Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well we had Cookie's first training class tuesday night. The first night you don't bring your dog, it's just the owners, but we did learn a lot and we have homework we have to work on. Two assignments, we have to get them to lay down when we stand on their leash, and we have to get them to sit during any distractions. When she was first telling us we were going to start with SIT, I was thinking, "Oh jeez, this is rediculous, my dog knows how to sit!" then she went on, "Now I'm sure most of you think your dog CAN sit, and it probably knows the command, but does your dog sit EVERY time you tell it to, on the FIRST command? I could feel my cheeks turning hot as I thought, "Oh Uh noooo." LOL So thats when I decided to put my stubborness aside even though I hadn't even realized until that moment that I WAS being stubborn, and listen to the instructors. They know what they are doing. So the class went really well, we practiced on a golden they had there, just getting used to holding the leash, clicker, and treats all at the same time and stuff, but we did well. We've been working on it non stop since we got home, in short two or three minute training sessions several times a day. I think she is starting to get that click means a treat is coming and what I like the best about it, is when she is being crazy around people, it's easier to pinpoint those short minuscule moments that she does sit in between jumping.
I was very impressed with their facility and ways of teaching. We also get these tickets whenever we do something right, or other things such as bringing really yummy treats to class and if our dog is well behaved before class starts, and stuff like that. At the end of the six weeks we can trade them in for toys or treats and stuff. Pretty cool!

That's great news!! I'm sure Cookie will come on just great over the next few weeks.
I've started reading more and more about clicker training and from what you've said and what I've read I'm going to order one with a book and try it out on Echo. I think we all have that thing where we tell people our dogs are the best and of course they can do this and do that but if I'm honest with Echo then she doesn't ovey commands 100% of the time. She is very good but it's not 100% Maybe the clicker will improve things with her too.
Let us know how you all get on over the next few weeks.
Mark

there will be ups/downs to all the training, but persistance pays!

I can come up with some weird analogies sometimes, but if you think about any 'training' like for piano playing or gymnastics...there is a 'body' learning.

the mind has to think about it for the beginning, but then the act becomes more automatic. a pianist might play a piece almost perfect, but do they stop practicing?

the gymnast might do the beam quite well, but they continue to work.

with a dog its easier cos she/he is part of your life & daily routine.

so training isn't just ok my dog knows that command, its way more. when you continue, then the dog really is aware that the 2 of you are a team & that is the 'goal'. the 2 of you will be reading one another's minds, smile

love to hear all the details...

Thanks! She is doing really well with clicker training! I know what you mean about learning each others body movements. Sometimes all it takes is for me to wait one more second before she does what I asked. I have to refrain from repeating the command cause she'll usually do it just a little delayed. It's amazing how much of my body movement she is already learning. She's learning that whenever I stop short on a walk, she has to sit, she does it automatically now, given there are little distractions. You put a couple kids in front of her and it's a different story, But she's learning. Shes getting a lot better with the jumping since we can pin point the good moments in between the bad. A lot of the time though, she won't take a treat if she is too excited. She either spits it out or completely ignores it. Especially if it's not a real special treat. I just hope this isn't interfering with the training, in a bad way. We're trying to teach her that a click means a treat, but will it work if she doesn't want the treat? We shall see I guess! Tomorrow night is class #2, she gets to meet all the other doggies. Well just two, if the same amount of people show for the second class.
Thanks again!