Three weeks ago we started an obedience class with Frosty. I really wanted to do it so he could socialize with other dogs. He had started to display some “Dewey Signs” (barking at strange dogs and people, separation anxiety, uncontrollable barking at anyone/thing outside the house) and the last thing I want or need is two crazy ass dogs who I can not control.
I have to say, he’s at the head of his class. What else can you expect really? He is an Aussie after all and them dogs are SMART!
I thought that I would find out that we were doing a lot of things wrong, since we have the crazy Dewey as proof of all that we have done wrong. However, I was surprised to learn that I was doing a lot right. I just needed a bit more guidance and homework. I love homework. It gives me a definitive goal to work towards. It’s like having a list of items to check off and complete. It totally feeds into my obsessive-compulsiveness.
There is this one dog in the class, a wee little dachshund. Frosty does not like her at all. Or he wants to hump her, I can’t really tell. The first week Frosty would just sit and bark and whimper and bark at her. I had to actually pull him to the side of my chair so he couldn’t make eye contact with her and so that I could actually hear the instructor. I was thoroughly embarrassed by my anti-social puppy.
Last week he did the same exact thing within minutes of arriving. However, I was prepared because the week before I learned about “targeting” which Frosty picked up quickly. When he started to bark at the dachshund in class, I quickly grabbed a bunch of treats in one hand and asked Frosty to touch his nose to the palm of my other hand. And he did it. And he stopped barking! And it was easy and fun. Plus, our instructor didn’t have to yell over Frosty’s high pitched bark throughout the class. I was pretty impressed with this simple technique because it really forced Frosty to focus on me and not the other dog.
We have another class tonight and I’m so excited. Sean and I both look forward to it because it really helps keep us on track and gives us great tools for both dogs. Plus Frosty is wiped out by the end of class. I wish I could take him everyday!
As for Dewey, he wasn’t ready to be in a classroom environment. His fear and shyness would not have mixed well. And not to brag or anything, but the dog has sit, down, leave it, roll-over, high five, targeting, etc. etc. down to a science; he just completely loses it when there are any distractions because he becomes so scared and fearful. Once Frosty is done with class, our instructor will be working with Dewey one-on-one in our house which I think will really help him a lot.
Perhaps by the time summer rolls around, we’ll have two well-behaved and highly trained dogs. I can hope anyway!