Saturday, September 22, 2012

School Days

Happy Saturday friends, I am anticipating having lots of baby photos next week so thought I'd post some pics of Hunter's first day at obedience class.
Waiting to see if we are going on a walk or a drive.
Meeting our instructor; I was very impressed with her and her style of training; I will say that age has made my responses with training quite a bit slower than they used to be and I think she'll have more work with me than with Hunter.  It is a very small class; today was just Hunter and I and her daughter who is training to assist her, with a friends dog, that needed training.
I feel like I've already learned so much; it is so different than when I last trained a dog-which is probably about 28 yrs ago.  One of her strategies for Hunter is to have other people to work with him, to help teach him not to be so shy. 
The trainer's daughter getting him comfortable with her.

I will have to curtail his walking with his friends for now because of the distraction and wanting him to focus solely on me.  If I can get the timing down to reward him immediately when he obeys-that is my challenge this week.  We are also working on making sure he does not think he is alpha, which also entails no free feeding-I don't think he knows what he is in for.  He did really well and actually played, at the end, with the big yellow lab for about 20 min.  The lab was perfect for him, as she stayed laying down and wasn't too overly rambunctious with him.  The other dog that will be in the class is a German Shepherd so Hunter will learn to relax with big dogs.
Have a great weekend!
Noreen & Hunter

14 comments:

  1. Good Afternoon! I love seeing these photos and I'm happy that Hunter did so well. I'm anxiously awaiting the baby, as I know you all are, also!

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  2. Sounds like your first lesson went well ... I always think that obedience training is for the humans every bit as much for the dogs. ;-)

    Can't wait to see those baby photos!

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  3. Looks like Hunter did real well. Paws up to you my friend. Glad you got to play with a big dog. We all are not bad or aggressive or take advantage of the littler ones. Keep up the good work. And yea it's true most of the training is for the peeps.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  4. Hunter is just adorable!... Tessy is all through training me, and I am doing exactly as she says... Happy Autumn to you!... xoxo Julie Marie

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  5. I have to agree with everyone else, I think the training is mostly for us, glad it went well...waiting for baby news

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  6. Hunter, we are so proud of you! It sounds like you are going to be able to have a fuller, richer experience with all other people and dogs and that is wonderful! Good luck to you both!

    Your friends,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  7. Hunter, you seem to be doing well wif the classes :)
    Cotton

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  8. Looks like Hunter is a good student. I've never experienced obedience class with a pet, but I can see where it's just as much for the humans! lol!

    Hunter is a cutie!

    Blessings,
    Tammy

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  9. Way to go!
    I like it when an owner takes responsibilty of their pets.
    Training is so important, not just for the dog but everyone around them.
    How cute is Hunter, really cute!
    He looks like he is having fun.

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  10. Great pics!! Seems like Hunter did a great job. BTW, love your blog's new look. :)

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  11. What great photos of your dog training with Hunter. WE love the trainers who work outside, cause were do we meet all the new dogs and new people? OUTSIDE.

    Great Post
    Bert

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  12. Hunter is just so sweet! I wish you the best with his training. :)

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  13. I have never used a trainer Noreen, so I'm just going on what you have told me! I've always just trained my dogs at home...there has been quite the variety over the years...I grew up with German Shepherds...we had two. Then we had a Belgian Shepherd. Then a Shepherd Mix, then a Rottweiler Mix, another Shepherd Mix, then a Newfy/Lab Mix...and then Chloe...then LadyBug. So, I guess you could say I've had my share of "different personalities"!! Love the pictures of you and Hunter!! Looks like you will have fun in the training class!
    xo
    Jeanne, Chloe and LadyBug

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