So tonight was Zeke's first day of his intermediate level class. It's a very small class with only 5 dogs(4 today, one couldn't make it). Unfortunately...the others have had NO work with loose-leash walking so I have no idea how they made it in. So today, that's what we worked on. Ugh. But that's okay.
So, it began with some lecture, explaining what we would do in the class, what methods would be used, etc. Then for a challenge..
A sit-stay while the trainer walked around placing treats around the dogs, close to them and far away. A sit-stay while owner bounced a tennis ball. (This was difficult for Z--tennis balls boucing all around the room! But he never once moved a muscle, I was so proud!) And for Zekers, a sit-stay with toys and treats sitting around him. He did marvelous and won the challenge. If your dog broke his stay, he was out. It came down to him and the Border Collie of the class and the other decided to sneak a snack. Her owner scruffed her. o-o Trainer had a little private lesson with her afterwards about scruffing and the like...the whole time the owner was very clearly showing her Cesar-like methods. :dogrolleyes: But hopefully the class will be good for her and she'll abandon her domineering methods with her timid dog.
Anyway...then to see if any of the dogs had a solid "wait" command. To be honest, Z and I haven't worked on that in FOREVER. So it didn't go fabulous, but we'll work some more before next week. Since the other dogs aren't as advanced as they should be for this class the trainer is kind of having to do some back-tracking. But that's alright. Zeke is handling all of this very well--I thought he'd be more intimidated with all the people and dogs. He did stick to me like glue, but honestly I don't mind that a bit--he's the only dog in class who pays no attention to anything else going on. With tennis ball in hand he could care less if a tornado passed by, lol. I have a feeling he's going to have a GREAT heel when we get to it. Not to brag, but he is well ahead of the class. Doing great! He even approached two complete strangers today!!! I was THRILLED! He had an amazing day today. We have some work to do before the next class and I'm loving it already. This is the first training class I've ever attended with any dog and I'm thoroughly enjoying myself. Can't wait till next week! :doglaugh:
So, it began with some lecture, explaining what we would do in the class, what methods would be used, etc. Then for a challenge..
A sit-stay while the trainer walked around placing treats around the dogs, close to them and far away. A sit-stay while owner bounced a tennis ball. (This was difficult for Z--tennis balls boucing all around the room! But he never once moved a muscle, I was so proud!) And for Zekers, a sit-stay with toys and treats sitting around him. He did marvelous and won the challenge. If your dog broke his stay, he was out. It came down to him and the Border Collie of the class and the other decided to sneak a snack. Her owner scruffed her. o-o Trainer had a little private lesson with her afterwards about scruffing and the like...the whole time the owner was very clearly showing her Cesar-like methods. :dogrolleyes: But hopefully the class will be good for her and she'll abandon her domineering methods with her timid dog.
Anyway...then to see if any of the dogs had a solid "wait" command. To be honest, Z and I haven't worked on that in FOREVER. So it didn't go fabulous, but we'll work some more before next week. Since the other dogs aren't as advanced as they should be for this class the trainer is kind of having to do some back-tracking. But that's alright. Zeke is handling all of this very well--I thought he'd be more intimidated with all the people and dogs. He did stick to me like glue, but honestly I don't mind that a bit--he's the only dog in class who pays no attention to anything else going on. With tennis ball in hand he could care less if a tornado passed by, lol. I have a feeling he's going to have a GREAT heel when we get to it. Not to brag, but he is well ahead of the class. Doing great! He even approached two complete strangers today!!! I was THRILLED! He had an amazing day today. We have some work to do before the next class and I'm loving it already. This is the first training class I've ever attended with any dog and I'm thoroughly enjoying myself. Can't wait till next week! :doglaugh: