Beginners Obedience for Zoe Week 1

[Zo zo's mom]

OK, so week one is all theory and the doggies don't come. Marco had a job to do all day, so I went by myself. I got there and checked in and showed proof of vaccination and then went into the training area and took a seat.

I was sitting next to a lady who breeds and shows pugs and has a pup she's keeping that "needs manners". There are also 2 mini-dachshunds, a pit bull named Maui and a lab.

As we were sitting in chairs, this big sweet dog came to see each of us kinda like a hostess at a party. Very nice, friendly and calm. Turns out she is the trainer's dog and she is the demo dog for the class. Her name is Sophie (cue my eyes filling up with tears).

She told us where lesson plans would be, told us there is homework everyday, at the end of the 8 week session, there is an evaluation and graduation ceremony.

This school trains with a clicker and positive reinforcements. I have to bring a treat Zoe has never had before (I went to a pet store and got freeze dried liver and venison jerky and a treat bag...and of course, two new toys). She should come to the class hungry and exercised. They say to give them a little of their kibble and bring the rest of it mixed with this new special treat.

Somethings I knew, but I was happy to hear again, like always use the same command word for the same behavior and all family members should use the same word. Also, tone of voice is important (pleading with your dog to sit doesn't make you the alpha dog).

They talked about the fact that language is new for dogs. She said that as a game, you could click when a person does "something" (puts their hands up, steps forward) and then watch how frustrating it can be while they try to figure it out. Same with a dog in training.

The last thing we learned were the things we would be evaluated on:
Sit (Command and hand signal)
Down (Command and hand signal and then down for 2 minutes)
Healing (Fast and slow pace)
Stay (45 seconds and stay with distractions)
Come (from 20 feet)

The homework for next week is to clicker train with eye contact, sit, down, and then targeting with food or a toy.

So..that is week 1. I have already started homework with the clicker.

[Morkie4]

I did basic through advanced training with my poodle years ago (didn't use clickers or treats back then but only used verbal and physical rewards). If you don't do your homework and work with the dog............you will not be successful. I think it really makes a bond with the dog when you do the classes. I still use some of the things I learned in those classes with my present pack!:D :D

It sounds like you are really going to do great in the classes and I look forward to hearing good reports about our Zo zo!!!

So where did you get the venison jerky????? I use to give the kids the duck and chicken jerky and the LOVED it but it is made in China and I have chose not to give them any products made in China. Maybe you could look on the package and give me a website or something to order some for my babies. I am sure Canada does not have the same pet stores as here in the USA. Please.:)

I can't picture Zo zo having any interest in her kibble at the class.........she is too happy to be worried about food with all the external activity and distraction...........I hope and know she will do well. It is going to be work, mixed with some fun and I think Zo zo will respond wonderfully to the new activity of learning new things. I really appreciate you sharing your experience with us here on MT. We can all learn from your experience.

[Zo zo's mom]

I did basic through advanced training with my poodle years ago (didn't use clickers or treats back then but only used verbal and physical rewards). If you don't do your homework and work with the dog............you will not be successful. I think it really makes a bond with the dog when you do the classes. I still use some of the things I learned in those classes with my present pack!:D :D

It sounds like you are really going to do great in the classes and I look forward to hearing good reports about our Zo zo!!!

So where did you get the venison jerky????? I use to give the kids the duck and chicken jerky and the LOVED it but it is made in China and I have chose not to give them any products made in China. Maybe you could look on the package and give me a website or something to order some for my babies. I am sure Canada does not have the same pet stores as here in the USA. Please.:)

I can't picture Zo zo having any interest in her kibble at the class.........she is too happy to be worried about food with all the external activity and distraction...........I hope and know she will do well. It is going to be work, mixed with some fun and I think Zo zo will respond wonderfully to the new activity of learning new things. I really appreciate you sharing your experience with us here on MT. We can all learn from your experience.

Ask and ye shall receive. Here is the website on the jerky.
http://www.omhpet.com/wellness/dog_wellness_treats_pure_rewards.html

I am imagining Zo zo as the social butterfly in class too. She's so excited all the time (I guess that is why she should come to class exercised) and she is not only food motivated. She LOVES toys and cuddles, which is a bonus for us because if we can get a reaction to one thing, we can try another.

To get them used to the clicker, tonight at dinner, I had to feed her a piece of kibble and when she took it, press the clicker. She was more interesting in the clicker after that, but I keep going and managed to do it for 10 minutes. We have to do this for the next couple of days so she will associate something good with the clicker. They said the never to use the clicker to get her attention-it should just be used to "mark" a good behavior.

[Morkie4]

Ask and ye shall receive. Here is the website on the jerky.
http://www.omhpet.com/wellness/dog_wellness_treats_pure_rewards.html

I am imagining Zo zo as the social butterfly in class too. She's so excited all the time (I guess that is why she should come to class exercised) and she is not only food motivated. She LOVES toys and cuddles, which is a bonus for us because if we can get a reaction to one thing, we can try another.

To get them used to the clicker, tonight at dinner, I had to feed her a piece of kibble and when she took it, press the clicker. She was more interesting in the clicker after that, but I keep going and managed to do it for 10 minutes. We have to do this for the next couple of days so she will associate something good with the clicker. They said the never to use the clicker to get her attention-it should just be used to "mark" a good behavior.
Thank you........have a store in my little town and one town over where my son lives. I'll be checking them out tomorrow. :)

[Zo zo's mom]

Thank you........have a store in my little town and one town over where my son lives. I'll be checking them out tomorrow. :)

Happy to help (and provide treats for your pack :wink5: )

[Zo zo's mom]

OK

So I say "sit", she does, I click and go to reward and she stands up. Is that OK? She doesn't stay sitting...The sound of the clicker kinda jolts her.

[MaxJack'sMom]

OK

So I say "sit", she does, I click and go to reward and she stands up. Is that OK? She doesn't stay sitting...The sound of the clicker kinda jolts her.
Are you suppose to be putting her in a sit-stay? If you don't give her that full command then she is ok to get up after the sit.

[Zo zo's mom]

Are you suppose to be putting her in a sit-stay? If you don't give her that full command then she is ok to get up after the sit.

Good point Cheryl...she did what I asked after all.Thanks

I think I was trying to use the clicker on a behavior she already knew while she wasn't completely used to the clicker (the trainer said we have to "charge" the clicker, so when the dog sees it, she knows she will get a reward if she does something correctly).

BTW- Marco was exhausted this morning, but I showed him the clicker and told him he needed to keed her a piece of kibble and click and repeat for 5 minutes (to "charge" the clicker). He was so tired, but he did it.

[Morkie4]

Good point Cheryl...she did what I asked after all.Thanks

I think I was trying to use the clicker on a behavior she already knew while she wasn't completely used to the clicker (the trainer said we have to "charge" the clicker, so when the dog sees it, she knows she will get a reward if she does something correctly).

BTW- Marco was exhausted this morning, but I showed him the clicker and told him he needed to keed her a piece of kibble and click and repeat for 5 minutes (to "charge" the clicker). He was so tired, but he did it.

Good for Marco.............will just help Zo zo get the idea quicker. Yay Marco! Good boy Marco!:wink5: :wink5: :wink5:

[Zo zo's mom]

Good for Marco.............will just help Zo zo get the idea quicker. Yay Marco! Good boy Marco!:wink5: :wink5: :wink5:

He's getting "trained" too. He was so tired. He was gone for 15 hours and he has a bad cold too. :D

[Morkie4]

He's getting "trained" too. He was so tired. He was gone for 15 hours and he has a bad cold too. :D

Awwww, poor guy.........he needs some TLC.

Tell him I said:78787879