1. Mom has to leave a treat by the door and when we get home she waits until we are 2 feet from the door and she says "Mike Go Home!" This is supposed to make me learn where home is incase I get loose. Hey, as long as I get a treat I'm game!
2. She is supposed to stand right in front of me and say "Mike, Here" or "Mike, Come" and give me a treat. (I like this treat business!) I guess I'm to learn that those words mean a reward. Next week she is supposed to do if from 2 feet away. I think we are training Mom more than me--and she needs practice!
3. We are supposed to get a very long lead. No flexi-leads. The guy with the mic says that there shouldn't be any tension on the leash when we walk. Everytime I walk away from Mom, she turns and goes the other way. It is very annoying, because I am usually heading towards something I want to see. But now I have to watch her closer!

I wonder what next week will bring? It sure is more fun than just being left in the back yard to make up my own fun running along the fence. Maybe Mom won't be so nervous around all the new people. I tried to tell her just relax and have fun! And bring on more treats!

Mike

Class 2 on 6/6/06
Well, traffic was not any better getting to class this week (so many cars...so little time!) But we made it on time this week! Yea! Mom had time to ask the guy with the mic to check my Gentle Leader. Mom had it on wrong! No wonder it bugged me--much better now. Now for the REALLY embarrassing part... There was a spot of blood on the floor. The mic guy came over to Mom and asked if I was a female in heat--because it was near where he was fixing my gentle leader! Of course, Mom stuck up for me and said "HIM, Mike!?!" The mic guy said "Guess not!" How could he think I was a girl!

I found out that the cute Golden next to me was Ella, very nice girl. I really didn't like the Wiemeraner--he kept staring at me! I got in trouble each time I wanted to talk back to him. I just needed to let him know where I stand. The labradoole thing was so bouncie! Can you say ANNOYING! There was a young Lab that did not like his Gentle Leader, but he eventually got over it. I like mine! Mom seems to like it too.

The guy with the mic did ALOT of talking this time. Bla Bla Bla. I just laid at Mom's feet and she rubbed my ears. I did do some talking back. Ella's Mom thought it was cute how I "talked." We have SO much to work on, but it does involve treats, so that is fine with me. He made sure that we understand that we not be confusing in our commands. Calling our name without a command does confuse us. We are to make sure we always add the command..."Mike Come!"

We have to come up with a "Special" word. This word comes with Mom holding my collar with both hands, saying the special word and then giving me REALLY yummy treats like hotdogs, lunch meat, etc. This special word is supposed to mean the good stuff has been brought out and I am to come fast! I'd suggested "food" for our special word, but I think we are going to use "Mokey!"

Ok, here is the really annoying one...Leave It. Mom puts a treat in her hand and each time I try to take it she closes her hand and says "Leave it." After a while I stop trying and look at her in the eyes--THEN she gives it to me! He used me again as a demo dog. He also put the treat on the floor and covered it with his foot each time he said leave it.

Mom is supposed to have a soft beanbag or rolled up sock with her. She askes me to come from far away, if I don't come, she tosses the beanbag to get my attention and then brings me over to where she called. I don't have a problem with coming. I am so happy to get the attention when I am called!

We started the basics of clicker training. Guess what! Mom has a clicker already--she just clicks her tongue! He said there is no need to buy a clicker that will get lost or not be with you when you need it! We had these "fancy" magic wants. Actually it was a stick with a wiffle golf ball stuck to the end. When I touch my nose to the ball, Mom clicks her tongue and gives me a treat. Once I figure out that the object of this silly game is to touch the ball, she will add the word "touch" along with it. I guess this will lead to more things--do ya think?!

We are to still work on paying attention when we are on a long leash. But guess what? I already watch Mom where ever she goes. They have nicknamed me Shadow or Velcro. Sometimes I make her grumpy, because she can't get up and walk across the room or upstairs unless I am with her! But I LOVE being right there next to her!

More next time!

Mike

Class 3 on 6/13/06
Sorry this is late, Mom and the rest of the family (but not me and Jules) went on vacation. We had our third class and boy was it fun! Mom got there in plenty of time so I had a chance to relax and meet the other dogs as they came in. Molly went with us--she has been working with me alot. Guess what!?!?! I wasn't used as a demo dog once! I didn't get squirted in the face with water OR any bean bags thrown at me! I was such a good boy! The Aussie puppy was the one that kept barking. He got quite a few bean bags tossed at him! Oh, there was the cutest 3 month old sheltie puppy there--Kipper! He had been going the the later class. He was very good (I'm not surprised since he is of the herding group too!)

I am much better at walking on the leash. I need to watch Mom's left leg better--she keeps bumping into me! We worked on the touch command. We each had to show the guy with the mic how well we did. He said I did very well! He gave us ideas on how to expand the command to help us walk at Mom's side.

We learned about labeling commands. Mom is supposed to roll a ball or toy down a narrow hallway and say "get it!" when I go after it, "pick it up" and "bring it here." Eventually, by doing it and hearing the commands I will figure out what the words are supposed to mean. We are supposed to use "hold it" and "drop it" too.

We also learned about "conferences." Not good. If we do something bad, like tear up a pillow, jump on someone, etc, then we get a "conference." We are shown what is wrong, then they take ahold of our collar on both sides and calmly start telling us what we did wrong. Once we break eye contact and our body posture changes then we are done. If we are mad about it, we are to lifted up off our front feet. If we are really mad, then they can walk us backwards. Sometimes conferences can take several minutes. It isn't supposed to be done on puppies, because they are just puppies and shouldn't be left alone to get into trouble. I don't think I will need conferences, I am a pretty happy-go-lucky dog!

We haven't practiced too much since the family was on vacation. Only 2 more classes! I think this is fun and I would like to go to more afterwards!

Mike

Class 4 on 6/20/06
Class was fun this time! I think the guy with the mic is starting to like me. I was the demo dog for walking closely on leash and staying close to his leg. I think he used me because I did great! He did 3 little jerks on the leash to make sure I knew he was turning and to stay close. Oh, the funny part was the people were squirted if they didn't have a slack leash!! It was too funny!!! (Mom did good though and didn't get squirted.)

Most of the time I just laid there with my chin on my crossed paws--he said I looked like I was meditating! We worked more on walking, the touch command and some silly short links of chains that make a funny noise. It is supposed to tell us we are doing something wrong, like the reverse of the clicker. It is to help with boundary training and stuff like chasing cats--like that is bad??

Next week is the last class!

Mike

Class 5 on 6/27/06
Wow! This was our last class! We reviewed all the things we had learned. The guy with the mic said that it wasn't so much a dog training class as an owner training class! Too funny! We got there just as class was starting so I didn't get to greet the other dogs like I like to. When we walked around on leash, I tried to do it then, but mom kept me close to her!

We learned about the "whistle then missle." Not good! If we do something really really bad, like get into the trash, jump on the back door, bark as people come to the front door, etc, we hear a whistle (the negative of the clicker), then a missle is thrown at us. The missle is supposed to be a rolled up towel. I haven't gotten the "whistle then missle" yet, and I am SO glad!

A new dog came when the class was just about over. They wanted to watch and see if they liked the class. Boy did we all sound off about this! I wasn't the only one that barked and talked to him. They guy with the mic said that we all had gotten used to each other and it was no biggie, the "pack" changed when this dog came in. It kept eyeing me too, of course I had a few extra comments for the new dog. But after a while we all ignored him. Especially after I had to get up and walk around so I would focus on Mom and not the new dog.

I really liked class. I got to go for rides and meet other dogs. I think I could use more socialization and then I wouldn't be so barky about new dogs. I will miss Ella. She was so nice and the shelti was SO cute! We need to practice, rather Mom needs to practice with ME!

psssst...here is a neat thing...I might have a forever home! The lady sounds so nice, Mom talked to her on the phone--I would get to go to work with her! I hope she won't mind that I like to lay at her feet, that way I can be close and have my belly rubbed. I'm SO excited! But I will miss Mom, the girls and Dad. I think Jules is ready for me to go, but I will miss her too!

Mike