Obedience Class, Day 1

"You have a breed of dog who is independent and uninterested in what you have to say. You have to become the most important thing in your dog's life for that moment to get her to listen to what you are asking."

That was what came out of the lesson regarding how That Guy and Belle-chan are going to learn how to work together.

In our class, the following was present:

1 Shiba who attempted to kill any dog that entered her personal space bubble
1 Golden Retriever who sniffed my butt
1 Weimaraner/ Vizula mix who figured out how to leap onto the table to grab the treats.
1 One Poodle mix who never stopped barking
1 Mixed breed who looks like an evil dog that lives down the road from us but is about 8 years younger

and of course, myself, who watches it all with the stoic calmness that all Shibas should bring to an public event.

The big issue with Belle-chan for the day was to help That Guy find ways of getting her through being distracted by the other dogs. She has to practice being focused on him (That Guy pointed out that none of the dogs were focused on their People but as was pointed back, yes, but their dogs are not attempting to take command of the entire room). The solution became a Greenie, which we let her chew for a few minutes, then took away, then allowed to chew again, rinse and repeat. Her attention was focused on that, and then JL when he was holding it.

So we need to buy the really HUGE ones in order to keep her occupied.

There were some interesting reminders for The Woman that came out from the class:

1. Don't repeatedly call your dogs name or give the same command. Say it once.

2. Reward immediately.

And it quickly became apparent that She sucks at remembering to use the clicker to mark out behaviors but we know what she wants anyway.

But most importantly, we are a breed that shall remain independent. You have to work to become the most important thing in our lives, not vice versa.



I Am Shiba. I Am The Calm Amidst The Storm.