Fed Up!!!

[LucyA]

It's Bronze class tonight and I find myself absolutely dreading it!!!

Don't get me wrong, the trainer is great, very clever and intuitive, however, I just feel like I get the worst deal. Everybody stands there with their little labradoodles and smaller puppies and I stand there with 4.9 stone of GSD puppy.
If their dogs misbehave they are able to drag them into place to show them. If Blitz misbehaves I am covered in friction burns on my hands and being dragged in the opposite direction.
I know we are getting somewhere with him as I can see the improvement, it is just such bluddi hard work and bluddi embarrassing when he does the opposite of what I ask.
Anyone else get like this?
I feel awful, I should be excited, but I know come 7pm I'd rather hide under my duvet than go anywhere!!!! xx

[don-don]

Try not to worry about tonight (easyer said than done!) im sure Blitz will do super and you will too. Its all a learning curve, and i think its great you are seeing improvements in Blitz' behaviour.
It is hard work but so worth all the effert you put in.
I think our dogs sometimes like to test us! Diesel will usually do as he's told until i actualy want him to. eg.when people are admiring him i try to get him to sit but coz he knows he's got an audience he totally ignores me, and give me a look as to say 'what u talkin' about women??'
Good luck with your bronze award tonight and try to enjoy it, let us know how you get on.

[LucyA]

Thanks Donna
Blitz does that too with spectators!!!
x

[Caryll]

I know exactly what you mean. When I took Duke training he was a right royal pain in the a**s! He'd do the oposite of what I told him, he'd want to sniff the bum of every dog within 10 feet of him & he's try and lick to death any human within the same range! I got the same with Dempsey (together with all the 'tut's and the frowns and the smirks of the others).

But it does get better, and when all the others are still struggling to get the more advanced training right, Blitz will be doing it all perfectly - cause guess what? He's intelligent!

Hunni Dont fret Sweetie, Blitz will pick up on it.
Just stay as calm as you can take a deep breath and go for it
Im sure your allowed to use treats on the test so get something special in roast chicken ect and use them to get his attention
If he messes about just walk him away putting a treat to his nose and breath!
Sending you lots pf positive vibes and we'll be there with you in spirit ok.
Message for My Nephew Blitz
Nice treat coming if you be good for your Mummy
Aunty Linda xxx

Lucy, no need to be embarrassed...the only time you should feel embarrassed or ashamed is the weeks you cant be bothered to go! Its a learning curve for both dog and handler and blitz will pick up on your feelings and do less well than usual. Laugh it off if it goes wrong x
hi linda, you are quite correct- treats can be used however haltis or the like cannot.... flat collars have got to be used during the award, but haltis etc can be used if lucy is just doing the learning/training for the weeks that run up to the exam exam?? hope that makes sense as its quite clear in my head! lol
oh and believe me- they soon pretend they have forgotten! Zeus missed 2 weeks cos of his kennel cough and on sunday just gone he was a blody pest- refused point blank to lie down.... that usually his fav position at training!
.

[LOVEGSD]

Don't let it get you down hun, you're doing really well and he is still a baby so ignore the other owners. You'll be the one feeling smug in the end when you have perfect control over a huge dog!!

Take some deep breaths and just say to yourself, it doesn't matter what happens.....xxx

I know how you feel Lucy ! It is indeed a learning curve as I'm finding out with Zee at obedience / agility. I think it helps as the one I go to is just GSDs, so they understand big breed numptiness

You're much braver than me - I couldn't do any 'test' to save my life !

[LucyA]

Thanks for all your kind word, needed some morale

Linda, the problem with treats is he won't take them on the move so he isn't interested in treats while I am trying to get him to heel!! Annoying to say the least, I should perhaps try walking with a ball but then he would jump up at me for it!!

We won't use a halti anymore since we perservered to get him used to it for a week or two until he scraped his nose across the concrete to try and get it off, he then came up bleeding!! At that point I refused to have him wear it again so he has been training on a flat collar and nothing more.

I may have explained badly as it is not our test tonight, just a normal class! But still very fed up with it lol, every week I have to push myself to go!

I am very pleased I am not the only one having a nightmare!!
Anni, I wish we could have gone to a GSD only one however, it is dangerous, Dan gets very broody over GSDs lol xx

Remember it's a very unnatural situation for the dogs - so much going on, having to do as they're told.. when really they want to play with the other dogs.

Zee has a nano second attention span on the obedience because she's looking at the dog doing the agility over at another part of the field. I use a ball on a rope to get her attention or use Watch, then instant praise when she does.