Puppy socialisation class last night

[Sheila]

Lucy and I took Lottie along to her first puppy class last night.

It was a nice small class, only 5 of us.

There was even another little cocker there though . A cute little 10 week old boy.

Lottie behaved really well for the first half hour and the instructor used her to demonstrate sit etc.What a little star
By the second half she was getting tired, she usually sleeps during the evening after her tea, so she was getting a bit irritable.

However, she loved the off the lead play time.

The clicker training is going great, she is such a little greedy guts that anything connected with food interests her immediately.
We now have to practise sit, down and watch using the clicker for next week.

I think the clicker is brilliant. Lucy took her for a short walk before school and had the clicker and treats aswell. She came back so excited, because Lottie had done two sits and watches for her, even with the distractions of the big outside world. That's one very proud mummy ( Lottie is Lucys puppy).

Lucy hadnt let her off the lead to try the exercises though, but I might give them a try offlead when I take her out later today.

I am amazed how quickly they understand the idea of the clicker.
I thought that Goldie had been fairly quick to learn, although that was in the days of choke collars :shock:  YUCK
Lottie seems very bright and eager to learn, she is a joy to teach.

Maybe I am biased .....but cockers appear to be very intelligent, I've definitely fallen for the breed.                    

[PennyB]

Wilf would behave impeccably during the 1st half of his puppy class and then when we did the sit-stay in the 2nd half he always did the best one much to the amusement of the cocker's owner next to me as she couldn't stop laughing for his snoring—bless, in the early days it was too much for him so he used to go to sleep every time I put him in the sit-stay LOL Ruby on the other hand used to try to dig her way out of her puppy class and then failing that just ate the dirt (we were using a riding arena for that one).

Cockers, don't you just love them

Glad you enjoyed your 1st class                    

[lizzy]

I'm really pleased Lottie was such a good girl for, she sounds like a little angel! I agree with you Sheila, I think cockers learn very quickly, a little training and effort and in no time you have a loyal friend ( who can read your mind  :wink: )

Lizzy Molly and Evie                    

[Laura]

I am over the moon that your class went well and you enjoyed it.  I'm as green as can be now - still haven't got myself a clicker class :cry:

I am going to start the clicking for attention today - You could keep posting me your homework to follow to keep me on track!!  After sit, down and attention I will teach a couple of fun little tricks - stops training from becoming a chore - my kids love that bit as well!  My eldest daughter taught Brogan to weave through her legs - she was so pleased with herself when it got introduced months down the line at training class!

I have a clicker sitting on the side now with some treats at the back door - now that Bailey understands that click means treat - I will start using the C + T for toileting outside.  

I still don't quite know how to C + T if the 2 dogs are together at any time - need to seek advice on that one.  Maybe they know by who you are looking at?  Don't know though if that would desensitize the clicker for the other one though?  This is why I need a trainer!!

Wishing you lots of continued success!!  What a clever girl you are Lottie!                    

[Pipers Mummy]

Well done Lottie     What a good girl.  

Actually, Piper wears a 'part choke chain' and always has done.  Dunno how I came to get her wearing those as it has never been used as a training aid at classes etc.  Think I will invest in one of those lovely collars that Bluesmum mentioned a while ago - saw a lovely red one with gold love hearts... :wink:

Good luck with the clicker training.  I've never done that myself but I have heard that you get really good results                      

[Sheila]

I hadn't thought about the clicker being used with two dogs, until I got home last night :oops:

Goldie has never been clicker trained, but when we used it with Lottie this morning Goldie wanted to join in the training. So I used the clicker with her, although she already knows the commands. Now I'm worried that maybe I will confuse Lottie. So I think I will just use the word commands for Goldie and keep the clicker for Lottie.
I will try to remember to ask next week though.

We have to build up to 5 seconds of watch by next week and I thought it wouldnt be possible :shock: ...Lottie doesnt sit still for long
However, when Goldie did it this morning, Lottie was looking at her all the time and when it was her turn she managed about three seconds. So she is definitely learning from Goldie and working things out for herself

Laura, I am happy to post you my homework, my daughter thought it was hilarious that her mum was getting homework like her
I'll send you a PM with the details. I hope it works.
Good luck with the clicker.....it's all in the timing, I found Lucy was much better at it than me :roll:  :oops:  So I think I will be learning with Lottie.                    

[Laura]

Got some good news for you Sheila - managed to speak to a clicker trainer this morning (- unfortunately I will not be able to attend her classes as they clash with something else :cry: am gutted)!!  Anyway I asked about clicking with 2 dogs.  You can click 2 dogs together by looking at the dog you want to C + T and completely ignore the other one - not even a glance in their direction!!  They will apparently quickly work out when it is intended for them! :wink:   She said it will confuse at first but to persevere and they will soon realize.  Important though do not C+T one dog if the other dog is doing something naughty!!  

So, I can now keep my clicker and treats with me all the time and capture those funny little quirky habits they have!!  

I was joking about the homework but yes that would be fantastic!!  Thank you!!  

Amazing how quickly they pick it up - you'll be onto a minute watch before you know it!!  When I call Bailey now he sits in front of me straight away - the size of it!!!!  Certainly saves teaching him not to jump up anyway!!                    

[lorri]

Jarvis as got sitting and everything down to a tee while at puppy training but out at the park with all the distractions what a nightmare. Whilst practising a recall a man who was walking with springers told me that cockers were the hardest to train.. But i had a little giggle when his 16 week old springer did the exact opposite of what he was asking him to do while he was trying to show off how well trained he was.

I know terrible of me.

lorraine and Jarvis                    

[Sheila]

Laura...Shame about the clicker trainer, still sounds like you are doing well on your own with Bailey.
I'm trying using the clicker with both dogs using your advice....thanks.


Lorri......I love that story, I'd have giggled too .
I didnt know cocker were hard to train :shock: .......maybe because they are so intelligent they need to understand why you want them to do something.
Still, Goldie was very difficult too. She stayed a boisterous pup for so long, but I knew that about labs. She was always last in her training class to do things :oops: . Although she did finally get a rosette for winning by the time we left. She was just very hard work.

I didnt try Lottie with her training when I was out with her, may give it a go over the weekend, but I'm not expecting instant success

I just want to make sure she is at the right stage for class next week, so I'm working hard with her and she loves all the little extra treats :roll:  


As I write this my two are curled up together on the lounge floor, looking like butter wouldn't melt ......I just love them both to bits. Even when the little demon gets me up at 5.30 to go outside :evil:                    

[taniac]

I definitely agree clicker training is great, especially to consistently instil the basics, sit/down/stay/wait/look etc.  We took Neo to a clicker class when he was small and used it to teach him various bits and pieces, he now goes to an obedience/agility class each week and his downs/sits/waits/stays are some of the best in the class.  When I see the other owners struggling to get their dogs in a down, I'm so glad that I used the clicker.

Jovi is now 20 weeks and is into his 5th week of a clicker class.  He makes me so proud, he takes such a small no. of clicks before he gets the hang of the exercise (although I'm probably really biased).  His eye contact is fantastic, much better than Neo's and am hoping he'll be better at heel work.  That's my only negative with Neo, he's such a scent hound, and won't lift his nose of the ground for more the 30 secs, during heel work he just guesses where you are and which way you're going!!!