so. And she still wanted to play when we got home! Here's hoping for a lie in tomorrow
