Harley's Graduation « Thread Started on Oct 3, 2009, 9:01pm »
After 8 weeks of training, Harley graduated puppy class today. I wasn't able to go because I had to work, but Evan said that he just barely passed the class.
The only two requirements of graduating were doing 10 "puppy push ups", which are going from a sit to a down back up to a sit 10 times, and doing a 30 second "stay". Harley was previously very good at the puppy push ups, but Evan said that Harley practically refused to do them today. It took a while, but he finally did 10. We were most worried about the 30 second "stay", but Evan said that Harley sat and stayed for 65 seconds.
My 2 goofy boys
This was the only picture that Evan got, but he said one of the other pup moms in the class took a good picture. Evan gave her his email address, so hopefully she will send it to us. Evan said that Harley was the only pup in the class that tolerated the hat.
- Anna "If purring could be encapsulated, it'd be the most powerful anti-depressant on the pharmaceutical market." -Alexis F. Hope "There's no need for a piece of sculpture in a home that has a cat." -Wesley Bates
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Re: Harley's Graduation « Reply #2 on Oct 4, 2009, 5:18pm »
LOL! Awe! The hat is a very nice touch!
Congratulations Harley, Nancy and Evan!
I've found so many people worry about the end test, when they really shouldn't. I don't know about your trainer or others, but I always grade and pass based on whether or not the dog and owners worked hard and showed improvement, and I believe that's the way it should be. Shouldn't compare one dog/puppy to another, they all learn differently at different speeds (just like people!) and training is a lifetime commitment (or at least it should be) so there's no way to truly have a one size fits all grading system for dogs and puppeis (especially puppies!) in basic obedience classes.
I may have rambled a bit now lol sorry! Congrats you guys! You should be proud!!
Re: Harley's Graduation « Reply #3 on Oct 5, 2009, 12:51pm »
We are kind of thinking about putting Harley in the "intermediate" class, which teaches advanced walking and trick training. We didn't get to talk much about leash training, and all we were taught to teach as far as tricks was "shake". Also, they go over recall and fetching.
I don't know if that class is totally necessary, because we taught Bo all of those things ourselves. He is doing much better with leash walking (not even using a harness anymore) and has great off leash recall. Plus, it's another $99, 8 week course.
Re: Harley's Graduation « Reply #4 on Oct 6, 2009, 8:12pm »
$99 for an 8 week course is actually a really good price. My course is considered as "cheap" and it's for more money for less time (then again, I don't offer group lessons yet; group lessons are sometimes cheaper than private ones since in private lessons you tend to get more of what you paid for).
Whether you put him in the intermediate course or not is up to you guys.
The good it will offer is further socialization and working amongst distractions, which is always a really good thing for young pups.
The bad is that it is a fair chunk of money for things you CAN teach at home (though you can't have a whole class full of dogs as a distraction at home ).
Personally I don't offer tricks in my training course. I think obedience is what most people are paying for and it's the most important, so it should be focused on first and foremost. Tricks are kind of like an extra bonus thing when training your dog. Formal obedience should ALWAYS come first because it's so extremely important in so many ways.
Tricks are fun, and certainly are a good thing as they work your dogs brain (bored dogs = destructive, bad dogs!) and they are great to bond with your dog, not to mention entertaining and always fun to show off but I believe tricks should be taught in the home as a time filler and brain teaser. Training (the five basic commands) can be taught in a fun way and the more fun you and your dog have during training the better, but it should still always be taken seriously to a degree. It may just save your dogs life one day
My rambling point is: if you want to learn some cool dog tricks save your money and look it up online (there's a plethora available online), or ask on the forum! (I wanted to start up a trick club here but had no one interested, if you would be interested I’d love to still do it!), or buy some books about tricks; as I'm sure they will cost less than the course.
If you want to further Harley's obedience and like working in the group class environment for socialization and distraction then by all means, take the course! It would be beneficial all around.
I just personally wouldn't spend the money for tricks
Usually intermediate or "advanced" obedience classes consist more of commands and training used in formal obedience trials. Most average pet owners don't compete in obedience. If you're interested in competing though, taking advanced courses is definitely the way to go. This should cover such things as the continental and come-around finishes, the retrieve on flat, retrieve over jump, broad jump, spread jump, and handler out of sight stays. If it doesn’t contain at least a few of these things it’s not a course that will help with competing.
I’m really rambling now, I apologize… I just love obedience
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