White Shepherd Stories

The Graduate

 

Journey was super excited on Tuesday.  It was graduation day for his Beginner Obedience class.  He is a smart little guy and I would have had no concerns had we been practicing even half as much as we were supposed to.  I have been having some back problems and I just have not worked with him as often as I should have.  

One of the most important things we have been practicing is not getting out of the car until invited.  Everyone has gotten a little rusty on that one – so every time we get back from the store or where ever we have been, they must wait until I get out of the car and then wait until I call each name.  We have made a lot of progress, especially with Spirit and Quest, (who just needed a little reminder).  Pirate has regressed a little because of Journey's influence.  Journey, is not quite as good, to say the least.   At home or at the store I can pretty much count on them holding their sit-stay.  At the dog training building all bets are off with Journey.  He was naughty!  When I told him to sit and stay, he panicked when I opened the door.  I closed the door and once again asked him to sit.  He did, but when the door opened, he once more tried to come over me and out the door.  He acted as if he was afraid he was not going to be able to go to his class.  I kept closing the door and starting over, but he was not improving much, if any.  He attempted to come over the top of my head, or to pass me in the driver’s seat.  So embarrassing, he even honked the horn a few times as he attempted to squeeze past me.  He was awful!  I was so mad at him.  He finally did make it past me.  I shut the door, leaving him outside the car.  (Of course I had the end of the leash securely inside with me).   He was standing there wondering why I had not come out, I guess.   He did not really look very frightened though and I wanted to make an impression on him.  I actually think he would have gone on into the classroom without me if he had not had the leash stopping him. 

 I decided to start the car, to see if that might worry him.  It may have made a slight impression, but I think the other guys were more concerned than Journey.  He did try to peer in the door window.  I let him worry a little while, but we had to get into the class, so I eventually got out and took him inside.   In the future we will be going early and on the instructor’s advice, we will leave and go around the block if he tries that again.  We are also doing a lot more practicing. 

Once inside the building Journey was fine.  He loves it there and he loves everybody and all the dogs.  He especially loves Julie, our instructor.   She asked if anyone had any problems with anything.  There I sat with my hair scrambled, exhausted from wrestling with my naughty pup.  She called on me and I just said “Journey” as the problem.  They all laughed.  That is when Julie suggested just leaving for a while when he acted like that.   

He did graduate and Julie had spread out about 20 toys on the floor.  Everyone got to pick one.   I guess because Journey was the most vocal and excited, everyone said to let him go first.  He must have sniffed and taste tested every toy at least a couple times.  Julie finally said I might have to help him decide.  He was happy and took his choice back to his bed. 

 Journey's graduation toy.

Classmate "Mia"

The dogs all got treats and the owners enjoyed fresh fruit and cookies.  It was a nice party.  My little guy strutted out of there as if he were the star of the class.  Oh well – can’t say he is not a happy guy anyway.   Next Tuesday we start Intermediate Obedience class – we need a lot of luck! 

At home, Quest thought that he would commandeer the new toy.  He had it in his little pile of toys between his front feet.  Normally no one challenges his authority but when Journey saw his new toy there he nabbed it quickly.   Quest did not argue as he knew it belonged to Journey. 

All in all it was a good day.  

 

Ouch, Journey Bit Me!

Just kidding.... I stepped on a tooth he lost.  

Today we went to Home Depot.  It was Journey's first time and he was on overload.  He is exhausted tonight. He got to meet so many people and see so many new things.  He was on his best behavior.  He must have a sore neck from tipping his head so much as he went up and down every aisle spreading cuteness.

Once someone was pushing a large cart toward us, that was stacked with new kitchen cabinets in boxes. Journey looked for a minute like he thought we should run.  I had him step aside and sit down while it passed us.  He was so cool, he watched - so serious, but with my hand on him, he just calmed down immediately.  Needless to say he got so much attention!  He behaved very well and I am so proud of him.

He loved when the doors opened as we approached them.  A nice woman doing a demonstration gave him a treat.  He got to meet some children and even the people at the check-out stands had little dog treats for him.   He sniffed everythng as we explored the store.  

He is coming along just fine in his obedience classes.  Last week we brought one of his blankets with us and he learned to go to his bed.  It was very cute.  We simply stood next to the blanket after calling attention to it and placing it on the floor.  Then we stood still, just looking at the blanket, without telling our dogs anything.  If he looked at the blanket or stepped on it he got a treat.  If he sat on it he got a treat. He got treated for anything he did that involved the blanket.  Eventually he layed down on the blanket.  When that happened he got tons of praise and 5 of his favorite treats, one at a time.  Then I gave him his release command so he could leave the blanket.  I picked up the blanket and we started again.  Eventually when he realized he got the best treats for going to the bed and laying down, we then named the action and gradually moved away from the blanket so we could send them to it from further and further distance. We don't say down, or stay.  They only learn that on their own.  The command is "go to bed" or "go to your place".  He automatically downs and stays, as he has learned that on his own.  I thought it was very interesting that we don't train and name each action - only sending them to their place - they do the rest, down and stay.  They learn so fast and they enjoy the learning so much. It makes for such a solid bonding and a secure dog.  

We are also learning what is called "A Really Reliable Recall".  We have our regular recall that we practice all the time.  Then we have the "Really Reliable Recall" (RRR), which is trained with Super Treats and Praise and is for urgent or emergency recalls.  This recall would be used if your dog suddenly takes off after another dog; across a street; jumps out of the car uninvited or in case of some other emergency.   The reward for this recall must be better than rewards normally used, and the celebration must be memorable above all other celebrations.  What you want to accomplish, in a normal recall is to see your dog turn and run happily to you.  He might glance at other things, but he is steadily returning to you.  I use his name and "come".  For the RRR  I use "Journey, come NOW".  That tells him it is urgent and special.  He should be fairly flying to me when I call him with that phrase.  We will never stop practicing that recall, for safety we will keep it fresh in his mind.   It could save his life.   All of my dogs know and respond to this.  I do not use it for normal recalls the goal is to keep it very special.  

Well, those are two of the most important things Journey is learning right now.  He has learned many other things and he is very easy to train.  He is a little more easily distracted than Pirate was, but then I have not been able to practice him quite as much due to my back problems and the wet weather.  The instructor said I will learn more from Journey than I did from Pirate.  

Our new thing to practice (homework) is to "Leave it".  That is also a very important command.  It could make the difference in whether he eats something he shouldn't, that might make him sick.