Teddysmom
10-09-2006, 02:55 PM
Sorry everyone, but have to brag about my good little man...Teddy! As you all know he started obedience training October 1; he had his second class yesterday and he made me so very, very proud. In our first class, we went over the basics, sit, watch-me, and introduced the clicker. Well at the beginning of class yesterday our instructor, Jamie, went around to all the dogs and tested them to see who had been working with their dog and who hadn't. Well, every dog in the class sat when Jamie came to them and said "sit" .......except Teddy. She tried a second time with him....nothing. He just stood there, cocking his head to one side and looking at her like she was crazy. I politely said "watch this." I got on Teddy's level, said "Teddy, watch me" and his eyes were glued to my face for about 10 seconds before I snapped my fingers, said "sit" and pointed to the ground. He immediately sat! I clicked the clicker and gave him his treat with tons of praise and had to explain to Jamie that I'm using hand signals as well as verbal commands for him and THAT was why he didn't listen to her. She was very impressed. yesterday we also learned 'leave it' and walking on a loose leash. Teddy was showing off by being very good and walking right next to me the entire time, never once pulled on the leash...unlike all the others (Teddy is the only little dog in the class other than a sheltie .... the rest are all huge dogs like labs, dobermans and goldies). All I had to say was "this way" and he'd look at me to see which direction we were going and he'd follow. I'm so very glad I put him in obedience classes...he's calmed down a bit and listens a whole lot better now. They've taken a good dog and just made him better. I can't wait to see how he turns out after the whole 8 weeks are finished; I'm gonna have a totally different dog! I'm just so very proud of him; can't ya tell!? Just had to share with everyone.