Red's Intermediate Obedience Class - Page 2

**Red_Storm** · 06-26-2008, 03:27 PM

No doubt you will do awesome. I'm sure it will be fun for the both of you....ENJOY!

**Burns** · 07-08-2008, 10:04 PM

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

~~~

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!

robinb · 07-08-2008, 10:38 PM

You should be very proud!!! That's great, congrats to both of you.

KristenC · 07-08-2008, 11:08 PM

Very cool, Burns - how exciting!

**Burns** · 07-15-2008, 10:04 PM

A couple new students, including a female brindle Mastiff and another Australian shepherd.

Treats used: bits of ham

~~~

Red had another good class

He was used a lot for demonstrations.

This week we did more heeling, this time practicing right and left turns. A lot of focusing work in sits, downs, and during heeling. He is getting really good at heeling, and setting himself up in a straight sit at my left side. He is becoming more attentive with the focusing work so he is more in tune with turns and halts.

We also worked on recalls - coming in straight, fast, and finishing in a sit. This is an area that we need a lot of improvement in. Red doesn't always come in fast or straight, and sometimes he shoots right past me like a runner on first base, so I need to work on more enthusiastic recall and finishes. I want good, solid recalls that will translate to off-leash as well, so we'll have to really practice this week.

Unfortunately, I'm going to miss next week's class because James and I already had concert tickets for that night. But the instructor just told me to come a bit early the next week and she can go over what I missed.

**Burns** · 07-29-2008, 10:36 PM

We missed Week 3 last week due to a concert we already had tickets to before I signed up for the class (btw, it was Kid Rock - and it was sooo worth it!

)

Anyway, this week we did different turns and things during heeling - slingshots, change of pace, circles right and left, back-up recall, about turns, u-turns, and halts - while still stressing eye contact and focus. The instructor always uses Red first to show everyone how it should be done

He did great, as usual. I need to work on my footwork through all these different maneuvers though - I really need to practice without the dog until I'm comfortable with it. I get confused about what I'm supposed to be doing, and am paying so much attention to him that I mess up. So that is my homework this week

We also did off-leash recall with distractions. The dogs sat in two rows facing each other, making an "alley", and you had to put your dog in a sit/wait at one end of the alley, return to your dog once without releasing, then go back out and complete a recall with a straight sit finish at the end. Red went first again and did great - he didn't move a muscle and wasn't paying the least bit attention to the other dogs. His finish needs work though - he won't sit straight! I did back-up recalls to try to get him straight, but he swings he butt out to the side no matter what I do! oh well, just need more practice, I guess

Good lesson this week!

Here is a pic of Red waiting his turn to practice heeling.

And here is a photo inside the facility of Red sitting by Darth Vadar and Yoda. The first time he saw these cut-outs, he growled and pulled me up to them to check them out! It was so funny

Lexxsmom · 07-30-2008, 08:27 AM

aw he's so cute! Sounds like he's doing really well, not that i'm in the least bit surprised!

DobeMom616 · 07-30-2008, 02:12 PM

For straightening his fronts, try using two 2X2s or such and put him on a leash. Set the boards a little wider than his butt. Have him at one end of the boards (with his leash on) and you stand at the other end. Call him and have him sit between the boards. As he gets use to them, put them closer and closer together. He will straighten up. If this is not clear, I can make some photos with Cole doing this.

**Burns** · 07-30-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DobeMom616

For straightening his fronts, try using two 2X2s or such and put him on a leash. Set the boards a little wider than his butt. Have him at one end of the boards (with his leash on) and you stand at the other end. Call him and have him sit between the boards. As he gets use to them, put them closer and closer together. He will straighten up. If this is not clear, I can make some photos with Cole doing this.

Great idea, thanks!

I think he's just so used to sitting to my left that he swings his butt out that way, always to the left. I will definitely try the board trick - thanks again!

**Burns** · 08-05-2008, 10:15 PM

Great class today

We did lots of fun stuff.

We did heeling and different turns in a large circle on command. Then did sit/stays and down/stays (which was a piece of cake for us) - I can turn my back and literally sprint away from him and he's rock-solid

He is finishing recalls nicer now too, nice and straight in front of me. We've been practicing that a lot at home this past week.

Worked on heeling through distractions - weaving figure 8's through other handlers and their dogs. Red was the only one good enough to be allowed to do it off-leash

I was so proud!

Another good exercise was getting the 8 or so dogs in a tight circle (like 2 feet away from each other), have them sit, down, stay, walk around them, etc, and they couldn't break position or go to the other dogs. This was a good exercise for Red since it required him to be very close to other dogs and to ignore them. It was fun

Red really enjoys these classes. He gets right down to business and knows its time to work! We are taking the TDI next month so I am practicing only on his flat collar now since you can't use a choke or prong for the test. So far, so good! Looking forward to next week