Our little Percy started school yesterday. We're going to Hearts & Paws, which is right down the road from our house. (http://www.heartsandpaws.com/) We had started a class there with Sophie, but she was so fearful, she spent most of the class either halfway under my chair or just frozen with worry. We weren't getting very far, so we dropped out & opted for more socializing before starting up again. Now she is a dog park regular & has been getting the courage to go up to total strangers for a sniff. If they are extra intriguing, they'll even get a little lick as well! She gets very excited about car rides, walks & going to visit her "grandparents" & Wallace. She really has come SO far. It's been an amazing journey!
Percy's class went fairly well. He knew most of the basics we went over last night like "sit" & name recognition. However, we're pairing everything with hand signals now & that's new for him so I know he wasn't bored. ;o)
He has had two growling instances in the past & last night made our third. When we got there he was a wild man on his leash so they offered us a Gentle Leader Easy Walker Harness. It's like a regular harness, except that the leash clips in the front. If the dog pulls, he is redirected & almost turned around because of the position of the leash on the harness. While he was getting fitted for it, he growled at one of the instructors. She backed off & came back with lots of treats, distracting him while she did her thing, & he was fine. His growling concerns me & I definitely want to nip that behavior ASAP!! The instructor said that it didn't worry her & that we'd continue to work on it. She said it's obvious that he wants to please & is easily treat driven - both being really promising. Yay! Good news!!
We go once a week on Tuesday nights & we get homework, too! I'll try to keep my posts up to date with his progress. With a little bit of luck, he'll get all the moves down, then come home & teach Sophie!
We Moved!!!
12 years ago
