Starting a beginner training class with my puppy.
After struggling with my puppy's training at home and on my own, I decided to enroll in a beginner training course through a local pet store.
In case it's helpful, below are the topics covered in this post:
Why I Enrolled in a Class
I could not afford to enroll my first dog, Shadow, in a training class when he was a puppy. Fortunately, he was intelligent enough to figure out what I wanted from him despite my inexperience as a dog owner. He wanted nothing more than to please me and keep me company.
Years later, I did not feel the need to enroll my second dog, Rascal, in a training class when he was a puppy. Rascal mimicked Shadow and quickly learned basic commands. It was good enough for me, especially since it meant he was well-behaved in public.
Lucy is smart and capable of learning new commands. For example, she learned "sit" and "lay down" quickly. This also includes any hand gestures I have for them.
Lucy also learned "leave it," but it is one of several commands she does not always obey.
For example, if she wants to investigate a pile of dog poop and I say, "leave it," she will leave it alone. On the other hand, she will disobey the "leave it" command if she really wants something like a Starburst or lost toy.
It also does not help that she will not leave Rascal alone when I tell her to. While they can co-exist at bedtime, she will not leave him alone otherwise.
I must keep them separated during the day or else she will try to lick/kiss, hug/cuddle, or pet/slap him when he does not want that attention. I do not worry about her hurting him, but I do worry about her annoying him to the point that he will gnaw at her (he has very few teeth and can do no real damage).
I need training guidance, so I decided to enroll in a beginner training class through a local pet store.
Before Class
Before our afternoon class session last Saturday, I made sure my puppy, Lucy, ate lunch and had a short walk. I did not want her to be "hangry" and super hyper. (Spoiler: Lucy was not "hangry," but she remained super hyper.)
I packed a treat pouch full of broken mini–Milk Bones. In retrospect, I probably could have packed a cup of her puppy food pebbles in place of the Milk Bones or other training treats.
When we arrived at the pet store where the class was hosted, I made sure she went potty before heading indoors. We were early, so we stood outside of the class area until we were invited to enter the room.
Unfortunately, Lucy barked at other dogs while we waited. She only recently started barking at other dogs and I did not know how to make her stop. Rascal, my small dog, also barks at others, but he would stop when I told him to.
I would tell her to sit and attempt to redirect her attention, but she would again focus on a nearby dog to bark at it. I was grateful to be attending a training class to learn how to address unwanted behaviors with Lucy.
After I shared Lucy's shot records with the instructor, we went to our assigned seat. Our seat at the time was next to the instructor's table. Lucy repeatedly tried to place her front paws on the table to see what was there.
Lucy barked at every puppy that entered the room. Once the room was filled (there were only four other puppies in the class), Lucy calmed down. She was overly excited and could not "chill" until she realized we were going to be together for a while.
During Class
Like most training sessions, we participated in an ice breaker activity where we shared our names, the names of our puppies, and what we hoped to tackle in class.
Everyone in attendance said they hoped to help their puppies develop social manners. That is something I am hoping for. However, I realized it was interesting thing for us to say since social manners is not on the agenda for the six-week class.
After we received clickers and a short lecture, we proceeded with the training activities.
First, we were asked to make sure our puppies would sit on command with ease. This is an essential basic command. The booklet we were provided states that "this is a foundational position for teaching additional behaviors." Fortunately, it is a command I have used daily since the day I adopted Lucy.
Lucy and a few other puppies started barking at other barking dogs elsewhere in the store. The instructor said we should click and praise our puppies as soon as we hear another dog bark. This should be done quickly before our puppies responded with a bark. Over time, this should let the puppy know not to bark just because another dog barked first. I wished I knew this when Lucy barked at every other dog before the class started.
Next, we got our puppies to touch the palm of our hands without any verbal cues. This is supposed to redirect a puppy's focus and get them within close proximity of the owner.
Lastly, we got our puppies to briefly focus on our face or make eye contact. We also did this activity without any verbal cues. This is supposed to redirect a puppy's focus and enhance the relationship between puppy and owner.
To my surprise, Lucy picked up on the latter two activities quickly. When we were actively participating in an activity, Lucy was excited, obedient, and well-behaved.
The class excited Lucy. At first, Lucy barked at the other puppies and attempted to engage them in a play session. Half-way through the class, she started to calm down and watch the other puppies struggle to remain calm.
Lucy frequently looked back at me with a huge smile on her face. Her tail wagged the entire hour we were there.
Days Later
Lucy and I have focused on the training activities daily. When we go on our walks, I would sometimes stop and either have her focus on my face or touch my hand.
Lucy can do both activities with affection as her reward instead of a treat. She does sometimes receive a treat, but I do not always carry treats with me on our walks.
So far, I frequently forget about the clicker. It will take me a while to make using the clicker a new daily habit for Lucy.
What's Next?
I am excited about our next class! On Saturday, we will work on an activity I struggle with the most: leash skills.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam
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