First Obedience Class

[winnie]

So, we had our first obedience class...at least my husband and I did. The first class was without dogs. There will be five other dogs in our class. We have our homework which is to "capture" behavior we like. We worked on sit today. Just waited for Porter to do it, click, and treat. Well it didn't take him long to figure out that sitting gets a click and a treat. He was glued to me all day. Getting up, sitting down...and doing it all over again. I am to wear the clicker and the treat bag around. We also work on the name game which is a squeeze tube full of treat (peanut butter or wet food). When he comes when called he gets 30 seconds of continuous licking with the squeeze tube and petting and praise. Anyway.....I hope this works. I am going to work on clicking for stay in the next couple of days. I also quit with the treats and am dispensing kibble out of the treat pouch or he is going to weigh 900 lbs by next Saturday's class. My biggest problem with Porter is pulling on the leash and uncontrollable enthusiasim over seeing other people or dogs. Arghhhh! I have NEVER had a dog that resisted training like him. Wish us luck

[Gypsiemouse]

Good Luck, sounds like it is going to be fun

[af_wx_wife]

Good Luck!! Sounds like it will be fun. I know what you mean with the treats. I would get treats & cut them so they were small, almost mainly a "taste" of something.

[Knucklehead]

How old is Porter?

My Knucklehead at 21 months is just now starting to mature enough to behave properly. But we use a prong collar and an e-collar during training, so he knows he needs to mind his P's & Q's. The prong collar is likened to orthodontics, you wear it and use it for as long as you need it for correction. The stim collar is to get him doing the right things on command and the stimulation goes away when he complies. A pretty effective combination and my Bonehead was STUBBORN but he's getting really well now.

[winnie]

Porter is 17 mos. we shd have started earlier but i have been able to train all my previous boxers and was trying to do it on my own. Porter is a food dog but very self interested. He will respond to demands but then says "I did it, I'm done". The prong collar is not for me. Porter will choke himself out till his eyes are bloodshot if I use anything but a harness. We are going positive reinforcement route. Gotta cut the treats. Poor baby threw up this am.

[Breezygirl]

You will have fun!! I am with you. Prongs and training aids are not for me. Your trainer is teaching your dog to think!! SO it's a little slower of a process (sometimes) but WELL worth it. With his age is takes a little extra time for some behaviours, but with others he will pick them up quickly!