The students:
1 Boxer
1 Lab
1 Jack Russell
1 Australian Shepherd
1 Sheltie
3 Golden Retrievers
and Red
2 Instructors Treats used: sliced turkey hotdogs and low fat string cheese
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Red did really well at his first class!! He really wanted to play with the other dogs, but they don't allow the dogs to play with each other at all in classes - which is good. He needs to learn that if he sees another dog, he doesn't always get to approach it or play with it.
We worked on heeling and focusing a lot in this first class. We worked outside where they just got done with a puppy class the hour before, so there were all sorts of smells and distractions to add to the difficulty level! But Red heeled and focused really well - the instructor that hadn't met Red yet was very impressed with him!
I learned to be consistent with my reward placement at my left thigh so he stays even with me (don't treat out ahead of me or reach behind). Also to loop my leash hand thumb in my pocket so I'm not pulling him into position - he should be there on his own. Sometimes it's hard to remember everything at once, so it's just going to take some practice on my part.
After class, the head instructor invited Red and I to attend the advanced class around Week 5 because they will have a Rally course set up that we can practice on. So I guess we are good enough to be in the advanced class!
And she also invited me to join her and the guy who was my CGC evaluator on Saturday mornings and they do other work and some agility training with their dogs as well. She said she doesn't invite many people to do this, so that is encouraging!
Can't wait for next week!
