boris' class

[debbiej]

WOW. I hope the post isn't too long. By the end of our lesson I was walking boris 2' from her dog and he stayed down while she walked her dog by. she walked beside us and behind us. I'm sure some people would not agree with her methods, but I do.

We talked a while, I really like her philosophy, especially about rotties. Then she had me walk boris with prong collar on loose and long lead. wordlessly pop if he wandered or pulled. we did that a while then she used different distractions--fake cat on a string, ball etc. and I did the pop to keep him walking loose. after she gauged his general level of training, and response to these distractions, she had me put him on a lead attatched to a bolt in the wall. plenty of room to laydown etc.

then we had a discussion about correction, emotion and nerves (mine, not the dogs) I'd told her I felt my tension was a problem. so we picked a word that means "your end is near if you keep this up" and she gave me two plastic bottles. then she said she was going to get one of her dogs to be the 'victim' and when boris lunged I was to correct and bop him with the bottles until he stopped looking, using the word and letting him know that I wouldn't tolerate it.

after about 20 minutes and many different distractions, he got to the point where he would wag his nub and look at me when her dog came near.

then he got off the wall lead, and she told me walk him just like at the first. to my utter amazement, boris did not lunge, growl, bark or pay any attention to her dogs.

She loves Boris, she said he is a beautiful, well bred old style rottie with really fine drive and you could tell she was really tickled with his progress. She said he would be a great schutzhund dog. She loves rotties, understands them and I am very relieved and happy. she complimented the job I've done with him in 5 months, and said Hilda could do agility if we adjusted the jump height. In fact her agility class was coming in as we left. Boris sat in the jeep calmly watching the dogs come in.
HAHAHAHA the tension is gone!!

[Bucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by debbiej

Boris sat in the jeep calmly watching the dogs come in.
HAHAHAHA the tension is gone!!

Good for you! (And Boris) - sounds like you are continuing on your way - I am so proud of your determination

[Judi W]

hahaha yourself! Always said this was a good dog.

[debbiej]

And I believed you!! I'm just delighted with him right now. I'm sure he is far from where he will be, but it was wonderful to make so much progress.

[flyballmom]

WAHOOO! This sounds all too familiar...in a good sort of way...that WORKS! Good job Debbie. Before you know it you're gonna have a dog that can do anything YOU want!

[HerculesMomma]

Muchos congratulations! That sounds like a loooot of progress in a very short period of time. Only more good things can come yet. It must be so nice to find a trainer you click with and is so helpful. Give Boris some extra butt scritches!

[LynnS]

That made my day. Good job for sticking with it and I am sure that this dog will teach you tons!

[lblax]

well what did i tell ya

[miccmill]

Wow Debbie, this is great! Good boy Boris!

You guys will be a star team. Can't wait to hear more.

[debbiej]

just got back from Hilda's class. it was SO hard not to tell everyone about boris' 'other' trainer. maybe later. the new trainer felt he should not go watch class for a while, and I agree. I'm sure we can't be bopping him with empty milk jugs in public.

thanks again for all the advice and support!