Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

Well........

we weren't too shabby at all!! Hurrah! So relieved!

The class was excellent and the trainer was superb. It was for adult dogs so Bonnie was possibly the youngest in the class but she was pretty good actually. She soon got used to the form. Most of the dogs clearly had had some training so it felt a very safe and structured environment. The trainer also took time to watch all the owners and the way they handled their dogs. She pointed out a few thing to me that I can work on. My praising was correct but the tone of my voice for "No" was hesitant and not defined enough to differentiate from the praise voice. I suspect I knew that but just hadn't realised how unfirm it was!!! Very good to have that pointed out in a helpful way.

We started just walking to heel round the room and ignoring other dogs. That wasn't too bad as we've been working on it. If another dog showed interest in Bonnie, though, she needed no excuse to respond! So only a C+ for that!

We sat in the middle of the room in a stay as other dogs walked round and past us. I'd say we were a solid B at that!

We had to leave the dogs in a sit stay and recall them from the other side of the room. Bonnie waited till I was half way across the room then came bounding up before I'd recalled her. Only a C for that but we have never practiced that before so a new one for us to try (usually if I put Bonnie in a sit stay it's by my heel or to go through a door or for her food.)

Then we had to manoeuvre through some posts that had been set up (don't know the official name of this exercise). Approach the posts and sit, then weave through them all to the other side, then sit. Okay.... so we got an A++ for that - spot on! Very pleased. But I suspect it's only because I'm a loon and I had her ball in my hand! Still.... whatever it takes eh!?

The last exercise was a fairly brisk walk and then sit immediately. Turn and do it again in the opposite direction. We couldn't particularly manage this very well and I think it was something to do with lack of focus....

... because the main thing we had trouble with (and Rachael I'm so sorry!!! ???) was in me keeping Bonnie's attention. This is one for me to ponder. Essentially when Bonnie heard another dog being recalled she went to that owner! I couldn't keep her focused on me at all (even though I had good treats). My hunch is that she's so friendly and so biddable with others (she's like this with all my family and my friends - she's far happy to please them than boring old mum) that I wasn't the most interesting person in the room. Not sure how we manage that. But it made me acutely aware of something I'd only half noticed in the past. Bonnie is a people-pleaser but not necessarily a me-pleaser! Hmmmm....

All in all we weren't top of the class but we didn't disgrace ourselves either. She's a clever girl!

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

It sounds like you both did great!!!! In fact amazingly well for a new class!!! I'm sure you did really well at keeping her attention (otherwise she wouldn't have done anything you asked). Glad you had a fun time!

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

Wow that sounds a great first class!!!! Impressive ;D It sounds like the type of class we should go to as the companion dog class isn't great for us. Keep us updated

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

Well done on the new class. Bonnie did really well considering her age and the amount of new distractions

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

Aw! Thank you so much. I am just a tiny bit proud! 8)

Here's Bonnie all poised and focused to start her new class...



And, home again, after a hard day's work!

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

Awww Bonnie is so beautiful!!! (Of course she looks very like Maisie so I am biased…)

That class sounds FAB and like the kind of thing I would LOVE to work on with Maisie (who has a terrible time keeping attention around other dogs… okay… sometimes she is great at ignoring them when I ask, sometimes she just CAN'T for the life of her, she is getting better). What is it called? I guess I should just call up some trainers around town and ask if they have any type of class like that since it would be really helpful.

Although Maisie doesn't really have a "heel"… ha. So we wouldn't do too well.

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

Gorgeous girl!

;D

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

Bonnie says "Why, thank you." but she won't let it go to her head!

I looked up the gun dog club and found that one of their representatives was running ordinary classes in our area. http://www.thegundogclub.co.uk/ I'm sure they'd have something where you are.

Oh, I'll write more later, madam is giving me the "it's walkies time" look :

Ps - I can see an improvement around other dogs already!

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

[quote author=Bonnie link=topic=10456.msg156261#msg156261 date=1428913114]
Bonnie says "Why, thank you." but she won't let it go to her head!

I looked up the gun dog club and found that one of their representatives was running ordinary classes in our area. http://www.thegundogclub.co.uk/ I'm sure they'd have something where you are.

Oh, I'll write more later, madam is giving me the "it's walkies time" look :

Ps - I can see an improvement around other dogs already!
[/quote]

Clicked on the link and guess who popped up! Frankie and Murphy!

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

[quote author=maisiesmomma link=topic=10456.msg156217#msg156217 date=1428877789]
Awww Bonnie is so beautiful!!! (Of course she looks very like Maisie so I am biased…)

[/quote]

Do you have a picture of Maisie? I'd love to see her

[quote author=maisiesmomma link=topic=10456.msg156217#msg156217 date=1428877789]

That class sounds FAB and like the kind of thing I would LOVE to work on with Maisie (who has a terrible time keeping attention around other dogs… okay… sometimes she is great at ignoring them when I ask, sometimes she just CAN'T for the life of her, she is getting better). What is it called? I guess I should just call up some trainers around town and ask if they have any type of class like that since it would be really helpful.

Although Maisie doesn't really have a "heel"… ha. So we wouldn't do too well.

[/quote]

See above for how I found the class. For me the biggest thing was realising what I was doing wrong. You can read all you like and listen to advice but no one is there to check you're doing it right! She gave me two excellent tips. One was about the firm "no" the other was about making things black and white for your dog. Really clear. This is NOT acceptable. THIS is what I want you to do. It has really helped already after one short class.

The other thing that was great is that when you're out and about and you want to practice as other dogs approach you are, to a certain extent, reliant on the other owner welcoming the opportunity. I find most aren't that bothered. As long as their dog is on the lead and walking to heel, my bouncing, straining, excitable puppy is my concern. Whilst that's fair enough it was great to be in a class where every owner was willing to play the same game. I'm sure Bonnie and the others picked it up more easily because they were all having to ignore each other whilst walking in close proximity.

Hope you find somewhere! 8)

ps - I should say we've still got a LONG way to go, judging by today's walk ??? ??? ??? but I do feel more confident and I feel B's responding to my new found clarity.

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

So pleased you enjoyed it so much and both did so well x

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

Awwww she's so pretty in red, Bella says hi ;D

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!





I think all black working line girls look like Maisie so perhaps there's not much of a true resemblance, but there's my girl . We went to the beach this morning.

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

Oh my goodness - they could be twins!!! She's gorrrrrrgeous!!! Oh my!

I think Maisie's a little more dainty than Bonnie who has mah-hoosive paws, but their faces are v similar.

Thank you for posting these. I think we have lovely girls!!

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

STICKS!!!!! ;D ;D ;D

[quote author=maisiesmomma link=topic=10456.msg156570#msg156570 date=1429037066]

[/quote]

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

Oh yes. A world-class stick stash there.

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!



The water she can take or leave… mostly leave.. .but the STICKS! There is also a part of the beach that has sticks AND long grass, two of her favourite things. I spent awhile turning in circles watching her run circles around me out of pure excitement.

And yes she is a big slighter than Bonnie but otherwise I think they are a lot alike. Both very pretty

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

Ah, she's lovely and so happy! Beautiful girls.

Well, I can't give an update on our training class as I can't drive there with my fractured finger. I've done my worrying about how this accident will effect our progress and I'm over it! We'll manage!!

I have to say, there have been some interesting positives from this. Bonnie's "wait" (now imperative for opening doors, gates and climbing stiles) has dramatically improved; as has her sitting patiently while I fumble (sometimes for ages) trying to get her lead on! Getting kibble into a dispensing ball has been an upward learning curve though! She gets it out much quicker than I get it in!! :

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

[quote author=Bonnie link=topic=10456.msg157871#msg157871 date=1429567723]
Ah, she's lovely and so happy! Beautiful girls.

Well, I can't give an update on our training class as I can't drive there with my fractured finger. I've done my worrying about how this accident will effect our progress and I'm over it! We'll manage!!

I have to say, there have been some interesting positives from this. Bonnie's "wait" (now imperative for opening doors, gates and climbing stiles) has dramatically improved; as has her sitting patiently while I fumble (sometimes for ages) trying to get her lead on! Getting kibble into a dispensing ball has been an upward learning curve though! She gets it out much quicker than I get it in!! :
[/quote]

Oh noooo what have you done?!?!

 

Re: Starting a new training class next week - feeling wary!

LOL! Fractured a finger. Nice 120 degrees rotation! Long line training exercise gone wrong!