Training class is hard work, people!
JJ: Today was my first training class! I don’t have any pictures or video from my big day, but I had a blast!
Alanis: Today is also the first day of my retirement. I get to retire at the age of 4. Not because I am injured or sick. Rather, it is because I have come full circle. I learned dozens of words, and Daddy promises to keep me sharp. He learned that I love to play search games, and now hides treats around the house and in plastic Easter eggs. Most importantly, they made sure I was ready for JJ’s arrival by having play time with “Winchester”, the trainer’s young Golden Retriever. I loved going to class, but now it is JJ’s turn to see where his journey takes him.
JJ: I am the 4th Golden Retriever to enter this house, and probably the first “high drive” Golden. I have more energy than any Golden they have owned to date. I want to be a part of all the action. I slipped my Martingale (a collar that is tough to slip out of, by design!) three times in class today.
Alanis: I, for one, am not surprised….
JJ: My first day was fun! I don’t know what I was so worried about. Until today, my world consisted of nothing but Golden Retrievers. I didn’t know other dog breeds even existed!
Alanis: Just wait until you are ready to go for walks. There are dogs all over this neighborhood. We have been run after by loose dogs before, and this training will get you ready for that. Jeter used to step in front of dogs who got into “our business”, essentially protecting me from the charging dog. Will I do the same for you? I don’t know. I am a very “street aware” dog. As the trainer told Daddy, I could probably survive in the wild because of how aware I am of everything.
JJ: I was “allowed” to meet one dog today – a King Charles! We just sniffed each other, and did everything appropriate. Daddy was nervous because that dog was the first dog I ever met outside my litter or household. I did so well (as did the other dog!)
Alanis: Did you bark on Day 1? Woof! Woof!
JJ: Your reputation is known. I heard the stories on how you didn’t stop barking in the first few classes. Me? I let out a few when other dogs were excited, but I was mostly quiet. Not bad for an 11-week old!
Alanis: Did you make potty?
JJ: Surprisingly, no! Daddy thought I might because I am so young, and still don’t completely get the concept. If something was “knocking”, I held it in good. I didn’t even go potty when we left the building – I waited until we arrived at home.
Alanis: Did you learn anything?
JJ: A few things. They reinforced my sit command, which I do well. They tried to teach me “down”, but didn’t want anything to do with that…yet. I will figure it out.
Alanis: Good job!
JJ: I ate a lot of cheese today. I was wondering why they didn’t give me breakfast before class – now I know!
Alanis: I can’t tell you how many hot dogs I ate in my career!
JJ: Wait?!?!? Hot dogs?!?!?!?? I get the basic string cheese, and you were able to eat HOT DOGS???!!!?!??
Alanis: I admit to being a diva – the trainer went through a lot of different treats with me, and I started to flat out reject string cheese. You will be different than me. I had some “issues” to work through to become the girl I am today. You are getting the best training from Day 1.
JJ: I had fun. On the way home, I had an extended “happy pant” going before I passed out. My parents hadn’t seen me do that yet. I hear Jeter was enthusiastic about class. I think I will be as well, though my skill set may be different!
Alanis: The number one rule of training class is HAVE FUN! My classes turned into private classes after a while, which gave me a bit more freedom. As long as I was having fun, that is what was important. Learn your stuff – become a better dog – but have fun!
JJ: There were several other dogs in class, though I can’t tell you what their breeds are.
Alanis: Eventually, if my dog memory is good, you will start playing the “exchange” game – where you get to train with a different owner while daddy trains their dog.
JJ: You mean no daddy for five minutes?
Alanis: Yep! Best five minutes of your life.
JJ: Daddy has to bring my rope toy to class, and a long leash for something called a “Come” command. What is that?
Alanis: You have to come to these morons when they say that word. Just go along with it – there are plenty of treats just for moving 10-15 feet.
JJ: Do all of these commands come with treats?
Alanis: Yes, as long as you don’t start doing them for something other than treats – DON’T FALL INTO THAT TRAP! They will start thinking that “praise” is all you need. DON’T DO IT! I AM WARNING YOU!
JJ: Got it. Only do things for treats.
Alanis: Yep. No treats, no obedience. That is my motto.
JJ: I can’t wait until Week 2!
Me: JJ was so good today, despite his collar adventures. To describe JJ as “high energy” would be a disservice to dogs who are only high energy. JJ is high energy, high drive, and highly curious about everything. This is true of just about every puppy – it is part of their nature – but JJ brings it a level above.
I mention about having fun above – that is always my motto walking into a training class. If you have fun teaching your dog, they will pick up on it and have fun while they are learning behaviors that won’t just help them tomorrow – it will help them for a lifetime.
Overall, Week 1 went the way I expected it to. I was happy to see that he wasn’t startled if another dog started barking. I was happy to watch him interact with another dog. I have gone to training facilities with my dogs for YEARS, and I actually enjoy doing it. I hope my dogs pick up on that in their joy for walking through that door for an hour every week.
Week 2 won’t be until 3/24, as we get a week off next week. I will be teaching him some “down” and further emphasizing the “name” game. He is doing really well in learning his name.