I need a kick in the backside

[LynnS]

Tonight Bella and I started a class designed to prepare your dog for the CGC.

I actually decided this was the "right" class for us because even though she understands and obeys many commands, we are at the proofing stage and we need to work in a very distracting environment as the next step.

Well outside of providing distraction, based on what was laid out to us tonight, this class is going to be pretty boring - no new behaviors for us

Most of the class was spent evaluating your dogs skillset. The evaluater asked me how long Bella would stay in a sit stay - I said about a minute. She asked at what distance. I said I can leave the room at home (no distractions) - She asked if I wanted to try it there - I said sure. We did it no problem (I was actually surprised). Same with every other thing on the darn sheet. I was depressed LOL

At 9 mnths old I think she is to young for a novice ob class - did I screw up and pick the wrong class? Unfortunately they don't offer anything more advanced in the obedience arena -

Should I just look at it as a way to polish these basic skills with major distraction and adjust my attitude?

I can still introduce more advance skills outside the class.

[DNeff]

Originally posted by LynnS
Well outside of providing distraction, based on what was laid out to us tonight, this class is going to be pretty boring - no new behaviors for us

Working on proofing and adding distractions to all of your exercises is very important, and this class will provide a great oppurtunity for that.

Unfortunately there will be many times where you don't learn anyting "new", but you build and improve everything you have. To me that is much more important to your long term training.

Since you have many of the skill sets required, I would work on teaching some tricks during class and perhaps teaching more formal obedience exercises (different finishes, etc...) also working on attention and heeling is always a very very good option! Just warn the instructor up front and make sure they are ok with that.

I don't feel that 9 months is too young for a novice obedience class, however don't work the entire hour of class. Make sure you are breaking a more difficult class (ie novie obed) in to many short training sessions with lots of play and tricks between them. I would explain to the instructor you may be taking interment breaks to play with her so that she doesen't get too burnt out or bored in a serious class.

Dawn
U-CD Cammcastle's Mystic Riven CDX OAC OGC NA NAJ NJC TT CGC
http://members.aol.com/dplantier
http://members.aol.com/rottweilerworld

[Bucky's Mom]

Should I just look at it as a way to polish these basic skills with major distraction and adjust my attitude?

YES - next question :D

Actually Bucky has been enrolled in at LEAST 5 or 6 intermediate or beginner classes over time - that usually makes him the "ringer" so far as looking more advanced than the rest of the class :) - I use the "obedience challenged" classmates as even GREATER distractions I expect him to ignore. If the Maroon hyper Labrador next to us insists on breaking sit stays for the whole 6 weeks - GREAT!! - Bucky has learned that he is STILL expected to STAY!!
JMHO

[LynnS]

Thank you both for your responses - I am seeing the light - Dawn great idea about mixing in play - Even in this class she is by far the youngest...

[LORHEL]

Lynn, I'm in the same situation right now... as far as Makita has been there and done that, went through a basic obedience class, has gotten her CGC at rottstock, and now we are working towards getting into the visiting dogs program.

Hence, we have to start out with all the newbie folks in a beginner class, which if we pass, then we move on the the visiting dogs class.

I feel kind of out of place mostly because makita is 3.5 years old and these are 6-months to 1 year old dogs...:(

I don't think we are above any of the basic things, and she can always use the exercise and doggie environment, so we'll tough this out and hopefully not have any problems and move on to more challenging work.

Good luck with your girl. :D I agree with the others...

P.S. I've already adjusted my attitude towards the snappy old cronie at the check in table....:p she apologized for being "short" with me, but the phrase, you're the one with the rottweiler...

[LynnS]

Thanks Lorhel

I actually got a bit of Rottweiler attitude last night until the pitbull and Great Pyrenese (spelling) showed up =)

The distraction factor in and of itself is good. Bella is signed up for a Competetion novice ob class in April with a really fun instructor so this is a good warm up. Believe me I have no idea when we will actually be ready to go in the ring but I want to keep the learning process going...

[LORHEL]

[ Believe me I have no idea when we will actually be ready to go in the ring but I want to keep the learning process going... [/b][/quote]

Well good luck with it when you do get started, I'm sure Sandy (Mojave's mom) can show you a few tricks...;)

[Mojave's Mom]

Hey Lynn,

Well I still personally would recommend you hook up with a training club where you can work Novice work, but at a slower pace (if that's what you'd like to do.) Nine months is not too young, in my opinion. Both Kaiya and Mojave were in Novice by the time they were 6months old and they turned out ok :) ;)

If you still don't want to do that, how about you come out and meet up with us at the next match next month on April 6th (same place in Hayward) and watch me and Kaiya and Glenn and Diablo in the pre-novice ring. That way you can see exactly how the Novice pattern works (and watch the real Novice class perform as well) and start working on those patterns to help prepare you and Bella.

By the way, SF Training Club is putting on a match in Hayward in May we've signed up for as well. Perhaps then would be a good time for you to go talk to the club members in case you DO decide to join a club. I'm not sure where they train, facility-wise, but I'm sure if you ran a search online you might come up with something. I can give you the secretary's name and phone number if you wish.

Bottom line, don't stop ANY kind of training now and yes get out there with lots of distractions. Maybe add on some heeling work as she's getting bigger and stronger every day. And that one year mark is coming soon...so get a handle on her before the potential for anything to go wrong does (not saying it will, you guys are a great team! ) :D :D

[LynnS]

Thanks for the advice Sandy

There is a comp ob class starting in April that I am going to enroll her in. San Francisco Training Club is a huge mystery club LOL - and pretty decentralized I believe but I would love to go to the fun match in any event. I am going to stick with this class, although the trainer isn't all that impressive, just for the practice and distraction.

I would love to work more on healing - but first need to get rid of that LIMP - can't wait to see the specialist Tuesday...

[TrishB]

I'll be following in your footsteps Lynn. Parker and I are starting our Obedience Level 1 class on the 25th. I emailed the group and they seemed to think this would be the best class for us.

For dogs older than 20 weeks who have completed puppy classes and those with no previous obedience course training. This class focuses on teaching and improving your dog’s basic training, such as come, loose leash walking, sit, down, stand, stay and heel. Instructors are available for help with individual problems. A 6 ft. leather leash is included if one was not received in puppy class.

It seems a little basic for Parker to me - he's already pretty solid in all of the above. But it's a good warm up again (we've been out of classes since November, allowing the pocket book to recover from Christmas).

I'll be attending a show at the end of April that also has an obedience trial. I've never had the chance to just sit and watch one! So I'm looking forward to getting an idea if it's something that Parker and I would be interested in doing. :)

[mickeymichellie]

Have fun with the class. Most instructors are flexible and will let you work on other things when the dogs gets bored, or if it is too easy for you. Poor Xander has to put up with my crazy ideas: I love to practice in puppy classes. All the little puppies zooming around are a great distraction, and it shows the owners that people working there really do know how to train their dogs (plus the rottie factor). He was in a begining class around 6 months, and intermediate at around 9 months, and he did great.

[LynnS]

Thanks Trish and MickeyMichelle,

I think I let my ego get in the way a bit - When I looked at the homework assignment (teach your dog to finish on your left from the front position...build a distraction hierarchy etc...I rolled my eyes because we have already done this) So What!!! As I said to Joel I am reading far to many training books LOL! In any case at the end of this intermediate level class we will start a competition level class and I am sure when she hits 18 mnths we will be back to square one anyway - it's all about learning at this point and understanding what makes her tick (or not)...maybe Bella will hate comp ob anyway who knows...

BTW we are using a target stick and an "Alley Oops" stationary target as a luring tool and to direct her to a certain spot, object etc...it is so cool - once they learn a "touch" command you can transfer it to anything...I also find that I can fade the cue much faster (for some strange reason). OK off to the gym...

[alexav]

Hey Lynn,
If repeating exercises and being in a lower level training class than you think your dog needs were a bad thing, my dogs would all be ruined. :D

I have used my dogs to teach beginner classes time after time after time......Hell, Bree's been through basic probably 50 times?

I look at it this way....

No matter what your goals for the future are, you need a solid foundation. Practice makes perfect and perfect practice is even better! Get those "boring old exercises" ROCK SOLID before moving on. While the others are teaching thier dogs for the first time, you improve your dog's performance by asking for more and better, faster and straighter, longer and more focused etc....Don't worry that the other students might think you're showing off...You're paying for the class, do what you need to do to get the most out of it. Besides, what's the harm in them thinking you and Bella are just really really smart!:D

BTW, time to stop being a Pez dispenser and start being a slot machine on those "boring OLD exercises".:p

[LynnS]

Thanks AlexaV

agreed about the slot machine approach and everything else. I need to slow down, take a deep breath and start proofing all the things I have taught her. I also realize that beacuse she is limping, we are not getting her out enough and in my area a walk is one huge distraction (I live in the city) - today we practiced sit stays in the middle of pedestrian foot traffic (well not in the middle but you get my drift) The goals I have for us are very long term and if I do not take a chill pill we will both burn out...as always you have and everyone else has been a huge help. My husband is flat out amazed because I actually TAKE people advice:D

[alexav]

Originally posted by LynnS
My husband is flat out amazed because I actually TAKE people advice:D

Well MG woman, how do you think WE feel?:D :D :D