First training evening in over a year

[mackico]

Well, Archie and I went to our first training session at the local dog club since about March 2010. Like, the first structured multi-dog class. He's had plenty of training in between times, but not with instructors or anything.

He did a perfect sit stay, down stay, stand stay, sit wait come. Very good temperament test, he just licked the hands of the people taking the session and behave generally affectionate.

His heel was initially atrocious. Too many distractions and his head was turning everywhere to see everything. It settled down though, and by the evening he was heeling fairly nicely. Did a beautiful heel down an avenue of dogs, with about three meters between one side of the ave and the other.

He growled at every other dog in the first ten minutes! Or rather, he growled at all the jumpy, crazy dogs that were all over the place and wrestling with their owners when they got too close. Then he settled down and just accepted them, even when they were only a few feet away.

And in the last ten minutes the excitement got too much and all came out the bum end, during three minutes of squatting and grunting over under the trees, while I embarrassedly watched on.

That said, he wasn't the worst in class! There were several dogs much more energetic and hard to control than he was. And no one else knew the "stand stay," either.

[Mazz]

Well done.
Now your hard work paid off.
My baby is brill at training school, only she took the 'devil within' last week.
I think she got bored.
Dont worry if he's not 'top dog', all the time.
They all have a off week.
You just enjoy your time with your lovely boy.
Mazz

[mackico]

That's all very well and good...

But Archie's at least two years senior of every dog in his class! I feel as if his manners ought to be imepaccable, with his age and everything!

Well done to you and Archie

[Zak]

Well Done m8

[Mazz]

When I first went to training, with one of my rescues.
She, Tara was a little bat. Bless.
Even the trainer said she was the bitch from hell.
She lunged and barked at every thing, Fear I'm afraid. From her past.
Anyway, that beautiful little 'bitch from hell', was one of the best dogs there, and very quick to learn.
Tara never took her eyes off me.
We had a lovely bond. As I'm sure you have will yours.
Dont worry what people say you/he should do or be
You know, with the time you've put in with your dog, you will get it back.
Some dogs some times dont do every thing we want.
As long as we have a safe and happy dog.
That's all I myself ask for.
Sorry for the long post, I just got carried away.
I'v had a few rescues, all different.
All beautiful dogs.
Some just take longer to 'grow up'.I have time to wait.
Enjoy your dog, he'll get there.
This is jmo. not to upset anyone.
Mazz