training tomorrow night.

[Moonietx]

I am taking Winston to his first training session tomorrow evening. I am so excited. He is beginning to get a bit strong willed, so I think he and I need that extra encouragement from structured training. We are going to do the basic class first off, then hopefully if he passes that we can do the Canine Good Citizen test. Then onto the agility training. I am going to spend more money on Winston than I do on my self. But I am sure it will be worth it.


Has anyone else gone through all this with their Boxer?

 

[Brinx's Dad]

No I haven't but my boxer is starting to get a bit strong willed as well. We are signed up for a basic obidience class but it only starts in 2 months. What can I do to start his trainging here at home?

 

[stuartl]

My Wife and I have gone through most of the basic training with willow who is just over 4 months now.

It is definetly worth doing, you learn things like Sit, Lay down, Leave, Release, stay, etc.

I am not sure if it is just willow or all Boxers but our biggest task is getting her attention and keeping it, but it is just a matter of practice.

We have our test tomorrow night it is the end of the Six weeks, we are planning on going to the intermidiate course after we have mastered the above with distractions around.

You will need lots of patience and also some really good treats.

Good luck

Stu

 

[Moonietx]

Hi Brinx's Dad,

What I have been trying to do is just the basic commands with him. Sit, stay, flat and leave it. This just instills who is the boss I think. I didn't want to go to the next level without being told exactly what to do as this can confuse the dog if it is done wrong. Also try and teach him a return command aswell, as this can be a life saver for your dog. This can be taught with a long line 10-20ft, this allows the dog to experience being away from you then called back as if he is off the leash. I wish I had tried that one a while back, Winston ran into the road chasing a plastic bag and I didn't have enough voice control to make him stop. That could have turned into a catastrophe the way people drive through my sub division. Also I have been told to start giving him a treat everytime he does a command well, then slowly cut back on the treats until all he gets is praise for doing it well.

I am no expert so if anyone disagrees please say, as I don't want to give the wrong info.

 

[Kerry Jane]

Winston's First Class

How did Winston's First Class go?
I have done obedience classes with Star, and we are currently in agility training but we haven't done the canine good citizen test yet - something I definately want to do. My problem is that she is perfectly behaved in the obedience classes and does everything that I want her to do. The same is true for our back yard, but it is another story altogether when we are elsewhere. So, right now we are practising with various distractions - and this is the tough part.
Agility is a blast though - you definately need to try this!

 

[Moonietx]

Hi kerry,

Winston did very well last night. My g/f actually trained him while I trained our lab/chow mix. She thought it would be easier as he loves to please us. He was his typical self first off, but the trainer gave us one of those spiky training collars. He settled down straight away, the same with Thierry too. We just did some basic heeling and sitting as most of the class was taken up fitting the collars on all the dogs. But, he calmed down and was really good, following all the commands he was given. I think he really loved showing off in front of everyone. I am hoping he can keep it up when start on the difficult exercises, the thing he won't do on command is go flat, drives me mad.

I am not sure if I lke the spiky collar, I was rubbing his neck last night and it seems very raw, maybe the collar was to tight. What do people think of those collars?

 

[stuartl]

what is a spiky collor and how does this help with training, I am from England and have not come across this.

 

[Jan]

Are you talking about the prong collar? They are cruel and discussing them here is not allowed. I would refuse to use it and if your training facility insists on using them you need to find a new trainer. They are obviously not using positive reinforcement. :(

 

[Moonietx]

Jan,

Sorry I didn't know I wasn't allowed to mention "you know what". But thank you for the advice in your post about not using them.

 

[Brinx's Dad]

Brinx

I'm trying to get him to do the basic commands first. Right now he can sit, come, stay, up, give us both paws. He is very smart and very eager to learn when you have his attention. I am enrolled in a class for january but was hoping to get him in earlier then that. Oh well, what can you do I guess? i'll just keep training him at home in the mean time. I might also try the long lead idea, have been thinking about it, but it is getting pretty cold up here, he wouldn't like staying out for any long period of time...