I currently spend Thursday nights at the Metro South MSPCA on the Brockton/Easton line. I assist another trainer in teaching Good Manners Classes, Puppy Classes, and occasionally Canine Good Citizen classes. Yesterday evening was the first class of a new Good Manners session and that requires a demo dog. Denise, the woman I train with, asked if I could bring Ike.
Ike was an excellent boy. We are supposed to have 5 students in this class, and only one couple showed up. That doesn't bode well. The couple is in their late 60s/early 70s and Ike grumbled a bit at the man initially. He was tall, wearing a hat, you know the drill.
However, Ike settled right down and gave me EXCELLENT attention the entire hour!
Ike demo'd "Watch" and "Sit." The trouble with "Sit" is the second I move my hand near his nose he sits. Oh well, I was able to explain it to the couple. I almost think a shelter dog would be a better demo dog as they don't know anything half the time and the other half they are so distracted it is tough to get their attention. I think it would make the behaviors seem more attainable to the students.
This session Denise is going to be my "assistant" and I am going to be the instructor. This is the last session that we will be using this program and she offered me the opportunity to teach it, hooray! I am a bit nervous, but hopefully that will pass - I have been assisting her for the past two years I should be dreaming about this stuff. I will keep you'all posted on how I do. I know that Denise will give me helpful and honest feedback.
2 months ago
5 comments:
You will do GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"I almost think a shelter dog would be a better demo dog as they don't know anything half the time and the other half they are so distracted it is tough to get their attention. I think it would make the behaviors seem more attainable to the students."
I've gotta agree with this. Amanda would almost always use one of our own dogs for demonstrating something new (unless it REALLY blew our minds, then she showed it with her dog first). Especially with people who may be new to dogs or dog training. :) It just makes it seem easier, plus the new-to-the-activity dog often makes mistakes, and therefore the trainer remembers to discuss what happens when the dogs are NOT perfect. ;D
You'll do great Julie and just think how many other classes you can talk them into taking and with whom!
Kody will be doing sub-novice and his rally o around Thanksgiving time and Sophie loved tunellers and then there is fiels in the spring oh and tracking and and and....where else will Julie send me? I loove you Julie and all your enthusiasm!
Congratulations!! Enjoy!!
Sound like we might have to get Ms. Sophie registered as a Veteran!! Just think how much fun that would be. Ooops. I am doing it again - creating more activities for you!! :P
That is AWESOME about Kody and that Sophie enjoyed the run. I am glad the rain held off long enough.
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Thank you all for the words of encouragement. It'll will be a courage challenge, but the class material itself is a piece of cake. The gent is a bit crusty (although he is REALLY into the idea of the clicker). Gonna have to work really hard on him!
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