Maya's first obedience class

[Kyleigh]

Going by your screen name, I'll take it you're a guy? LOL gotta lose that "macho" and get all "girly" LMAO ... can you videotape it so we can all get a chuckle???

[MaggieRoseLee]

Being at home and 'training' with a puppy and being anywhere else in the world is completely different.

It's why classes are so great because you can see the difference and, with a great trainer, gain the skills needed to train thru it while realizing it's COMPLETELY NORMAL. Plus some of what your puppy needs is just to get used to the great excitement and stimulation of being in a new place with new pups and new people.

So first your puppy needs to just get used to the excitment and newness. And THEN needs to learn that you are still there and some fun training is going on.

It's normal all the early classes can be frustrating for you and appear to be a madhouse. But each class will be better if are patient and listen to the instructor.

Main goal is to not get frustrated or embarrassed (many people just get embarrassed and quit not realizing this stage is normal and will pass) and their dog never learns all it can just cause of that!

You get a chance to watch this (and look how generally there are no other dogs or people around )

click this ---> Engagement - Key to Training

[Marc]

Thanks all, its good to know that this is all normal, and Maya is not just a disobedient little brat lol. Ill take all the advice on board and let you know how Friday goes.

I was just playing some training games with her and she is generally good, she enjoys pull and tug games and 80% of the time she will let go when I say "off" and if its for a treat, she will let go 100% of the time. She was walking to heel quite well, albeit with a tasty lure.

I am working on the "hier" command (where the dog looks at you and you get all of its attention), I have started this command by using her name, is that ok?

[MaggieRoseLee]

The most important thing right now to work on is her attitude and willingness to be right with your learning. So short and extremely motivating/fun stuff is key.

If you succeed in teaching her training and learning with you is fun fun fun then there will be no end to what she can learn and how fast she learns.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

The most important thing right now to work on is her attitude and willingness to be right with your learning. So short and extremely motivating/fun stuff is key.

If you succeed in teaching her training and learning with you is fun fun fun then there will be no end to what she can learn and how fast she learns.

I see, that makes a lot of sense, because at the moment the training seems to be more about her getting fed, rather than playing. She is doing what she knows she has to to get the treat, rather than because its fun for her (im sure its more fun than not getting my attention at all), I can sense that in her attitude. I will try more fun stuff, and see how she progresses, thanks for the advice.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Originally Posted by Marc

I see, that makes a lot of sense, because at the moment the training seems to be more about her getting fed, rather than playing. She is doing what she knows she has to to get the treat, rather than because its fun for her (im sure its more fun than not getting my attention at all), I can sense that in her attitude. I will try more fun stuff, and see how she progresses, thanks for the advice.

The treats can be fun too. If they are super yummy. The pup is hungry. And she is getting a ton of treats frequently cause she's SO brilliant!

Don't just train 'obedience' but tricks are much better for puppies. Less stress for everyone

Teaching a trick is the least important part of teaching tricks

Silvia Trkman - YouTube

Silvia Trkman - YouTube

Tricks for a great bond trailer - YouTube

Tricks for a great bond trailer - YouTube

smart tricks by a smart puppy - Le, 4 months - YouTube

smart tricks by a smart puppy - Le, 4 months - YouTube

[AngieW]

Kylie was definitely the wild child for her first puppy class. I normally take her on a 1-1.5 mile walk first thing in the morning, but I only had time to take her for a 0.5 mile walk before that first class and it really showed.

I make sure to do a full 1.5 mile walk before all the classes now. She was actually the best-behaved of the puppies at our last class (only 4 in the class).

[doggiedad]

i start training my dogs when they're 4 months old. they
know a few things before 4 months old. at 4 months all
of the good stuff starts. i find training in short sessions
daily and many times a day works well. don't wait for
class to train and socialize. i like adding distractions slowly.
i also like private lessons in the begining of training. it seems
like it's easier on the pup during private lessons. everything
is such a distraction to a pup. in private lessons there's
less distractions.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by AngieW

Kylie was definitely the wild child for her first puppy class. I normally take her on a 1-1.5 mile walk first thing in the morning, but I only had time to take her for a 0.5 mile walk before that first class and it really showed.

I make sure to do a full 1.5 mile walk before all the classes now. She was actually the best-behaved of the puppies at our last class (only 4 in the class).

thanks, I think that is a good point, I had taken her on a walk, but it was in the morning, so by the time of the class, she had her energy back, I will try and walk it out of her tomorrow.

Originally Posted by doggiedad

i start training my dogs when they're 4 months old. they
know a few things before 4 months old. at 4 months all
of the good stuff starts. i find training in short sessions
daily and many times a day works well. don't wait for
class to train and socialize. i like adding distractions slowly.
i also like private lessons in the begining of training. it seems
like it's easier on the pup during private lessons. everything
is such a distraction to a pup. in private lessons there's
less distractions.

Thats interesting, is there any reason why you dont train earlier than 4 months? I know she will be a lot less "Puppy" by the time she is 4 months, but surely the earlier the better right? To be honest I dont really have a choice of waiting, I am moving abroad at the beggining of February, so I need to get as much training in with her as I can before then, as there is no dog classes near where I will be going. I will be building a foundation from now until then.

Socialisation is also a problem. Where I am, there are very few dog owners. when im taking her for a walk, I might see a dog walker, but the majority of the time I see non, and the dogs that I do see, are not very well socialised and the owners usually cross the road. Even when I ask "can she come over to say hello" they say things like "oh hes not very friendly" and the dog will be barking and bearing his teeth. This is probly where my dog has picked up her barking habbits. and even the dogs that are "ok", you can tell they are not used to seeing other dogs, and do not know how to act or play.

there is a couple of good ideas her so I will try them out and report tomorrow training with her in the morning has also helped, because she is hungry first thing in the morning, she is very food motivated and so I can use treats effectivly, i think like MaggieRoseLee mentioned, the most important thing, is for my dog to enjoy training, this will then lead to me getting more attention from her, and ultimately she will learn faster.

[Marc]

Second class went fantastic, I was so impressed with her behaviour tonight, not only did I get all of her attention, she was a lot calmer with the other dogs, and performed almost all of the commands I asked of her, the only thing she struggled with was down stay. She did sit stay, walking to heal, recall, and agility. I'm so pleased with her