Puppy Training Class progress

Chewbecca

feel the magic
Joined
Sep 7, 2007
Messages
7,328
Likes
0
Points
0
#1
For Ophie and Luke.

Ok, so Luke's first night was last night.
Last night was Ophie's second night.

All went pretty well, and instead of allowing ALL puppies to play off leash with each other, she split them into groups of 3.

Luke's group consisted of him, Sandy (the boxer puppy), and Zack (Shih-tzu/something mix).
Zack is so small, though, that his owner, I think, opted to have him sit out of puppy playtime because Luke and Sandy are so much bigger than him.
But Luke and Sandy played well together.

Ophie's group consisted of her, Copper (GORGEOUS Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy), and Cooper (golden/lab mix puppy).
Ophie was more interested in the bags of food there at first. And Copper tried to play with Cooper, but Cooper is the youngest in the class, and is very growly (not in a playful way, either), and was more interested in snarking at Copper. Ophie finally joined the pups in playtime and she played well with Copper and with Cooper, but when they were all back on leash, Cooper snarked at Ophie, and that set Ophie off a little. She just simply snarked back.

Luke got frustrated with Copper during class because, we think, he wanted to play and he got snarky with him due to be held back on leash.
But as far as obedience went, Ophie and Luke did pretty well.
Luke has "Watch Me" DOWN, when I can get him to stop looking at the other dogs (that he just so desperately wanted to play with).

We have to work on off leash time in an unknown, safe area (preferably a place the pups have never been that is fenced in), and we're working on "stay" and walking well on leash.

Poor Cooper was apparently taken from his littermates too soon, or so the trainer thinks, because he is snarky and his body language is VERY stiff.
He's only about 10 weeks old or so.
But he's flashing some red flags, and he kept biting the leash, and not in that puppy playful way. It was a "GIMME WHAT I F-ING WANT, OR I WILL KEEEELLLLL U." way.

He's cute as hell, and it's hard not to giggle when he starts acting like an ass in class, but our trainer gave us all strict orders not to react AT ALL to his behavior.

But he's so cute.
But he's going to be a HANDFUL for his owner.
And I felt so bad for his owner because I KNOW how it is to have the oddball puppy in the class.
The dog who doesn't want to behave.

Hell, I owned Ella for HOW long???
Yeah. I was constantly having to apologize to passers-by for her over-the-top behavior at the sight of their dogs.

So, yeah. I felt bad for him.
 

milos_mommy

Active Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2006
Messages
15,349
Likes
0
Points
36
#2
Odd question, but do you handle BOTH puppies in class? Or does Ben go with you and you each take one? Do you switch?
 

Chewbecca

feel the magic
Joined
Sep 7, 2007
Messages
7,328
Likes
0
Points
0
#4
Ben goes with. And we tend to switch out puppies thoughout class.

I wouldn't have enough hands to hold two leashes, reach into my treat bag, hold a clicker, and treat two puppies at the same time.
But the thought makes me giggle.:D
 

Chewbecca

feel the magic
Joined
Sep 7, 2007
Messages
7,328
Likes
0
Points
0
#5
You should take pictures at puppy class! I'm glad Ophie and Luke are doing well :) How is your ankle?
Ankle was pretty sore after class last night.
I can walk on it. But I still wear a support for it, and when I walk to puppies, I am good for about a block for each before it starts to bother me.

So, I might be looking to hire a walker.
 

Chewbecca

feel the magic
Joined
Sep 7, 2007
Messages
7,328
Likes
0
Points
0
#7
See, this sucks.
I would SO let you walk them (Separately, of course).
But you don't live near me.

And I don't want to hire a dang stranger to walk them. I have trust issues when it comes to my dogs being walked.:eek:
And Ben doesn't really want to pay anyone to walk them, but I simply cannot walk them as much as they need right now until my ankle fully heals.
And it'll be 2 weeks until their walking harnesses arrive, and I can train them to walk on the treadmill (which my trainer doesn't think I should do since they are still puppies).

I was considering asking my niece (she's 19 and strong and she'll do as I say,and she's laid back which is good when walking dogs), but I don't know how much dog walkers get paid.
Do you have any idea what most people pay dog walkers?
 

Izzy's Valkyrie

Very Food Agressive
Joined
Dec 10, 2008
Messages
5,946
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Washington DC
#8
I don't know what most people pay dog walkers but when I was considering joining a small team of walkers the pay averaged out to about ten dollars per walk. You could ask Lizmo, I know she does some dog walking/sitting stuff.
 

Chewbecca

feel the magic
Joined
Sep 7, 2007
Messages
7,328
Likes
0
Points
0
#9
Well, I may start a thread here, but I started one over on my pit bull forums because I know there are some dog walkers there.

I need to find out HOW they charge. Do they charge by distance of walk? Length of time of walk? Difficulty of dog to walk? What is included in the service, like, obedience training during walks or anything like that.
 

Izzy's Valkyrie

Very Food Agressive
Joined
Dec 10, 2008
Messages
5,946
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Washington DC
#10
Depends on the professionalism/ variety of walker. If you're thinking of using family, I'd see what she was comfortable with as far as OB/difficulty of walking. Though I imagine no one would turn down a chance to walk your lovely pups!
 

JessLough

Love My Mutt
Joined
May 16, 2009
Messages
13,404
Likes
2
Points
38
Age
33
Location
Guelph, Ontario
#11
As far as how much they get paid, it really is dependant upon the dog walker and the owner. Usually, they get paid by the length of the walk, and the size/handability of the dog. Small, easy dogs are not going to be as difficult to walk as larger dogs, so they generally charge less. Usually, for more than one dog, there would be a discount for the second dog (even if walked seperately).

Now, as far as training on walk, usually the walker will work on LLW, but other than that, it depends on the walker and what the owner wants.
 

MericoX

Roos, Poos, & a Wog!
Joined
Oct 27, 2007
Messages
5,326
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
39
Location
In depression
#12
Go Luke and Ophie!!

Regarding the small fenced in area, have you looked at local dog parks? Not saying bringing them in with the other dogs, but some parks have a small dog section that is separated from the bigger dogs (I know ours is). You could also find a field, or beach and keep them on a long line.
 

Chewbecca

feel the magic
Joined
Sep 7, 2007
Messages
7,328
Likes
0
Points
0
#13
Well, we do not have any local dog parks. Nor do we have any beaches since we are in Illinois. We have Ben's parents' house, so we may try that.
Plus, my ankle is still CRAP, so it's limited time I can spend doing the exercise.

THANK GOD both pups have proven to be so good at training! I'd be screwed!:lol-sign:
 

filarotten

Fila the love
Joined
Aug 5, 2005
Messages
8,807
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Texas
#14
A video or pictures would be wonderful. Maybe Ben could take the pictures? Glad Ophie and Luke are doing good in training class, not that I am suprised, they are both so smart and cute.
 
Joined
Dec 20, 2003
Messages
94,266
Likes
3
Points
36
Location
Where the selas blooms
#15
Isn't it nice, though, to have the Pit Bulls in class -- and they aren't the first ones to snark? :D Your two are so full of awesome adorables, though, that it would be hard for anyone not to think they were incapable of naughtiness, lol.
 

Members online

No members online now.
Top