We had a good walk at the park yesterday :)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
With Honors!
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"!
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"!
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...
Friday, January 28, 2011
What are the odds?
Even though it was week 4 of our obedience class, last night there was yet another new face, a little dark chocolate pit bull puppy - a real cutie; coincidentally enough her name is also Sadie. Yes, we now have a Bella and two Sadie’s in class. But it gets even better than that, I finally said something to them about my Bella that I have at home and the other Bella’s mom said “that’s funny because I also have a Sadie at home” and the other Sadie’s mom said “Oh my god I also have a Bella”! What are the odds!? All three of us have our own pair of Sadie and Bella’s!
Anyway after we all had a good laugh, Trainer Guy started the class. As usual we began with some heeling patterns and then moved into reviewing the “loose your dog” game for the few people who missed the first night of class. After “loose your dog” we practiced our “sit stay” and “down stay”. This past week during practice I’ve been taking Sadie’s squeaky toy and tossing it around her while making her “stay” to help reinforce the fact that she is to stay no matter what, she’s been doing a really good job with this. When I did this in class Trainer Guy was also obviously pleased and said “wow look at you go!”. Sadie still needs some work on staying while people are walking around her though, because she did break position when Trainer guy tried to walk around behind her. Her “down stay” went very well however, and she stayed in place even when he waked by. Actually the whole class did really well on the “stay” exercises overall, Trainer Guy doesn’t usually give out too many compliments, especially to the whole class but last night he did, he said that we were all performing this exercise better than his intermediate students!
We also reviewed the “stand for examination” command. Honestly I really didn’t put too much work into it last week, but this week I have kind of a “monkey see, monkey do” idea where if I ask Sadie and Bella to “stand” if Bella does and she gets the treat I’m hoping Sadie will get the idea and pick it up herself.
The new exercise we worked on last night is the “recall”. Sadie is actually really good at this, but it’s nothing new to her. Ever since I started having races with her and Bella (whichever gets to me first get’s the treat), they both usually come running pretty quickly when I call them. Actually Sadie did this so well in class last night, that Trainer Guy even accused me of baiting her with a treat, even though I didn’t even have any treats with me!
Somehow last night either before we left for class or sometime during class – maybe while we were playing tug? – Sadie got a cut on her nose. Even though it was no bigger than a grain of rice, unfortunately she got blood all over my sleeve and pant leg! I didn’t even realize it until I got home, and of course I was wearing light colored jeans and a light grey sweater. Hopefully it will wash out! Other than that though, I’d say we had a pretty good night.
Anyway we have two weeks of class left and I admit that I’ll be sad to see it end. She’s done very well and we’ve had a lot of fun! The next intermediate class begins sometime in February but I also start school again on the 14th, so we may have to wait until after I finish that in April before we can pick back up with her classes. Either way, we will continue our adventures in training sooner or later (I’m hoping for sooner).
Anyway after we all had a good laugh, Trainer Guy started the class. As usual we began with some heeling patterns and then moved into reviewing the “loose your dog” game for the few people who missed the first night of class. After “loose your dog” we practiced our “sit stay” and “down stay”. This past week during practice I’ve been taking Sadie’s squeaky toy and tossing it around her while making her “stay” to help reinforce the fact that she is to stay no matter what, she’s been doing a really good job with this. When I did this in class Trainer Guy was also obviously pleased and said “wow look at you go!”. Sadie still needs some work on staying while people are walking around her though, because she did break position when Trainer guy tried to walk around behind her. Her “down stay” went very well however, and she stayed in place even when he waked by. Actually the whole class did really well on the “stay” exercises overall, Trainer Guy doesn’t usually give out too many compliments, especially to the whole class but last night he did, he said that we were all performing this exercise better than his intermediate students!
We also reviewed the “stand for examination” command. Honestly I really didn’t put too much work into it last week, but this week I have kind of a “monkey see, monkey do” idea where if I ask Sadie and Bella to “stand” if Bella does and she gets the treat I’m hoping Sadie will get the idea and pick it up herself.
The new exercise we worked on last night is the “recall”. Sadie is actually really good at this, but it’s nothing new to her. Ever since I started having races with her and Bella (whichever gets to me first get’s the treat), they both usually come running pretty quickly when I call them. Actually Sadie did this so well in class last night, that Trainer Guy even accused me of baiting her with a treat, even though I didn’t even have any treats with me!
Somehow last night either before we left for class or sometime during class – maybe while we were playing tug? – Sadie got a cut on her nose. Even though it was no bigger than a grain of rice, unfortunately she got blood all over my sleeve and pant leg! I didn’t even realize it until I got home, and of course I was wearing light colored jeans and a light grey sweater. Hopefully it will wash out! Other than that though, I’d say we had a pretty good night.
Anyway we have two weeks of class left and I admit that I’ll be sad to see it end. She’s done very well and we’ve had a lot of fun! The next intermediate class begins sometime in February but I also start school again on the 14th, so we may have to wait until after I finish that in April before we can pick back up with her classes. Either way, we will continue our adventures in training sooner or later (I’m hoping for sooner).
Friday, January 21, 2011
Another Bella!
Well we are three weeks into beginning obedience and Sadie is still doing very well. Earlier this week she had some issues with her front leg so I was unsure if we were going to make last nights class. My back up plan was to ask Trainer Guy if I could substitute Bella for one class. She is past the beginners level but the socialization would be good for her.
Fortunately though, yesterday Sadie showed no signs of lameness. It's a good thing otherwise class would have been awful confusing with my Bella there. Coincidentally another lady showed up with a little Pit Bull also named Bella. She's a little smaller and her coloring is more of a red/brown and white but still we had another "bully" named Bella! As it was every time Trainer Guy would say "get Bella" or "watch Bella" I caught myself looking down at the end of my leash but then I remembered I was there with Sadie not Bella!
As usual we began class with some heeling exercises. Forward, fast, slow, left, right, about turn and halt. Sadie's sits are really showing signs of improvement. Only about 50-60% of the time she kicks out to the side but the other 40-50% of the time she is sitting in perfect position. Her response time has also improved greatly.
The stay went well until some kids decided to walk in the gate behind her on the sit stay which caused her to break position. But she's only been at this for a week so that is to be expected. She also broke her down stay when Trainer Guy walked up right behind her. Clearly we need to work on this, I need to start working her "stay" in busier locations to teach her to stay put no matter what or who is around.
The new exercise for the week is the dreaded "stand". This took me weeks of work to teach Bella! But when she did finally get it was like a light bulb moment and she has done it perfectly ever since. I'm hoping to use this to my advantage, I have a few ideas on ways to have Bella help me teach this one to Sadie.
Fortunately though, yesterday Sadie showed no signs of lameness. It's a good thing otherwise class would have been awful confusing with my Bella there. Coincidentally another lady showed up with a little Pit Bull also named Bella. She's a little smaller and her coloring is more of a red/brown and white but still we had another "bully" named Bella! As it was every time Trainer Guy would say "get Bella" or "watch Bella" I caught myself looking down at the end of my leash but then I remembered I was there with Sadie not Bella!
As usual we began class with some heeling exercises. Forward, fast, slow, left, right, about turn and halt. Sadie's sits are really showing signs of improvement. Only about 50-60% of the time she kicks out to the side but the other 40-50% of the time she is sitting in perfect position. Her response time has also improved greatly.
The stay went well until some kids decided to walk in the gate behind her on the sit stay which caused her to break position. But she's only been at this for a week so that is to be expected. She also broke her down stay when Trainer Guy walked up right behind her. Clearly we need to work on this, I need to start working her "stay" in busier locations to teach her to stay put no matter what or who is around.
The new exercise for the week is the dreaded "stand". This took me weeks of work to teach Bella! But when she did finally get it was like a light bulb moment and she has done it perfectly ever since. I'm hoping to use this to my advantage, I have a few ideas on ways to have Bella help me teach this one to Sadie.
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