Lexie starts obediance class today....

[luckylady]

.....in about 1 hour to be precise. I'm hoping she doesn't get expelled!

Lexie is about 1 1/2 years old. For whatever reason, we never got her to a class when she was younger, though we always wanted to, meant to, and now she needs it bad! She has such a feisty, hyper personality, a little on the dominant side, and walking on a leash???? Did I say walking??? More like pulling; no matter how hard I try or what I do......she continues to pull. Can't take her much of anywhere without her barking at every other dog (or person) she sees; hence my wondering if she will even be able to last through her first class. I certainly hope they do her some good.
It should make for an interesting (or embarassing) class time.
Wish us luck! Please

[daisy mae06]

Originally Posted by luckylady

.....in about 1 hour to be precise. I'm hoping she doesn't get expelled!

Lexie is about 1 1/2 years old. For whatever reason, we never got her to a class when she was younger, though we always wanted to, meant to, and now she needs it bad! She has such a feisty, hyper personality, a little on the dominant side, and walking on a leash???? Did I say walking??? More like pulling; no matter how hard I try or what I do......she continues to pull. Can't take her much of anywhere without her barking at every other dog (or person) she sees; hence my wondering if she will even be able to last through her first class. I certainly hope they do her some good.
It should make for an interesting (or embarassing) class time.
Wish us luck! Please

Oh Rose .. I wish you great luck... where are you going?
If they don't help you let me know I see what I can do..

[maggiesmom_2007]

Oh my Lexie sounds just like Maggie. She pulls when we walk and challenges every single dog she can see or hear. But she is good at listening to everything else. It is just when we go anywhere there aren't Yorkies.

[luckylady]

We're taking her to Petsmart. We took Lucky there when he was young; enjoyed it alot. So, we'll see; different trainer this time.

How can you help.....are you a dog trainer too?

[daisy mae06]

Originally Posted by luckylady

We're taking her to Petsmart. We took Lucky there when he was young; enjoyed it alot. So, we'll see; different trainer this time.

How can you help.....are you a dog trainer too?

Not a paid one but I can help... LOL I should do it for a living..

We did Petsmart with Pixie and Bre. I wanted someone else to help her LOL
that was when I realised I could really be a trainer. the trainer we had was at Shadow lake. but I talked to her Saturday and she is leaving petsmart.

[ChicoRico]

Originally Posted by luckylady

.....in about 1 hour to be precise. I'm hoping she doesn't get expelled!

Lexie is about 1 1/2 years old. For whatever reason, we never got her to a class when she was younger, though we always wanted to, meant to, and now she needs it bad! She has such a feisty, hyper personality, a little on the dominant side, and walking on a leash???? Did I say walking??? More like pulling; no matter how hard I try or what I do......she continues to pull. Can't take her much of anywhere without her barking at every other dog (or person) she sees; hence my wondering if she will even be able to last through her first class. I certainly hope they do her some good.
It should make for an interesting (or embarassing) class time.
Wish us luck! Please

There's hope! Chico who also pulled and tugged on his leash and looked like a rabbit hopping - to the point I was almost embarrassed to take him out anymore. He would bark not only at other dogs but people across the street too! At our first class we had to sit in the corner away from everyone else because he wouldn't stop barking at the other dogs in class (some where huge dogs, but that didn't matter to Chico!) Well, he adjusted to the other dogs and he graduated from class. He can walk on a leash, doesn't bark at all the dogs or people on the street (he still gets real excited though!). Just practice at home what they teach you in class and you'll be surprised. Good Luck with class.

[alaskayorkie]

Good for you! Lexie will be a more obedient dog before you know it!

My one piece of advice would be for you not to get frustrated. Have fun, and make sure she has fun. You won't see any great successes during class. Where she'll learn most is when you practice at home in the week between classes.

Success comes in tiny steps. It may not seem like she's learning anything until the class is over and you realize she's walking better on a leash.

[linz06]

Good luck! I'm having the same problem with Layla, and she's 2 and a half. I just enrolled her in classes too and we start next week! The lady running them said it would probably be beneficial for her to start in the puppy class for basics, plus she's little so it won't be a problem. There's also a 2 year old bichon that will be there! I've had a couple near misses lately where Layla has shot out the door and down the street, and wouldn't come back when I called So hopefully we'll be able to work on that!

[MIZBROWN]

Wishing Lexie best of luck in her class

[luckylady]

Originally Posted by ChicoRico

There's hope! Chico who also pulled and tugged on his leash and looked like a rabbit hopping - to the point I was almost embarrassed to take him out anymore. He would bark not only at other dogs but people across the street too! At our first class we had to sit in the corner away from everyone else because he wouldn't stop barking at the other dogs in class (some where huge dogs, but that didn't matter to Chico!) Well, he adjusted to the other dogs and he graduated from class. He can walk on a leash, doesn't bark at all the dogs or people on the street (he still gets real excited though!). Just practice at home what they teach you in class and you'll be surprised. Good Luck with class.

Wow, Chico sounds alot like Lexie! I look so forward to the day when we can go places with Lexie, not get embarrased and am able to enjoy our outings more. Thanks for showing me there is hope.

Good for you! Lexie will be a more obedient dog before you know it!

My one piece of advice would be for you not to get frustrated. Have fun, and make sure she has fun. You won't see any great successes during class. Where she'll learn most is when you practice at home in the week between classes.

Success comes in tiny steps. It may not seem like she's learning anything until the class is over and you realize she's walking better on a leash.alaskayorkie

Thanks Mike.......I've seen your pictures and videos, so advice and encouragement from you is well taken. I am so looking forward to a more well-behaved Lexie.

Good luck! I'm having the same problem with Layla, and she's 2 and a half. I just enrolled her in classes too and we start next week!linz06

Good luck to you too.........I'd be interested to hear how you and Layla do also.

[luckylady]

Whew! We made it through the first class and Lexie wasn't half bad. There are only 2 other dogs in the class, a HUGE golden retriever (a rescue I believe; about 11/2 yrs) and a springer spaniel (under 1 year old). We got there a little early and standing outside the class area, yes Lexie started her crazy barking at her classmates. We let them sniff each other, then she'd back off for a bit and start barking again. But amazingly by the time we got into the class ring, she quieted down for the most part and seemed more nervous than anything. When she did let out a bark or two, the teacher let out an "ENOUGH!", and she would stop. Tonight's class was of course a get to know you; here's what we'll be doing night, but just the fact that Lexie sat in that area with two other dogs - QUIETLY - was a success in itself.
THERE IS HOPE.

[LuvmyYorkies2]

Originally Posted by luckylady

Whew! We made it through the first class and Lexie wasn't half bad. There are only 2 other dogs in the class, a HUGE golden retriever (a rescue I believe; about 11/2 yrs) and a springer spaniel (under 1 year old). We got there a little early and standing outside the class area, yes Lexie started her crazy barking at her classmates. We let them sniff each other, then she'd back off for a bit and start barking again. But amazingly by the time we got into the class ring, she quieted down for the most part and seemed more nervous than anything. When she did let out a bark or two, the teacher let out an "ENOUGH!", and she would stop. Tonight's class was of course a get to know you; here's what we'll be doing night, but just the fact that Lexie sat in that area with two other dogs - QUIETLY - was a success in itself.
THERE IS HOPE.

Glad to hear her 1st class was a success... Look forward to hearing how the rest goes. Diva took it when she was 6mths old and I credit it with how she is today...the perfect Model dog!! I need to get the other two in there FAST!!!!

[luckylady]

Wow.........Lexie had her 2nd obediance class this evening. I was amazed!!!
Tonight's class focused on the sit command (Lexie knows this fairly well already) and loose leash walking. As the instructor discussed how we all were to walk our dogs around the store, stopping whenever the leash became taut, I laughed to myself thinking that we were not going to get very far in the store as Lexie is notorious for pulling, and pulling on the leash. If you know anything about my Lexie, you've probably heard that taking her for walks is not a very plesant outing; neither is taking her to stores such as PetSmart, Petco, etc.
Well, OMG , if I didn't know any better, I'd swear that we were walking some other dog around the store. Lexie walked with the leash loose almost the entire time we walked the store, even so far as to walk directly in between hubby and I, and the few times she did pull, she corrected it with very little coaxing. We even came across someone in the store with a large german shepherd, and though she pulled and was interested in getting closer to it, she did NOT start her normal uncontrollable barking. I was amazed and very pleased, to say the least!

Where and how did this big change/improvement come in just 2 short classes?????? I just can't believe it! I can hardly wait to see what improvements she'll show in week 3!

[LuvmyYorkies2]

Sounds like she's on her way to becoming validictorian of her class on graduation day!!! What kind of treat are you using? Are you giving her a certain voice command if or when she does start to pull and/or bark?

Keep up the good work Lexie!!

[luckylady]

Originally Posted by LuvmyYorkies2

Sounds like she's on her way to becoming validictorian of her class on graduation day!!! What kind of treat are you using? Are you giving her a certain voice command if or when she does start to pull and/or bark?

Keep up the good work Lexie!!

LOL Yolanda....actually if she keeps this up, she just MAY graduate with honors. The instructor of course had all kinds of treat examples the first night of class & we ended up buying one of them....Natures' Variety, Natural ????.....some brand with a form of Natur.... in the name. They're shaped like itty bitty pork chops; even as small as they are I still cut them into thirds for training.
The teacher said if she starts to pull, just STOP, call her back & if she didn't come, then to just stay in that spot, but once the leash becomes loose again we could continue walking. That way she learns that a loose leash means we get to move.
When she does well we use a resounding "YES!" or "Good Girl Lexie!" to praise her and of course lots of pats or hugs.