Round Two of Basic Obedience

[jakesfostermom]

Bryant & I are starting our second round of basic obedience next Wednesday. Our trainer approved us to advance, but we have LOTS of opportunity in perfecting our ability to handle distractions, so "I" opted for us to repeat basic......SOOOO I did this 'repeat' thinking the class would be as large as the previous (12 owner/dog teams) and we had orientation last night and there are only THREE of us in class but I'm thinking on the flip side, maybe we will each get TONS of one on one time with the trainer and we can work on specific opportunities rather than so much "group work".........I don't know the "dog makeup" yet - so keep your fingers crossed that at least ONE of the dogs is from the toy group, and the owner has the skin of a rottweiler owner, and they will be willing to 'help' us work on our approach of small dogs on lead......I can hope right?

[spoiledbabies3]

Hi Vicki...Congrats to you and Bryant! He won't know the difference in the class...Moses and I also did a repeat earlier this year and it really paid off. He became much more confident and much less "agressive" with the other dogs. Our 1st class had about 10 ppl but our 2nd class only had 5...it was GREAT! He was able to relax more and concentrate on working! We just completed our 2nd level of obedience last night, our 3rd class and it only had 3 in it...and he was pre-tested for his CGC...he passed ALL obstacles, but I'm still not sure whether or not to try for the test on Oct 29th... Our trainer is awesome and I am very lucky because she herself owns an Aussie that is a "problem child" like Moses...she too is "dog aggressive"...so the trainer has really been able to give me LOTS of pointers in the class and they have helped tremendously. I was very proud of Moses last night, because another dog became very "possessive" over the toys/food being used in our "leave it" practice...to the point of lunging and continually barking. Moses responded with an initial lunge but as soon as I said "look at me"...he immediately changed focus and never looked back. Trainer and I were both thrilled at his progress...1st class he was lunging at every dog in sight to this class 1 lunge and then total focus...maybe one day we will get to focus only!My trainer stepped in front of the other dog because his owner/handler didn't know how to handle this new aggression. Even though the other dog continued to bark, whine and lunge at him...Moses kept looking at me as if to say "mom, can you PLEAZZZZE shut her up!" It felt so very good...it solidified my decision to repeat a class when I knew he needed additional training....go with your gut...you and Bryant will both be better because of it!

BTW...I'm presuming your going to Rob Cary Pet Resort...maybe one of these days we will actually meet! It looks like my next level of training, whether it be rally, agility or both will need to come from there as my trainer has very limited classes...I love her but I have to continue forward with the gang! Any recommendations on a particular trainer there?

[jakesfostermom]

Arlene - thanks for the kind words - we 'really' need this repeat class so I hope we have the experience you and Moses have had! Yes - we are at Rob Cary Pet Resort and Gary O. is our trainer, and he was just promoted this past month to their training director. I love him - he has about 15 years of pit bull rescue and training the "behavior challenges" related to that breed, so I knew going in that he could help us with our specific areas of opportunity. He's GREAT........I only know one other trainer there and she is good as well - but I can really tell that Gary's large breed experience is beneficial to us in class! I also like that he's not the least bit shy about walking up to an owner and saying "if I was your dog, I wouldn't be doing anything you asked either..." and he then explains to them why.......he is willing to stay after class or arrange a one on one class if you need it. He has been SOOO good to Bryant & I - using Bryant as demo's and really complimentary of how far he came in five short weeks! He was a rooty pootie at the first couple of classes ........but really settled in and started listening after week three! Gary just explained at orientation last night that here in SA, competitive obedience is losing some appeal to agility & flyball, so they are changing their classes to accomodate that shift in interest.........

[spoiledbabies3]

Thanks for the "heads up" Vicki...we will be looking into further classes...and maybe see you there! Hopefully, Moses will show his "good side" instead of being a "toot". I will check and see what is offered...good luck in class and keep us posted on Bryant's progress!