Wednesday
Aug082012
Class Tonight
Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 5:32PM Got to brush 3 dogs - Panda, Logan and Roxie before class so updates will come later tonight if I just remember my camera and stick this time.
Remembered my stick but too tired to update you other than to say it went well and everyone is improving each time. It is an amazing class - so much fun.
Update on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at 9:57PM by
Darlah
Darlah
Have you seen a more attentive crowd?
Reader Comments (14)
Awwww :)
Best class ever! Scruffs thinks its a playdate, but at least you caught a photo of him paying attention to me at some point. LOL. Didn't think that was possible.
I wish I lived near so I could bring my girlie to the training.
Who's a good boy?!! Scruffy!!!!
Laci's jealous! Wouldn't she have loved to show off for this crowd!
They all look like good obedient students! :-)
There were MANY, Lori of him paying attention. That's all I had time for last night. I come in, take dogs out, feed pups, change out pen, do blog and roll into bed. I think I enjoy the 7pm slot better but this is a good class. I think everyone will improve in it. We always took 2nd level obedience but this new revamped class is part real life and part taking all your commands up another level. I rather like that!
Interesting you say that about the class, Darlah. Roger and I were saying that we find it hard to follow along. It's a bit fast paced for us as newbies, since we have never done anything like this before.. I think because last class we were only 5 dogs with three trainers, we got a lot of one on one help and we found it easier. We are a little lost at times when learning new commands during the class. I switched out with Roger after a while because I needed a break. Scruffy is good with training but I think when we are confused, we confuse him :)
Lori: We have never taken this class either and as you get more advanced and have a base it is assumed you are following unless you ask. Just as I was proactive for Ty, I can do the same for you. You are paying for the class and want your moneys worth, so to speak.
When you switched out you were telling Roger what to do so I thought you got it. But I am not sure Roger understood alligator though a number of us was trying to show him from the sidelines.
The walking between we did was exposure and Scruffy is great at that. As you say he is a play monkey. The leave it - were you confused with that? I can help? We will be glad to do a show it when you come for pickup if that will help. Down from a distance - any confusion? Let us know!
Lori - you're becoming brilliant w/ Scruffy's ponytail.
Darlah - looked at the photos of Sparky. He has Abigail's face, don't you think? Another pretty boy.
Sparky just arrived and I will have to really look at him as he has Kat's colouring and would have thought he looked like Kat. He reminds me of Ty and Ty is Kat and Treasure. But Treasure and Abigail are related. It's not that I haven't really looked - I have to decide who he looks like more. hahahaha
PS: Kat is a very pretty boy.
You know Darlah, I understand when i sit and listen but when I'm trying to watch, listen, and control Scruffs it gets a bit tiring and I just needed a break at one point. I thought Scruffs was great with leave it, he caught on quickly and he really responded to the clicker for that exercise. The alligator one I tried with Scruffs today, he got it on the first try, so I guess he learned it enough in class. The hard part sometimes is holding the leash and doing signals and holding treats all at once. We will make sure to ask questions next class if we are confused :)
Thanks Debi :). Scruffs is getting much better at letting me do it!
Lori - I do think it takes time to coordinate and choreograph, for lack of a better way to articulate. Some of the commands where you step back, pivot, do hand signal w/ right hand, reward w/ left hand, etc. (Not to mention remembering to use the clicker.) It takes time. Hilda made fun of herself and demonstrated how she did one command quite sloppily and how smoothly she now does it. I think one or some of us looked quite awkward (maybe me? LOL) I think Doug and I were quite comical, b/c when it was his turn, he'd always forget the clicker and I was commonly heard reminding him, Use the clicker! :-) We're still working on this, but not enough I don't think. Long story short - I get what you're saying.
It sounds like Scruffs is getting it and yes when we first did classes, I found the coordination a tad difficult and then you get used to it and its one more thing not to think about. That's the key getting comfie with something so much that you just do and don't think about it. This way you can concentrate on the new.
Think about the process of riding a bike.
Personally, I think Scruffs is amazing and easier to deal with than Roxie who is just like her mom was in class. I have had enough - is is done? You want me to do THAT again? yawn... But we persevered and it made her a better dog. Abigail has been through 3 levels of obedience despite her feeling it was all a yawn. She felt that way in the ring too. Nathan had to show Fiona in the ring so we put Abigail on a handler one show and he said she refused to stand. She refused to look at him. He told us he had thoughts that this was going to be a joke. Once she started into the ring, she had a bounce, she did everything right and won. I forgot to tell him she has no patience for training before going into the ring. She was a dog that 20 minutes in handling class was enough and anymore she would shut down.
What we have learned over the years is different things motivate different types of dogs and you have to find what gets them motivated. There is ALWAYS something. The ones that are food and toy motivated - EASY. For Kat it was simply praise in the ring that would make him prance. Got to find what floats their boat so to speak and exploit it. When you do find it they will love you for it even more!
I think Scruffs loves praise and being the center of attention. When people are all watching him, he loves to perform :) thats a Teaser trait I'm sure!