And we like it like that!
One of the things I always try to do in a week six class is go back and check how we’ve progressed.
Early on, I write down everyone’s Major Issues. And on week six we go and see how far we’ve come. Yesterday was a week six puppy class.
So we checked it out. I started class with five adorable puppies. Along the way, we lost one. A puppy mill bull dog with major issues and small kids in his family. We got rehomed. Sigh. Oh well, one size does not fit all when it comes to puppies.
But – for the four left.
A pit bull mix whose major – only, her mommy swore – issue was puppy nipping. Verdict?
Perfect in every way? I thought so.
“SO much better….but now she can open her crate door and gets out while I’m gone and poops in the dining room…” Laughing – Ummm – bungee cords from the dollar store will fix that.
The next one came in as a tiny ten week old puppy. Lab baby and really had very few issues. Their biggest problem was they wanted to make sure they did the best thing they could for her. This couple was so adorable – they shopped and planned for Months before they got her. She was a greatly anticipated puppy.
I try very hard to be a very good puppy. And mostly succeed!
I asked, was it all you thought it was going to be? They said, well, there were a few more challenges – mostly because they’d never had a big dog before. But over all, she was great. Yay!
Then there was the adorable King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. Housebreaking and leash fear were her big issues. I waved my magic wand and All Better!
She made that sound soooooo easy...!!!
And then there was the papillon….Oh my. Driving mommy nuttso we were. Barking all the time. Puppy nipping. TOO MUCH ENERGY!
We have no clue what she was expecting. Just...not what she got!
I love it when a class comes together.
Today’s classes
Sunday is a Big Class Day. There are a couple reasons for that, I think. Most people have Sunday’s off and consider it more of a family day. Dog training and puppy class can be wonderful family activities.
Saturday classes are funny. People THINK Saturday would be a good day for them, but often Saturday is chore day. They show up the first couple weeks, and then starting thinking, “MAN, I have so much to get done today….maybe we won’t go just this once.” And it goes downhill from there.
But...what could be more important than me and my class??
But Sunday, people get up, go to church, go out to eat, go home, grab the dog, come to class, have a great time and go home happy. I like being part of that process. Sunday’s are really fun days for me, too.
So today – at one p.m., I have a week 6 Beginner class. A week 3 puppy class at 2.
I’ll be graduating a puppy class at 3, sniffle, but starting a puppy class at 4. Then at five, graduating an Intermediate class.
Will I pass? Tell me!!! You KNOW how I worry!
Then I will come home, happy and exhausted.
And I’ll post some graduation pictures for you tomorrow. Can’t wait? Me, neither!
My Success Story
Many dogs that come through classes or private lessons are success stories. They learn how to behave to please. They learn other behaviors to do instead of the behaviors that displease. Yay!!
The dog I had yesterday came in with so many issues. He charged out the front door. He didn’t come when he was called. He didn’t let his collar be put on. He’d snap. They bought him in on a 20 ft long line that they had looped into a slip leash and had basically lassoed him.
He didn’t like company, so they didn’t have any.
He would literally get up on mom’s lap while she was eating and not let her eat unless he ate first.
He didn’t like them to sit on the couch. So they didn’t.
He didn’t like them to sleep together, so she moved into another room.
Yes, you read that right. He would bite her out of the bed.
Now, he would let Dad sleep in the bed, but only till about 2 am when he told Dad to go sleep in his recliner chair. And Dad did.
If you dropped anything, it was his. He’d fight and bite you for it.
Sigh – the people were miserable – they loved him SO – but sure were tired of some of his behaviors. And the dog was miserable.
Its hard work to be king!
So we took King away from him.
Despite what you see on tv, it was NOT an overnight or fifteen minute fix. Oh no. It has taken a while. Real change does.
Yesterday, he came in, in his harness, wagging his self, smiling at me and wanting to play. The first day he came in, there was no way this dog would have played. He had too much on his mind and too many things to worry about. Now, he can play, because he has no worries. The difference between dog day one and dog this week was phenomenal.
Mom was able to sit at the table and eat.
They still weren’t in the same bed, but I think that is a choice now. I didn’t pry too much – but dad sleeps alone in his bed, and dog sleeps happily in his crate.
We wait at the door and leave things that are dropped.
Come is happening – I’d still like to see a much more reliable recall, so I sent them more ‘come games’ to play.
We do something else than charge the door, hackles raised when the bell rights.
We are no longer air snapping or even nipping to get our way.
The dog is Happy. That is what pleases me the most. He is no longer the tense worried little fellow who came in. He’s a dog again, not King.
We will still have a relapse now and again, as he tests his limits, or as the folks get tired and forget to enforce the rules, but overall…Success.
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