training session was a blast

[debbiej]

Since I am paying through the nose for boris' private lessons, I thought I'd share the experience.

After a bit of obedience warm up, we did some intesting things. some exercises and a combination of obedience and agility.

The trainer's 'classroom' is a large fenced area. It is full of the most amazing assortment of stuff. one side is adjoins a neighbor's yard with a dog in it.

So Boris is let off lead. I am to sit in a chair in one corner of the yard. praise if he comes to me. Then I am to walk across the yard to another chair and sit. If he comes across the yard to me, I am to praise. But not to call or act interested in what he is doing, and to ignore him unless he gives me attention. The trainer walks around him, kind of intimidating him, to encourage him to look for me, and when he comes to me, I praise. If he looks at me even, I praise. After a while of me walking away from him, he begin to follow me where ever I went. We walked by the fence with the dog, and he followed me past the dog--off lead!

then she had me send him through two tunnels, then come front and do steps back and then to heel position. I'm getting taught how to cue with foot and hand, and he loves to run through the tunnels! as he came out of one tunnel heading for another, she would toss a toy across his path, and I was amazed to see him only glance at it before running on into the second tunnel. We practiced a few jumps then she had me sit him at the front of a jump and call him over 6 jumps then come to the table. these jumps were in kind of a long narrow fenced chute and I was outside the fence. he went over all of them, then ran over to me and jumped on the table. I loved working with him off lead, and at one point, the next door dog poked his head through the fence and looked at boris, who looked back, looked away and awaited my command to 'go over'

most of this was to build my confidence in controlling him off lead, I know. But I couldn't believe him. I said 'someone has to have done this with him before'. She said, no he's just real smart and loves to work.

[gnwhite]

good dog Boris!!! how old is he?? sounds like you too have a good bond with each other and have alot of fun.








norma

[MonteRiehl]

All Right Debbie and Boris! Way to go!
Now go get some sleep!

[debbiej]

HA! I am still awake!
Boris is probably around 2 yrs old. he was a stray that I sprung from the animal shelter, so we can only guess.

[miccmill]

Wow, that all sounds like excellent training. Boris IS smart and loves to work.

He's getting a lot of interesting stuff to think about and he's smart enough to pick right up on what's going to be rewarded.

The chair excersises sould like modified "Choose to Heel" method which many members have used and produces fast, positive results.

[BostonRott]

Wonderful!!!! Sounds like you finally have a trainer who knows what they're doing, and isn't afraid of a dog with some drive. Congrats!

[ACERSMOM]

This sounds like a great training program for your boy and he has responded in a very positive way!

[mrsgrubby]

Loved reading about your session. Please keep us updated!! I found it very intersting.