And here I was expecting to get a lecture for not doing enough homework on Sadie's training, instead we got an extra award at "graduation" for her heeling! An award was given to the top two dogs for heeling, Sadie took 2nd place. She was only beaten out by a beautiful Irish Setter who is on his second consecutive beginners class. Apparently it was a close race for second though, between Sadie and the other Bella. Trainer guy (who is an actual AKC certified judge) had to call his wife to come help him decide, but in the end Sadie was the one who got the award! I'm so proud of her!
I was also nervous about her stand for examination but she actually did very well. She stood on command with only a little prompting and though she slightly ducked when Trainer Guy approached to touch her she did stand still and let him touch her head, shoulders and butt, however she took one step forward as he walked away. He said if we were in competition that would have been a score of about 25/30. Not too bad as far as I'm concerned!
Once again she did a beautiful recall, she only sat slightly off to the right probably worth a point or two off but nothing major. She finished nicely around behind me with a small amount of guidance from the leash and she came to a perfect sit in heel position.
During the group exercises right at the end of the sit/stay she started to lie down, which in competition would be an NQ but I'm happy that she at least didn't try to get up and move! Her down/stay was perfect!
Overall it was an awesome night! Sadie did me proud and proved that you can indeed "teach an old dog new tricks"!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
A little bit of progress
Yesterday my neighbor lady and I took the girls to the park for a walk and afterward I was able to work on Sadie's training a bit. I figured out that her issues with the "stay" arise mainly when someone is walking behind her.
To work on this I had neighbor lady take Bella and just walk around us in circles while Sadie practiced her "stay". The first sit and down were terrible, every time they got around behind her she moved to spin around and watch them. By the second "stay" we made some progress, she would turn her head to watch them but at least her butt and feet stayed in place.
Actually this was a great exercise for both of the girls. It helped reinforce the "stay" for Sadie and it was good for Bella to be walking with someone else other than me - actually I'm quite proud at how beautifully she walked for neighbor lady.
I also worked on the "recall" Sadie did three beautiful recalls. She has no problem with this exercise!
Anyway Sadie still has a long way to go with learning the "stand" and the "stand for examination", I have a feeling that, unless I get really lucky, these exercises will not go over too well during tomorrow nights "final exam" in class. LOL and I'm sure I'll get harped on by trainer guy about working with her on these more. Oh well. At least I'll have a few months to get her ready for that intermediate class.
To work on this I had neighbor lady take Bella and just walk around us in circles while Sadie practiced her "stay". The first sit and down were terrible, every time they got around behind her she moved to spin around and watch them. By the second "stay" we made some progress, she would turn her head to watch them but at least her butt and feet stayed in place.
Actually this was a great exercise for both of the girls. It helped reinforce the "stay" for Sadie and it was good for Bella to be walking with someone else other than me - actually I'm quite proud at how beautifully she walked for neighbor lady.
I also worked on the "recall" Sadie did three beautiful recalls. She has no problem with this exercise!
Anyway Sadie still has a long way to go with learning the "stand" and the "stand for examination", I have a feeling that, unless I get really lucky, these exercises will not go over too well during tomorrow nights "final exam" in class. LOL and I'm sure I'll get harped on by trainer guy about working with her on these more. Oh well. At least I'll have a few months to get her ready for that intermediate class.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Suddenly Shy?
I'm not quite sure what was up last night but it was definately not our best night. For some reason Sadie was very tense and was acting more like Bella, being all shy and afraid. The only thing I can think was that it has been windy, maybe the weather had her on edge?
Since next week is our last class, kind of a "graduation", this week we spent most of class reviewing everything. She did the heeling exercises OK, though she was a bit distracted and I caught her lagging on our turns a few times. But she broke every single stay last night, like really broke, not just moved a few inches but totally got up and tried to walk away the other direction - its a good thing we were all onleash! She moved out of one sit stay, two down stays and a stand stay! Mostly she broke when Trainer Guy approached to walk by and once when he was trying to call her to him (he does this on purpose to see if they are going to listen to the handler or just anyone - they should only listen to their handler).
On a more positive note she did two beautiful recalls and this time I didn't get accused of baiting her with treats. She also did fairly well with the new exercise which was the "finish", I think this is one of my favorite exercises because it looks awesome when the dog is siting in front of you until you give the command to "finish" or "heel" (I use the latter) and the get up, walk to the right around behind you and come to a sit in heel position. I remember teaching this to Bella, thinking that she'd never get it but then being so proud when she began to do it on her own beautifully. No doubt Sadie will pick up on it and be doing it on her own soon as well. Even though we as a class never learned the "Swing" command I've been working her on it and she already almost does this on her own. "Swing" is the exact opposite of the "finish" or "heel", it's where they swing their butts around to the left and sit in heel position, instead of walking around to the right and behind you. Both exercises look pretty cool when they are done by and experienced dog/handler.
Anyway we do have our work cut out for us this week if we want to be ready for "graduation" next week. Somehow I have to find people to approach, walk around her while I practice her sits. Unfortunately I don't have anyone that Sadie is unfamiliar with to help me on this. I may try her at the park or Petco or something like that this weekend...
Since next week is our last class, kind of a "graduation", this week we spent most of class reviewing everything. She did the heeling exercises OK, though she was a bit distracted and I caught her lagging on our turns a few times. But she broke every single stay last night, like really broke, not just moved a few inches but totally got up and tried to walk away the other direction - its a good thing we were all onleash! She moved out of one sit stay, two down stays and a stand stay! Mostly she broke when Trainer Guy approached to walk by and once when he was trying to call her to him (he does this on purpose to see if they are going to listen to the handler or just anyone - they should only listen to their handler).
On a more positive note she did two beautiful recalls and this time I didn't get accused of baiting her with treats. She also did fairly well with the new exercise which was the "finish", I think this is one of my favorite exercises because it looks awesome when the dog is siting in front of you until you give the command to "finish" or "heel" (I use the latter) and the get up, walk to the right around behind you and come to a sit in heel position. I remember teaching this to Bella, thinking that she'd never get it but then being so proud when she began to do it on her own beautifully. No doubt Sadie will pick up on it and be doing it on her own soon as well. Even though we as a class never learned the "Swing" command I've been working her on it and she already almost does this on her own. "Swing" is the exact opposite of the "finish" or "heel", it's where they swing their butts around to the left and sit in heel position, instead of walking around to the right and behind you. Both exercises look pretty cool when they are done by and experienced dog/handler.
Anyway we do have our work cut out for us this week if we want to be ready for "graduation" next week. Somehow I have to find people to approach, walk around her while I practice her sits. Unfortunately I don't have anyone that Sadie is unfamiliar with to help me on this. I may try her at the park or Petco or something like that this weekend...
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