Rigby's first day at school

[Anatresia]

Well, we had our first training class. Rigby snarled and growled at a pillow dog (some fluffy thing- not a lhasa apso, but that type- the ones that look like pillows.) When it was time to do clicker training, she did NOT like the clicker, nor the trainer lady. She refused to take ANY treats whatsoever, so most of the training was useless.

However, by the end of the class, she was calmer and she even sniffed some other dogs on the way out.

The best part, though, is that there's a super cute little longhaired dachsie in the class! His problem- barking and aggression, same as Rigby- do I see a love connection? As we were leaving, the owners of the dachsie dropped his leash, but neither knew it, and they turned to see him lifting his leg on a shelf! Such a bold little man! (He reminded me of Kim's dogs :))

(On a side note, we're watching Chuck as we speak- I have to change the channel because Walker, Texas Ranger is "way too much awesome" for me.)

[oceangirls]

His problem- barking and aggression, same as Rigby- do I see a love connection? As we were leaving, the owners of the dachsie dropped his leash, but neither knew it, and they turned to see him lifting his leg on a shelf! Such a bold little man! (He reminded me of Kim's dogs :))


Oh dear. It appears my dogs have a reputation for evil.:rolleyes:

Well, even if all you get out of it was some socialization for Rigby (and a Love Connection!) that would probably be worth it. But I bet she will improve as time goes by!

[Anatresia]

Oh dear. It appears my dogs have a reputation for evil.:rolleyes:



NO! Not the evil part- the cutie pants longhaired part!

[Linus]

I agree, even if she only gets socialization from it, the class will be beneficial. Keep us updated on her progress!

[Nancy]

:bigrayz: 's for a better second class! i'm sure rigby will turn out to be a star student!

[lotsadox]

I had problems with Miller not wanting to take treats at obedience school also. It makes training harder when they aren't that food motivated in class, but it's not impossible. The first night is usually chaotic and not a lot gets done. I had to use a lot praise the pets with Miller. He was much harder to train than Cash, but in the end did very well. Hang in there, it'll get better. :banana:

[Goob]

Sounds like our Rigby made some progress, by the end of class, so that's good! :appl:

[Tanya]

Keep working with her and she'll get better. She was probably overwhelmed by the new environment and all of the new dogs and that is why she wouldn't take a treat!

For weeks, Peaches wouldn't lift her nose off of the ground! Sniff, sniff, sniff! Drove me crazy!

The training wasn't useless cuz you have to start somewhere. If our dogs were perfect, there would be no need for training! Way to go Rigby! :cheer2:

[jenfer]

Try using the clicker at home. Click and give her a treat. Do it like a game. And use her fav treat!!!

Good luck!

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Clicker worked realy good for Gunner and Petunia.

[areese]

It works better too if you have really really really good treats and make sure they are a little hungry. I make garlic chicken for Laika's and Owen's classes.
It's kinda stinky though. They like string cheese too.

Amy, Laika, and Owen

[Anatresia]

Now Mr. Butters, whose only fears in the past were of that orange dinosaur toy and running out of food, is scared to death of the clicker!!! I keep trying to associate clicker = food, but it's going to take a while with him!

Rigby, on the other hand, is less afraid of the clicker already!

[Lisa]

Natural Balance roll makes great bait too, and it's actually food so it is healthy. I also used cooked chicken cut into small cubes. And if you REALLY want her attention then a cooked steak cut up into teenie tiny pieces works awesome.

Clicker training is something you have to practice everyday. You might want to put Butters away for about 10 - 20 minutes everyday just to work alone with Rigby. And then if you want 10 minutes alone with Butters. The hardest part of clicker training for me was you have to be super fast with giving them the treat right after the click so they can make the association. I have tried training two at once and it is a disaster and re-enforces a lot of their issues (ie., food agression etc.)

You will do wonderfully. Rigby is a smartie pants, I know she will pick it up really fast.

[HotDogMama]

:cheer2: Way to go Rigby!! I hope next week is even better!

[duchiesmom]

ummm. at least she did not blow poop juice at the trainer? :rotfl:

Glad there is another of "our kind" in there. Am sure Miz Wigby will be the star of the show in no time.

[jenfer]

Tracy, is Butter afraid of the clicker itself or the sound of it? You can soften it by wrap it with a towel or something. He doesn't need to SEE the clicker. I think as soon as he can associate that clicking = food, he won't leave you alone. It works well for food motivated dogs. Yeah and use good treats too! Cheese works well for Gigi. Just don't use anything that's crumply. You don't want their nose on the ground sniffing.

[Anatresia]

It's the sound it makes. I can give him the clicker and he'll sniff it, but the sound freaks him out!

[Otto'sMom]

I got overzealous with the clicking when I was trying to train Dolly. She definately did NOT like that noise any more, and would slink off away from it. I used freeze dried liver treats cut up with hot dogs, very small. Her love of the food overcame my ignorant clicking, and I bought a quieter clicker.

[mydachsies]

:cheer2: :cheer2: Ms. Rigby! Hope you have a better second class.Maybe you can get a boyfriend out of this and some training:hearts: .YAY!:banana:

[jenfer]

I will definitely wrap the clicker up and soften the sound... maybe just a barely soft click inside your pocket? imediately follows with great treats?