Sake's Obedience Adventure! Let's get rid of those fears!

KFontaine04KFontaine04
edited April 2009 in Behavior & Training
Tonight is Sake's first beginner obedience class!

We are all very excited and hope she learns more "focus" so she can get over her issues. She has been doing great latey, so we hope this just helps the process along. Plus it is much needed socialization for the kid.

It is her first time being away from Miso, which Im sure is gonna freak her out, but hopefully it helps her realize she is never alone and we are always there for her!

I will give you an update after class!



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Comments

  • CaliaCalia
    edited April 2009
    Definitely spam us up with some class pics...Skool iz kool
  • StaticNfuzzStaticNfuzz
    edited November -1
    Good luck....most importantly have fun, so she will.

    Looking forward to hearing all about your adventures.
    Snf
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    Oooh! Good luck, Sake! Although I am sure she is going to have a blast. :-D
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    Go to the head of the class Sake!!!!
  • CrimsonO2CrimsonO2
    edited November -1
    She's got legs...she knows how to use them!

    Jesse
  • RomiRomi
    edited November -1
    Good Luck and Have Fun!
  • Two SocksTwo Socks
    edited November -1
    Have a great time & remember ....PATIENCE!!!!!!!
    Good Luck to both of you!
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    Hooray for another Shiba in school. Go Sake, teach those Goldens!
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Okay, so I forgot my camera last night so I couldn't get pictures but I will next week I promise. ( I know FAIL!)

    Class went well. Sake basically knows her commands she just has a hard time concentrating in new situations and she still has her fear of some Men. Lucky for us there are 3 guys in our class and they all look different. There is a younger guy with his girlfriend, an older man, and a middle aged man with a beard (sake hates beards) so I think it will be good for her to be exposed to them for the next 8 weeks.

    The dogs in our class are SUPER cute! We have:
    Bernise Mountain Dog - Ella
    Puggle - Lucky (He is a rescue and is NUTS!)
    Chihuahua - Banana (She is even more afraid than Sake)
    Boxer - Katie
    Pit Bull Mix - Marvin (SOOO Cute!)
    Bichon Frise - Brady
    ???? - Jetty (He was a rescue from Puerto Rico, his owners went there for vacation and brought him home, he is SO cute!)

    Sake was really nervous when we first got there but seemed to calm down and actually slept through the first part of the class where the instructor was talking about positive reinforcement and their training methods. Then we did some "watch me" exercises which Sake is great at (Lucky for me she is so food motivated!).

    I am SUPER excited for next week because we get to do CLICKER TRAINING! I didn't know this was part of the class and it is, and I am PSYCHED!

    So that is about it for now. I will keep you updated after every class.
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    Yay! I am glad Sake's first day of school went well.

    And yes. FAIL for forgetting the camera. We expect double the spam next week. :-P
  • Two SocksTwo Socks
    edited November -1
    Sounds like the class so far, is everything you could ask for, the clicker training is awsome. Levi is trained to the click of my voice it's amazing . You'll love it!Keep us posted!!
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    Glad the first class went well! Yay Sake!
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    If you are already able to keep her attention on the first night that is good, the sleeping thing is a good sign too. It shows she can be comfortable in new spots.
  • StaticNfuzzStaticNfuzz
    edited November -1
    Great news! You'll be amazed how fast it goes. Sounds like you already have a good start so it only reinforces what you have begun and makes it stronger. : )

    Snf
  • cmmookiecmmookie
    edited November -1
    Sounds like a great class! How was she without her big brother??
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Thanks everyone! I am SUCH a proud momma! She did awesome!

    I didn't know if she was sleeping because she was relaxed or she just wanted to close her eyes so the bearded guy wouldn't see her anymore...LOL!

    She did OK without Miso, she was totally freaked out in the car on the ride over there and when we got into the store we wandered around for 30 minutes before class started and she was SUPER nervous. Carts going by, new dogs, people, intercom...it was scary for my baby!

    She made pals with Jetty the dog from Puerto Rico and they sat next to eachother in the training area. I made sure to sit next o Jetty's owners, a younger man and his girlfriend. He was the less "threatening" looking man at the class and had a soothing baby face. She sat in between me and him the whole class and even took treats from him at the end of class!

    Next week we are going to sit next to Ella the Bernise Mountain Dog and her owner who is an older gentlman (no beard!) and se how she does.
  • shimaurashibalover92shimaurashibalover92
    edited November -1
    im glad sake did so well. its funny how she doesn't like beards. i wonder what it is that freaks her out about them?
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    It's great that you guys had a good time - I bet Miso was wondering why Sake got to go and he didn't!
  • ZinjaZinja
    edited November -1
    The trainer at Petco that I got a refund from told me there was no reason to teach "watch me" and clicker training was a different class. I'm glad I got out.

    I love how both Ninja and Sasuke both trotted when we had to perform techniques in front of the class. Nihon Ken love to show off!

    I'm glad you guys are having a great time, I know I did.
  • CaliaCalia
    edited November -1
    Glad you guys had a great time, Tetsu is the same way with beards, and I hope to see some spam next time around
  • CrimsonO2CrimsonO2
    edited November -1
    Hey Kristin,
    Congratulations it sounds like you guys had fun.

    Depending on the class, the clicker for clicker training is usually provided by the trainer. See if you can score more than one (ie one each for you and your husband) ;) I'm always lookin' for a clicker nearby at various points in my home to do training with the dog and I always keep one zipped up in the treat bag.

    Jesse
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited April 2009
    This class is at Petsmart and the trainer is really awesome. They do have a class devoted just to clicker training, but they use the clicker in all their classes because the trainer really loves the tool.

    They do give out the clickers and I already requested two, plus I have one at home :P

    Chris told me Miso was PISSED that I left without him and acutally howled for like 3 minutes after we left!
  • CaliaCalia
    edited November -1
    It's great that you found such a awesome trainer at Petsmart (The ones by me are ceasar-ish), goes to show you can get a good trainer at a pet store.
  • CrimsonO2CrimsonO2
    edited November -1
    Sweet Kristin,
    That's the first time I heard you mention it was a PetSmart class, I was guessing it was but had to make sure. Ichi went through puppy and intermediate classes going through the clicker method. That's where I got the picture of him hogging all the toys.

    Jesse
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Oh right I remember that!

    This is my first class with them and I have to say I am impressed. She went over all the reasons to do positive reinforcement, how the clicker can be your best friend, use of sound aversions (AHHT!) and being constant with your training. She also recomended Karen Pryor's Clicker training book for people who want to continue with training after class is over.

    The other thing I loved was when I was told what to bring it was: "Proof of vaccines, yummy treats, Collar or Harness (NO METAL, No Chokes, No prongs!) and a regular leash, not retractable". Knowing that they don't let people use choke or prong collars is a HUGE plus!
  • CrimsonO2CrimsonO2
    edited November -1
    Yes, I do have to say I'm pretty impressed with the PetSmart certified training staff (you see their certs on the wall outside the enclosed area they do training). On top of that, your training area is chock filled with distractions from ogling people to dog toys and treats. It's a great transition to real world situations.

    Jesse
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Sake's trainer just called. She forgot to tell us that there was no class next week because it's Petsmarts annual Doggie Birthday Extravaganza! Basically it's a big dog party they have every year in the store and they serve dog friendly cakes and cookies and people cake.

    Do you think Sake is ready for this? I don't want to interrupt her socialization with such a major event if it is going to be detremental to her. I know Miso would just LOVE to go, and I will probably still take him. Just wondering if stink butt should join us.

    What do you all think?
  • sunyatasunyata
    edited November -1
    You might take both Miso and Sake to PetSmart a couple of times in the next week to see how she reacts. She may be much more at ease with Miso there. If she ends up doing great without the birthday extravaganza, then she will probably be okay with the extra stuff going on.

    LOL... 'stink butt'. :)
  • CrimsonO2CrimsonO2
    edited November -1
    I agree with everyone else. Desensitize her to the store/training. Her confidence is truly bolstered by having big bro Miso there, and if people try and approach her during the party, just cut off their approach and say "Pet the red one, not the white one!"

    Jesse
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    If you take her and she starts to freak, just leave. No harm in trying.
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