Matisse was awarded his Bronze- Good Citizen Dog Scheme Award last Thursday night! Wahey! 
Just thought I'd let you all know, since without your help it probably wouldn't have happened!
[hehe I feel like I’m making an acceptance speech for an oscar or something lol]
But any who, thanks so much to everyone here on Chaz who has helped me before with my training problems, and the advice i got on my thread 'tips for keeping focus on me...' last week was so valuable too, as a big part of the test relied on Matisse to keep his attention on me, not the passing people and dogs.
I couldn't believe it really, we went to the beginners class (where we normally go, but the test was during the intermediate class) and Matisse was so distracted, barely listened at all and i was really beginning to lose faith. Even during the recall, he thought it would be more fun to run around the hall madly, teasing all of the other dogs!
However, I think he needed that, just to let off steam (he's only a pup after all) and he completely turned his act around for the test!
I was so proud of him, he was an angel (very out of character!! haha)
I had been practicing his 'focus' a lot after i received the advice from some helpful chazzers on my thread. So in the test, i commanded 'look' and instead of him pulling towards the other critturs he simply acknowledged them, and watched me.
The rest of the test went so well too, even the dreaded recall. Matisse had to wait at the bottom of the hall, with loads of other dogs on both sides of the hall, then come to me when i called, and he did it perfectly, not even tempted to check out his homedogs!
The icing on the cake really was when the woman examining the dogs commented that he was excellent and hope I continue doing obedience with him… Yeys! :]]
But yeah. I was just so happy and proud of the wee pupper... And needless to say he got plenty of rewards as soon as we got home!
So seriously guys, i really appreciate all your input, t'was soooo useful and helped us out A LOT. And now I have something to show for it, check out his rosette!
Now we're training for Silver!!
(so expect more 'how do ya teach..' threads aha!)
Just thought I'd let you all know, since without your help it probably wouldn't have happened!
[hehe I feel like I’m making an acceptance speech for an oscar or something lol]
But any who, thanks so much to everyone here on Chaz who has helped me before with my training problems, and the advice i got on my thread 'tips for keeping focus on me...' last week was so valuable too, as a big part of the test relied on Matisse to keep his attention on me, not the passing people and dogs.
I couldn't believe it really, we went to the beginners class (where we normally go, but the test was during the intermediate class) and Matisse was so distracted, barely listened at all and i was really beginning to lose faith. Even during the recall, he thought it would be more fun to run around the hall madly, teasing all of the other dogs!
However, I think he needed that, just to let off steam (he's only a pup after all) and he completely turned his act around for the test!
I was so proud of him, he was an angel (very out of character!! haha)
I had been practicing his 'focus' a lot after i received the advice from some helpful chazzers on my thread. So in the test, i commanded 'look' and instead of him pulling towards the other critturs he simply acknowledged them, and watched me.
The rest of the test went so well too, even the dreaded recall. Matisse had to wait at the bottom of the hall, with loads of other dogs on both sides of the hall, then come to me when i called, and he did it perfectly, not even tempted to check out his homedogs!
The icing on the cake really was when the woman examining the dogs commented that he was excellent and hope I continue doing obedience with him… Yeys! :]]
But yeah. I was just so happy and proud of the wee pupper... And needless to say he got plenty of rewards as soon as we got home!
So seriously guys, i really appreciate all your input, t'was soooo useful and helped us out A LOT. And now I have something to show for it, check out his rosette!
Now we're training for Silver!!
(so expect more 'how do ya teach..' threads aha!)
