First day of puppy kindergarten!

[Ritz459]

Today was Chloe's first day of puppy kindergarten. She did rather well for being in a new environment around new people/dogs. But why, oh why, did I have to pick a dominat dog out of the litter? *shakes head*
She sat and walked on a leash well, but she did NOT like the other puppies. When we first walked in she was growling, barking, and lunging at them. Dog aggression isn't new to me, but I'm not looking forward to yet another dog aggressive dog, so lets hope we can nip this in the bud.
After the first 30-60mins, she stopped growling at the other dogs and was willing to check out a Great Dane puppy (that is already about seventy pounds...BEAUTIFUL dog) without fuss. She was fine with the large adult dogs in the store, just not the smaller dogs and the puppies.

Also, during our "puppy massage" time (when we get the dogs used to being handled) she growled when we held her against her will, espeically if she was near a "cradle" position. Of course, her growling didn't get her put down and once she calmed down I let her loose....geez, I dislike dominant dogs. Thus the point of the puppy kindergarten class.

I really like the trainer though as she seems to know what she is talking about and I think this class will be worth the 110$ I paid for it. As Andrea, the trainer, put it, Chloe is the fiesty one.

Oh, and in the class there are four other dogs (one of which didnt' show today). The Great Dane named Hugo (black, huge, natural ears) who is owned by an equally huge (not fat; muscled and tall) guy and his girlfriend/fiance/wife. There is a mini Dachshund (chocolate colored) named Sadie who is owned by an elderly couple, and a mismarked black Lab pup (who is extreamly goofy. lol) who is owned by your typical family (mom, dad, 2.5 kids). I can't remember the lab's name.

[keekers]

reminds me of our first day at puppy class. our cute little fuzzy golden (12 weeks at the time) looks like a little angel, starts growling, lunging & being fiesty with all the other dogs. i can totally relate!! too funny.. but the more we went the better she got (obviously). she'll get over it with time & training. lucy was the same with the smaller dogs (she wanted to be the boss) but ok with the bigger ones..good luck...

[Ritz459]

Originally Posted by keekers

reminds me of our first day at puppy class. our cute little fuzzy golden (12 weeks at the time) looks like a little angel, starts growling, lunging & being fiesty with all the other dogs. i can totally relate!! too funny.. but the more we went the better she got (obviously). she'll get over it with time & training. lucy was the same with the smaller dogs (she wanted to be the boss) but ok with the bigger ones..good luck...

Hahaha, yep, the cute fuzzy ones always through you off guard.
I remember when we had Sadie in a puppy class...she realized that the trainer would give her treats so whenever the trainer would walk by, Sadie would go CRAZY. She also pulled 10x more than Chloe did, so I know there is hope, as Sadie is now a Guide Dog. lol

And I guess that everyone either has a Collie, had a Collie, or knows someone with a Collie because when I was walking Chloe through the store, I kept hearing, "Oh, what a cute puppy! Is that a Collie? I have/had/know someone who has one and they are the best dogs!"

[Rivsky]

Sounds like you're going to have your hands full with Chloe Ritz!!!

River also used to hate the puppy massage part of class - I think it was because he wanted to stay alert enough to stay awake to make sure he didn't miss out on anything!!!

[Cassiepeia]

She sounds like a cheeky little booger. LOL She'll be a lot of fun to train as she gets older. I'm so jealous of the puppy experience. I've never been to a puppy class. It's interesting to hear what goes on. I didn't know they had a 'puppy massage' part. What a great idea.

Oh and just for the record....my father had a Collie when he was a child.

Cass.

[IceyBlueSibes]

She certainly does sound like the feisty one! lol I'm sure you'll be able to work well with her as she gets older!

AND, my mom used to have a collie when she was a young child, too She would guard my mom and sister while they were in the yard playing. She said she was a great dog

[Ritz459]

Yep, and my Grandpa had Collies growing up and they would herd the cows for him. That is actually the reason we kept her...my Grandpa, as well as all of my other relatives, knew/had a Collie and said they were such great dogs. lol

Yep, she is a little booger! I think I am going to have fun with her, because her being "fiesty" also gives her an outgoing personality. When we walked into Petsmart she just strode in with her tail wagging and had to check everything out. This was a far cry from the puppy that, a couple of days after I first got her, I had to carry around the store because she was terrified to move.
She's also very smart; she learned in just that first class that whenever I say her name, she looks at me and she gets a treat. She was also sitting on command and would down as well. She'll be fun to do obedience and agility with!