He graduated!
 

Eddie graduated from advance-beginner class tonight, and my wife got some funny pictures. The first is of a sit-stay-with-distractions competition. He didn't win, but he finished in the top half of the class. (He beat the Scottie staring at the camera, I know that!) The second picture is of me probably breaking the instructor's hand with an overzealous, proud papa handshake. Oh, Eddie's checking out the teacher's chesapeak in the kennel. too funny.

Up next is something called Attention Class. I'm not sure what it entails, but my instructor recommended it, and it sounds like just what he needs before starting agility training. I was orginally going to repeat advance-beginner, but the instructor hinted that Eddie may not need it with this attention class.

Congrats!! I must say that Eddie looks like a little superstar
in the pictures...Good luck in your next class and thanks for
sharing your success with us!

Tips..Class ideas...lol
 

First off....Congratulations on your advanced-beginner class graduation! :D How old is Eddie? I loved the two pictures...and also impressed with his sit and the leash on the floor demonstration. ;)

Sophie went to her first Beginner Obedience Class last night. I wasn't certain what to expect. She is 5 months and was the youngest and smallest in the class. :rolleyes: We had three German Shepards, one mini poodle, one Golden, one shnauzer, one airedale, and one cocker spaniel.

Being the first class...I was a little frazzled that part of the training was for Sophie to get used to being in the room with many dogs and yet still look at me and watch. It was hard for her..but as the hour almost ended..I could see progress as she got used to the commotion of larger dogs all around us..

We worked on attention...getting their attention..and treating after that first few moments of eye to eye. Then worked on the sit and treat..It was o.k. if they popped back up she said...(which Sophie of course did) lol We would work later on the stay.

We constantly were told to change locations...and then start working again with them for attention. Most of the doggies stayed right by their owners while working...seems Sophie and I spun circles...lol :eek: She was easily distracted still...lol I'm hoping some of that is age. :cool:

Oh..and she is always really friendly to others...When the instructor came over to help me out...Miss Sophie went behind my legs and hid :confused: ...lol Our instructor didn't push ...or take her...she told me that was o.k..and to keep working with her..(So...homework this week before next Tuesday's class)

I'd ...love to hear all about the attention class Eddie gets in...Let us know. And...thanks for posting this thread because I am certainly all ears when it comes to training these days!

GREAT Pictures and CONGRATULATIONS !! I love the picture of him sitting there being so good - and by the look on the instructors face - she's LOVING shaking your hand - Very Good Boy Eddie ...Way to go !

Great Job Eddie! :thumbup: You sure know how to make your mommy and daddy proud! :D Keep up the good work! ;)

Good job, Eddie!!! :) Also, good job "Eddie's Father" ... that pic of Eddie paying attention and the Scottie staring at the camera is sooooo funny!! Congratulations on such a smart, handsome young man! ;)

Great Pics, and CONGRATULATIONS !!!

Way to go Eddie!! Luved the pic's!

I so, wanted to take pic's of Bailey when he graduated his class, But noone, made a big deal out of it, in his class, and I thought I'd look like a big screwball if I whipped the camera out,,,, I should have done it anyhow!
Great job, great pic's ( wish I had some. :( )

Congrats! :D He's so cute in that first picture. He's sitting there being so good!

What a good boy Eddie!! Hope you got lots of treats!

Way to go Eddie Congratulations!!!!!!!

Thanks for the props, everyone. I'm working on a frame for his certificate. He's probably going to expect a car as a graduation gift!

Annadoodle, Your note is deja vu from Eddie's experience. I was ready to pull him out after the first class, but each week he got better. His only real problem at the end was what you mention, he shies away from the instructors. They discovered it helps when they got down to his level.

And Villette, yeah, Eddie was the "teacher's pet," so to speak, by the end. She's a big-dog person, and I felt she was skeptical about Eddie's potential after the first week. But he definitely won her over, and both her and her assistant made a point of making sure I had him entered in another class.

Obedience 101
 

Well..thank you for telling me that Eddie also did that... :rolleyes:

I had never seen that before in her! LOL She went right behind my legs like a baby chicken...lol :p

I plan on working with her the rest of this week on everything we worked on last class. ;) Just hope that she warms up more and gets use to all of this.

She certainly stepped out of her little box..and entered a new world..lol :)

He sure looks like he's concentrating! Good baby! Good pictures, dad. and good work.

Happy Graduation to Eddie
 

Gosh, that little guy is really something. It's a real team effort and when
you both work at it, you can see the rewards are many. I have never heard
of this attention class before but it sounds wonderful and the eye to eye
contact you already have seems great. Melissa your little Sophie will come
along; it's such a different experience for her and none of us like someone
expecting us to do something we're not sure we can. When the times get
tough just say to yourself "Sorry little Sophie, you ARE going to learn this
because it can save your life. I feel every dog should have this basic
class and hopefully go on to others. Just from hearing about the energy
Eddie has and his speeeeeeeeeeed, agility should be a fun fun thing for
you both. Always enjoy Eddie's pictures!!!!