Our Obedience Adventures begin!

[MH<3dogs]

Hey everyone!

So I enrolled Hannah in the obedience classes at the local community college. Hopefully I will be able to enroll her at the club come August but if not we will at least have a good start.

Today was orientation so no dogs were allowed. There are about 6-8 of us in the group so not ridiculously big. The instructor seems good. She and her dog are into SAR, and obedience. She has a 6 year old Golden Retriever named Bailey who seems like a real sweetheart. She also has horses so we had even more to chat about while we waited for everyone else to show up.

I'm not sure if we have the oldest dog in the group but I know we are not the largest. There is going to be an Akita, a Boxer, Puggle, Corgi mix, Cairn terrier, Sheltie mix and a Silky terrier.

And the best part is that the BF came with me. Hopefully he will continue going since I think it will be good for all of us. I can't wait for next week. Crossing fingers it doesn't rain!

 

[MH<3dogs]

So today is Hannah's first real class. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. Wish us luck!

 

[bnwalker2]

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[corgipower]

Have fun!!

Let us know how it goes.

 

[MH<3dogs]

We didn't get kicked out! Woot woot!

Hannah did A LOT better than I expected. At first I looked like a rag doll at the end of the leash when the other dogs started showing up and she did bark at the instructor twice. But by the end I had more control and the instructor was able to do a "greet" exercise with her and she stayed in the sit position. YAY! During one of the heel exercises she jumped and barked at the instructor and the instructor asked me if she could borrow her because she had to go to a "dangerous" part of town tonight, LOL!

Even though she is the oldest dog there I still felt proud that when I was able to get her attention she knew all the commands that were being asked. The instructor even said I had good coordination, if only she knew!

I'm so thrilled!

 

[MH<3dogs]

Today is suppose to be our second session but its pouring here. It was never really clear where the class was going to be if it rained (its out in the parking lot) so I'm hoping to get a call real soon from the instructor.

Hannah's been really good during our home training sessions. I took her to the Petsmart parking lot the other day it wasn't too busy and she eventually relaxed (hopefully one day we can go in the store). Then yesterday our house guest had a few friends over and they were hanging out in the parking lot. So I took the opportunity and practiced some leash work. She was very polite and even sat next to me while I talked. The girl's friend kept telling her BF, "Look that's how a dog should act." I was so proud!

 

[corgipower]

She was very polite and even sat next to me while I talked. The girl's friend kept telling her BF, "Look that's how a dog should act." I was so proud!

You should be proud. That's excellent!!

 

[Doberluv]

FANTASTIC! I'm glad you're off to such a happy start. And it is great if your b.f. keeps going so you're both on the same page with your pup. Happy training!

 

[MH<3dogs]

Thanks CP and DL!

Last week we had our session outside in the rain! But the rain wasn't too bad. Hannah on the other hand was wound up since it had been pouring all day and we didn't go out and play. The blisters on my hands were horrible that I couldn't even hold her leash for a day or two after that. So I felt like we took one step forward and then three steps back.

Today we actually have some sun but its pretty hot out. I'm going to bring lots of water! The trainer said we are going to practice "come" on a 12ft. leash. I'm bringing elbow pads, knee pads, a helmet and bubble wrap

 

[corgipower]

So I felt like we took one step forward and then three steps back.

Ahhh so sorry.

It happens to us all. There will always be good days and bad days. When you consider the performance, you have to consider the conditions. Training in the rain isn't easy. I tend to lose a lot of attention when it's raining because my dogs won't look up and I need to compensate for that and adjust the training.

 

[MH<3dogs]

Thanks CP! Yeah I tried not to get too disappointed.

Today though was much better. She did really well on the 12 foot leash. Then the instructor did something extremely nice. She had her friend come to the class to work one on one with us. He's the head of the SAR program that she's with and has experience with GSDs. I can't remember for the life of me what his name was, I'm so bad with names.

Anyway at first Hannah was scared of him and put on her big mean face. Slowly but surely (and with lots of treats) she came around and then she was in love with him. He gave us some advice as to how to work with her on socialization. Once she was comfortable with him he took her and worked with her. It was amazing to watch her work for him. I couldn't thank both of them enough.

So we took another step forward!

 

[lizzybeth727]

Yay!

I always love watching my dog work with someone else. I can't really see her whole body posture when she's training with me, so it's really interesting to see what she's really like while training. I keep begging my friends to run agility with her, just so I can watch her.

 

[MH<3dogs]

Work has been so hectic lately that I haven't been able to update.

This week's class went well. Her and the instructor are friends. We are working on properly greeting other dogs. Nothing really exciting happened which I think is a good thing, lol!

 

[Kim M]

You should be proud!! She is doing great.

I start training with Reno in two weeks. I used to teach dog training and have trained him some but just can't get myself to do it regularllly so I signed up for a class. I am also thinking about doing agility with him and if I do I will join the club. I belonged a while ago when I showed my Poodle in agility.

Reno is really easy to train and knew sit when I got him at 12 weeks. He will sit on command first time asked and fast. He learned down after only two times of me showing him. One day I took him in the groomer's with me to pick up my Poodle and the groomer told him down (with a treat) and he laid right down. I was shocked.. it had been a week since I showed him that and I only did it twice!

He will come every time called which isn't even something I've worked with him on, he just did it. He likes to be by me I guess. Even at the dog park if he's in the middle of play he will come if called.

I'm looking forward to more of your updates and I'll let you know how our class goes. Oh and BEAUTIFUL dog btw!

 

[Black Magic Dakota]

Sounds like your having quite an adventure training your dog! Keep staying positive like you are already and eventually you guys will come through!

Give my link below a shot too! its worked incredibly!

 

[MH<3dogs]

Thanks guys! Good luck with your training Kim. Reno is a handsome boy.

This week will be our last class. The instructor is going to be setting out on her own and she's going to keep me informed so I can continue training with her. The guy that had some one and one time with us a couple of weeks ago even asked her to ask me if I would be interested in joining the SAR team with Hannah. I about fell over I was so thrilled! So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she brings all the info this Tuesday.

 

[Kim M]

Cool!!! Reno and I ended up starting agility instead of obedience class. He is doing very well.