I signed Maggie up for obedience classes!

I'm excited! She's not though. lol.

I just got back from our orientation class. I really like the trainer. I like her methods more - reward reward reward. No choke collars, negative training! I'm mostly going for the socialization aspect as little miss Maggie needs that the most. I want to get a feel for how she acts around other dogs in a controlled setting before I go venturing off to the wilds of the dog park!

The class is indoors so that will be interesting. Its the only thing I don't like about it b/c it has slick floors which don't work too well for big dogs. And she wants me to bring a bathmat - :shock: It also isn't going to work too well if we have any, um..., accidents?!? It may be ok to clean up after a little dog but big dogs, I'm going to need to bring a mop and several rolls of paper towels.

Just wanted to share! I'm going to try to walk Maggie around the neighborhood a little just to get a head start so she doesn't have a coronary. I bought hot dogs to give her treats.

Maggie already knows sit. I'm trying to teach her stay. She'll get it. She's much smarter than Indy (well....not smarter - let's say more willing to please!). Indy still only knows sit. But he's a damn good sitter.

 

Sounds like it will be a fun class for the both of you! Good luck.

 

LOL! Same with Bonnie, only she knows "down" as well. When I try to train something new, she lays down and looks at me like, "Is this good, Mommy??" :?

 

that will be a challenge! how old is she now? I wonder if the bathmat is for training, I know there are methods where you train them to go have their quiet time/time out on their mat or bed.

boy that brings back memories! we waited too long to take Jake for training, he was 6 months and also had minimal exposure to other dogs, so he was too excited at class and I couldnt control him, wasnt a fun experience. if I ever get another puppy, it will get started on socialization and training right away funny how I alwasy say I will do things different the 2nd time around, I guess people with children say the same thing.

 

We all do that, honeybears. Whenever I am having an issue with the dogs and then read about how you avoid that issue by doing such-and-such when they are puppies, I think "Next time I will do it right!"

Of course, I'll just make different mistakes "next time." :roll:

 

This sounds like Ranger and Snickers. Ranger is VERY easy to teach a new command to, with 5 minutes and a few treats he's got it down, Snickers on the other hand...well, we finally got down and stay, we had gotten sit, but...now when I tell her to sit, she goes down. *sigh* the only reason I would really need the sit for her anyway is to get her to calm down or stay, so I guess the down works for that too.

 

Duke has an "advanced" obedience degree from a high-end training academy here in Houston and Freckles has a GED from PetsMart. :lol:
Both were positive training programs but Duke came out of his program with a little reminder to stick to the straight and narrow. That trainer used a rattle made up of a few pennies taped up inside a tin can. When she wanted to get Duke's attention or stop him from misbehaving she would shake the can once or twice. Always rewards though for doing things right but Labs can be stubborn. When we brought him home after the two week boarding/training, all we had to do was pick up that rattle and he would immediately sit, waiting for "further Instructions".
That rattle was not punishment it just was reinforcement to get his attention.

 

Nala got a graduation certificate after her puppy class. Something about being an "obedient, well-behaved dog." Then she ate it.

 

lol. i tried the rattle with ranger when he was a puppy (all furniture belonged to the dog, in his mind). he thought the rattle was a new toy lol and would run around the house with it. it kept the cat of teh furniture :wink:

 

"Duke has an "advanced" obedience degree from a high-end training academy here in Houston and Freckles has a GED from PetsMart."

LOL Dukes dad that is too funny.
I got quite a chuckle out of reading your post.

On to the subject matter.

Good luck with your pup. The trick to making obedience work is make it fun for you and your dog. Repetition is the key factor.

I think the bath mat is for "Go to bed" or sometimes called "Place"
Go to Bed Command:

See below:


Every dog should have its own bed.


First select a spot for the bed which will be out of the line of traffic, allowing some privacy for pooch. Let the dog know the bed is his/her own property.

Use the command "Go to Bed". Point to the bed, then take your dog to the bed and let him get in it, rolling around having fun. REWARD/PRAISE!


To get the dog accustomed to staying on the bed give him treats and praise him for going to his bed. When he goes to his bed,

Have him lie down, and then tell him. 'Stay' after a minute or so, release him. "Ok" High Praise and repeat the process until the dog learns to go to bed on command.



The key to training is to always make sure the bed is a safe place and associate it with good things whether it's a treat or a favorite toy. Avoid using the "go to your bed" command as punishment. Then the dog will eagerly and happily run off to his bed.


I have never taught my dogs "Go to bed" they either sleep in my bed, my daughter's bed or the couch.

Anyway, have fun with class.
Sue