So much better!!!

jumba

Forums Enthusiast
Our second class was sooooooooo much better. We practiced several times a day since last week. We bought a different collar (a choke but trainer found the extra small we bought was still too big) to try last night and it worked better, but the trainer brought an extra small limited slip for us to try if we hadn't picked up a different martingale. Her normal martingale is custom made, and I got it for the purpose of her not backing out of her collar. So, not obedience ring worthy, lol.

The one she brought us too was still big but she wanted us to try that for the week, she thinks it might do the trick. We special ordered an 8-10" limited slip last night for next week. No leash pops.

Addie nailed her sits - both on verbal and hand signal, and hand signal alone (we have been practicing that for a while...way before classes started). She nailed her lay down. Verbal and hand signal for a refresher, then just hand signal. The other trainer was seriously impressed.

We practiced our sit stay. Addie is used to being in front of me, facing me, so from the heel position she was a little lost but she did great! I didn't know we could use the word stay if our dog knew it, so once she told us we could, it worked out much better. Trainer used her as a demo dog, because there is another soft dog in the class. Addie knows and loves this trainer, so I had no issue with her working together. Trainer wanted to show how to get their dog to do the stay, in an alternate way. Addie did great :)

Her heel was much better. But the loose leash...not so much. The other trainer said that by week 3 or 4 it will just hit her and she will nail it.

No hiding, no accidents, afterwards...just a tired, good girl.
 
Yep, that sounds like my second day of Obedience class. My first day was much like yours also. Very frustrated and I felt like Cleo was making me look like a fool. Worked with her for that entire week and impressed everyone the second week of class. My issue was also part of a food issue. But anyway, this is great that she is finally doing better. Less stress and more fun time. Keep up the good work and maybe she will become "best in class." She may surprise you. Cleo did for me. :wink2:

Tonight, we start Intermediate Obedience class so I may be going through another round of the first day blues... New people and new dogs = no attention span. :lol:
 
there's no reason you can't use her normal martingale in the ring- unless you just want to use a different collar.

I have martingales for all four shelties for rally and obedience.

I knew y'all would be fine this week- first day nerves......
 
Her normal martingale you can fit two or three fingers under when tight. It is just enough so she can't back out, but doesn't have the same kind of contact they are looking for in this class. I ordered it bigger because I was expecting her to grow more, but she didnt. Her regular flat buckle collar is 10" and that we can fit two fingers comfortably under. What they are looking for is to have 1 finger fit comfortably when tight to give her better feeling of what I am trying to communicate through the leash.

Cleo2014 - I am sure you guys will do great! We had a session in scent class to figure out what treat makes our dogs excited. We set out a line of about 15 kinds of treats and found she went for meatballs first. So, when training something new we use thawed out frozen meatballs. That is her highest prized treat. She will work for hot dogs or cheese next, and then the Red Barn/Natural Balance rolls if she had to, and kibble or soft treats on a hit or miss. So, if you guys are still having food issues, try the meatballs!
 
Cleo2014 - I am sure you guys will do great! We had a session in scent class to figure out what treat makes our dogs excited. We set out a line of about 15 kinds of treats and found she went for meatballs first. So, when training something new we use thawed out frozen meatballs. That is her highest prized treat. She will work for hot dogs or cheese next, and then the Red Barn/Natural Balance rolls if she had to, and kibble or soft treats on a hit or miss. So, if you guys are still having food issues, try the meatballs!

We figured out Cheese was something that sparked her interest. However class was 2 hours long and part of it was outside. Let's just say the cheese became a little messy after a while. I may have to look into meatballs. That is a great idea. I never thought to lay out several kinds of foods to see what she would go for first. Actual dog treats and kibble never really worked for her. She is stubborn. Her take on everything is if you are making her work, she better get something good out of it.
 
So glad this week went better for you!

We figured out Cheese was something that sparked her interest. However class was 2 hours long and part of it was outside. Let's just say the cheese became a little messy after a while. I may have to look into meatballs. That is a great idea. I never thought to lay out several kinds of foods to see what she would go for first. Actual dog treats and kibble never really worked for her. She is stubborn. Her take on everything is if you are making her work, she better get something good out of it.

Cruz gets steak in high distraction environments (ie. crowded, noisy, parks or agility trials). I warm it up before we go so the smell is stronger and it usually works like a charm :yes: In class, we use a mix of kibble (low), hot dog (medium) and tuna fudge (high). This way, he never knows what he is going to get so usually he works pretty well.. never know when you're gonna get that tuna! We emphasized work ethic when he was young though. If you're not going to focus and work, you get put in a crate and get to watch other dogs have fun - especially not fun when he's at agility class. OR you watched mom have fun with your toys all by herself (yes, embarrassing when I had to do this at a park with people around :uhoh:)
 
Glad your second class went better than the first. Keep up the training and good work and she'll be the star of the class for sure.

She is stubborn. Her take on everything is if you are making her work, she better get something good out of it.

:lol: That sounds like my CJ!
 
Back
Top