Training Laugh!

[frau]

I knew today was coming, and I'm glad it's over.
I have had a trainer come to the house for a few private lessons, waiting until she had enough folks together for a class. Gypsy works so well here, alert, quick responses, quick to learn. But I knew that this was all for nought, if she couldn't do anything around distracting dogs in a strange setting.
Today was the first day for dogs. Last week was dogless introduction (which I had already gotten in the private lessons).
The trainer is great, and has a Rotti herself. She enjoys helping with Gypsy. So, she was fairly understanding when, in one of many attempts to reach the yapping Cocker Gypsy lunged and dragged my rather substantial self onto the ground on my stomach, into freshly cut grass!
So we made a few alterations: I used her leathr training lead and we let my (former) puny nylon lead dangle on the ground--to be stepped on in the event of lunge.
Ha-ha-ha. What a Rotti can't do when she wants to. The second time the scenario was identical with the exception of the dangling lead. I was trying to load treats into the treat bag (while standing on one lead and holding the other & the bag?!?) when off she went again. I must have been quite a sight, TWICE no less.
I must say that she never got away from me. I was determined to hold on to the lead for dear life and did. Thank goodness we were separated from the Cocker by about 20 feet.
I knew I would have a time getting her accustomed to a paddock full of strange dogs, but certainly didn't expect to provide the evening's entertainment!
And, do you know--not one of the other owners laughed out loud. I can only imagine how comical looked.
Glad it's over--and we got our own leather lead and a Gentle Leader at the end of class.

Now I know this must have happened to someone else!?!

Frau
http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif Still laughing at myself

[WorkinDogz]

Frau http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif Aren't dogs WONDERFUL!! They always seem to "know" just when you're slightly off balance or not paying close enough attention before they "perform" their stunts. Gotta love 'em! http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

Only one story (that I am willing to tell; and ONLY because it's on video http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif )

November 89. Morning of the 3rd leg of Blackstar's CDX (which incidently; he got the 2nd leg the day before with a 197 1/2; and his first was a 198...so he was on-target for a Dog World Award if he passed the 3rd leg with the style and grace of the other 2..) Well...I was with a friend (who we always went to shows together; and she KNEW HOW to party!) and we had a "little bit" too much fun the night before http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/rolleyes.gif and I woke up just a bit late in the morning.

Typically; I'd play with Star for 15 or 20 mins. before we'd trial. This day; I didn't have the time! We were JUST going to make it to the show. Potty and go kind of morning.

All was going well...until....the recall. That dog got "the look". I knew that look. It was the look he'd give me RIGHT BEFORE he'd play his favorite game of "grab mom around the waist and toss her down". Well...I said "Here"...he said "SURE!" and in he came. Down I went, his tail wagging; he's growling and playing (we're IN the ring keep in mind..) and the RING STEWARD is calling the PARAMEDICS because he THINKS I'm being MAULED BY MY DOG!

NEEDLESS to say; I'm covered with GSD slobber and hair; the judge (Sally Ann Comstock..will never forget her) was white as a sheet....the Ring Steward is busy directing the Ambulance and the crowd is laughing ALMOST as hard as I was.

Oh...he didn't get his 3rd leg that day..but he did have a BLAST. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/cool.gif

And there you have it. Caught on tape. LOL http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif

[Leahjean]

Loved the stories,just wish I could've been there,it probably would have been twice as funny..I've seen people dragged thru' the grass..My daughter in a wheelchair,when we lived in town and had a sidewalk,the same Doberman who did the above,was walking with her so well,until she saw a cat,took off down the walk,Madonna didn't let go,so picture that,I yelled for her to "LET GO" which she did,then I laughed 'till I couldn't breathe,Was so glad she was OK,but to see it is always better..I hope she doesn't see this,my kids hate for me to tell their stories,but I could write a book with my material from those two!!!! Thanks for sharing,maybe others will follow???? JEAN

[judy v]

I had Jason on leash for a walk one early spring day; of course this was in his younger days when he was a pretty powerful guy, usually polite, but powerful. We had had a big snow storm a couple of days before. Here it warms in the afternoon, melts the snow, then freezes in what is often close-to-zero temps. The result can be a few inches of clear ice. Anyway, Mr. Polite and I are having our morning walk when out of nowhere pops Mr. Ground Squirrel. Now I realize we all have our weaknesses, and squirrels happen to be Jay's. The squirrel takes off, Jason takes off, and I hang on. Talk about a wild ride! What I want to know is how come we can't get traction, but they can? I'd have sworn he was wearing studded snow tires. Talk about four-wheel drive! I finally grabbed a bush, and managed to get us stopped. We no longer walk in snow-melt-freeze conditions.

[Carol Burke]

We were heading from the parking lot to the area where our classes are held. I had my CDX dog and my CD dog on a coupler (pretty stupid) about three quarters of the way down the dirt drive they spot another dog who is a favorite of theirs. Off they go, down I go, dragged for about 10 feet, talk about road rash.

I think it happens to all of us at one time or another, as long as you don't let go no one will dare laugh!!

------------------
Carol
Darrlburg Rottweilers

[Nancy Estes]

Years ago my obedience Rottie, Fenix, got a first place, 195, for his 3rd CDX leg under a very tough judge. After taking the picture she was complimenting him & telling me what a wonderful working dog he was... He evidently got carried away with all the praise 'cause he then decided to try to breed her! http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/redface.gif (And he was neutered...)

Nancy

------------------
von Dorow Rottweilers

[judy v]

Okay, Nancy, you win! But the big question is, "Did anyone laugh?"

[damp]

There is nothing more releasing than a good laugh at our selves.

This story is about one of my Boxers:
I usually bicycle my dogs to build up muscles and condition. Before starting cycling, I ALWAS take my dog to the forest for a walk to warm up and do the business. Also this fateful day, all the routine work was done before Theo and I started our exercise. He was a REAL runner, LOVED it, and was best for a speed about 9 miles/hour. But this day he seemed a little unconcentrated. We were cycling uphill…. The next I remember, was Theo licking me in the face, and someone saying: “Did you hurt yourself”?… and I was looking into a strange man’s eyes. “Noooooooooooo”, I said. The man told me, suddenly Theo had sat down, to do his business…(diarrhoea) and I was thrown up in the air and turned a backward somersault, but the landing was nothing to boast of.
Moral: Never bicycle a dog with stomachache. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif

Please Workingdogz: No smarts remarks concerning bicycling. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[WorkinDogz]

Damp....ROFLMAOOOOO http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif

Ok...I WON'T say anything like NOW YOU KNOW WHY I HIRE PEOPLE TO BIKE MY DOGS....LMAO! http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif

[frau]

I told my story to a friend at work who has a Borzoi. She recounted being bumped on her rump down train tracks while Sheba chased a squirrel. The story hurt to listen to!

Frau
http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/biggrin.gif
PS--We are working diligently on being accustomed to the Gentle Leader. Wonder what the stunt will be next week?

[mscez]

Luke, 1 yr. old now, needs practice daily on his basic obedience commands. We walk up to the elementary school, about 4 blocks away, and along one side of the portables there is a nice stretch of grass with some trees lining the chain-link fence that surrounds the grounds.

Well, we'd been up and down and back up the stretch of grass, and I put him into a down under the shade of the nearest tree. We were both just sitting there, bothering no one, he panting, me sweating (it was quite warm already in the morning.)

Along the sidewalk (outside the fence) came an elderly lady (~70 I'd guess) with her old dog that looked like a cocker spaniel. She eyed me, I spotted her & just gave her a friendly "hello."

Well, I guess that was the clue Luke was waiting for. He decided that I was lax and it was just the right time to lunge for the other dog. He pulled, and I didn't get my hand tightened around the handle of the retractible leash quite fast enough.

He wrenched my arm, pulled the leash loose, and took off. The old lady started screaming like there was a rape in progress http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/rolleyes.gif and she and her dog took off running! My Luke is over at the fence by now (with the leash bouncing around smacking him!) and I ran and caught him without incident to the other dog.

I felt awful, not only for the dog getting loose and scaring the poor woman, but also had a terrible pain from the wrenched arm!! It's been about a week now, and it's just now starting to feel better. (I think I had "whiplash" from being wrenched so hard.) My shoulder, arm, ribcage, and neck were stiff and sore.

It taught me a good lesson though. Always, ALWAYS be vigilent with the grip on his leash! Now when we see another dog coming, I tighten the grip I have and brace for pulling. (Next purchase I make at the feed store is going to be a harness to help me with his control.)




------------------
Connie Z. & Luke
(MsCEZ)