Obedience brag

[Rip's Girl]

It's not huge, he didn't win any titles, and he didn't save any lives but I am SO proud that my boy went through our entire OB class, completely OFF LEAD. The trainer said she thought he was ready after she saw us working in the park, so I just had him on his collar and tab and he did wonderfully.
He did break his heel twice in an attempt to visit his doggy friend (The trainer's dog) but one "AH!" had him right back by my side each time. Not once did he ignore my commands because I didn't have a leash in my hand (Well, it was around my neck) and he showed today that he is really starting to understand the TRUE concept of "heel". He held a down-stay for 5 minutes with 12 fidgety, barking dogs near him, and didn't even show the slightest intention of moving. He did a recall at 50 feet and finished perfectly, and all of this without getting involved with the other dogs in class.

I know, brag brag brag but I am SO proud of him. Seeing how happy he was to be doing that just totally made my day.

[poodlesmom]

Way to go!! It is so great when they finally show you that they truly understand and are able to do it! And I think it is super that he enjoys class. I know my 2 absolutely love going to class each week. Are you going to be competing in obed. with him? It is a blast! Chloe always did well at classes but since she was in her first competition it has been funny to see the change in her - she literally prances around thru the routines now as if she saying "Hey people, look at me! Aren't I something wonderful!"

[sheltiepups]

Wow ! thats awesome Grace!

[elegy]

i'm so jealous! lol congratulations and good job!

[ChiChi]

WOW!!! ugh, that makes me jealous, Brody doesnt even kno wat a heel is! lets just say were wrkin on it!

[Carrie]

Oh Grace! I can see how that made your day. What an accomplishment for a puppy! You obviously have a very good repoire with him and he's totally tuned into you and the job at hand. Way to go!

[Pugdawg1]

That's wonderful, it really is! Congrats!

[Ritz459]

Good for you! (And Dakota! lol ) If one of my dogs did that, I'd have a heart attack from shock! lol (Even if we had been working on everything, I'd still be shocked.) Sounds like you and Dakota are having fun!

[Rip's Girl]

Poodlesmom yep I am hoping to do a little bit of competing with him, at least enough to get his CD, which according to the trainer, he is nearly ready for. He just needs to work on straightening out his sits on the recall and standing STILL during the stand for exam. As soon as someone approaches to touch him, he stays in one spot but he starts picking up his feet and wagging his little butt.

I just wish I could get Ripley to be half as enthusiastic about it as Dakota is. Rip seems to enjoy it until he figures out that he can't just do his own thing the whole time, and it usually winds up with him throwing a fit and me giving him a correction on impulse, and that's just no fun at all for either of us.
I need to find an obedience class for Ripley that uses pure positive methods. This trainer uses check chains and correction rather than distraction in many cases and for starters I feel uncomfortable now even putting a check chain on Ripley's fragile neck much less yanking on it.