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1st puppy class = mortified.

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  • jenn52
    • Gold Top Dog
    jenn52

    Posted : 11/25/2007 8:50:57 PM

    I just had my first obedience class tonite and i feel the same as you did. Rory, who sits all the time at home, who sits before a treat before i ask her to, had no idea what sit meant tonite. I was so embarrassed! My trainer also doesnt want us using treats... so for Rory and us, that's gonna be a hard one. It was also her first time in a metal collar and I don't think she much cared for it. She wanted to meet the other dogs, not be 6 feet away. She was also a bit distracted by the skateboarders in the parking lot. Hopefully after a couple times she will be more relaxed. The trainer said she did fine, but I still feel like it was bad. I am really hoping next week will be better!
  • Liesje
    • Gold Top Dog
    Liesje

    Posted : 11/25/2007 9:01:37 PM

    No treats?!?!?!  In all the classes I've taken, the trainers give out treats if you forget them! 
  • spiritdogs
    • Gold Top Dog
    spiritdogs

    Posted : 11/25/2007 9:03:10 PM

    She wanted to meet the other dogs, not be 6 feet away.

    And, at her age, she SHOULD be able to have play time with the other puppies before settling down to work.  That's what I hate about traditional obedience classes - many of them don't address the socialization aspect of puppy development.  If you cannot find a positive trainer who does have this, then please find ways to provide it for your puppy.  Maybe some of the other participants in class would like to form an informal play group in someone's fenced in yard...personally, I don't blame your puppy for hating the choke chain.  Have you ever considered clicker training?  No corrections, play time before class usually, lots of rewards (food, toys, etc., although you will be taught how to properly fade them out so the dog is not food dependent - believe me, my dogs are quite reliable and I don't have to carry a clicker and food around forever - although I do it frequently.)

    If you have been showing your dog a treat before asking her to sit, that is incorrect, and if you do it more than a couple of times, can be considered a bribe.  But, if you simply reward her AFTER the sit, you are simply reinforcing the behavior, and that's OK.

     
  • JRTzoey
    • Gold Top Dog
    JRTzoey

    Posted : 12/3/2007 1:26:52 PM

    Cassidys Mom

    A couple things I've noticed in the numerous classes I've taken over the last few years: In a new environment - new dogs, and place they've never been before, my dogs have tended to be much more distracted in the first class or two, and then gradually got better as they adjusted to the routine and it all became more familiar. Also, the beginning of class is more distracting because everybody is coming in around the same time and it's noisy and hectic. Once all the dogs and people are settled in their spots and class begins, it gets better. You just have to get past that initial rush of excitement, and it really helps to be prepared for it in advance with a plan.


    Good luck, RELAX, and have fun!  

     

     

    thanks for the advice! we have class 3 today, and last week she did well, so i'm hoping this week will be even better!

    what you described about the initial rush and excitement- that's her to a T. so we're gonna show up nice and early and do a few laps of the building outside to get used to the new place.... have a pee maybe haha... and burn a little extra energy off. 

    i'll let you all know how it went!

    thanks for the advice guys, i love to hear what everyone has to say, and different ways to approach things :)

    wish us luck! lol