Bella, Dave and I started Advanced Training Class last Saturday. We originally signed up for the 5:00 class but no one else signed up for that class. And interactions with other dogs and people are really important to the Advanced Class curriculum. Sarah, our trainer, told us there was a 4:00 Advanced Class which started on June 2nd and we could join that class for the rest of their sessions. But attending a 4:00 class would be difficult with Dave's work schedule. After discussion with Sarah we decided to attend the 4:00 class at 4:30 and then have private session starting at 5:00 as needed. It was pretty nice of Sarah to be so flexible and we will get private lessons!
Last Saturday we arrived at class around 4:15-4:20. A little early, which was good because they had not officially started class and were still in the play time. Bella joined in with the other dogs in play. And she got along with them as if they were old friends.
This class has four playmates. All of which had been in the same Puppy, Intermediate and now Advanced Training Classes together. We were not officially introduced so I am unsure on their names. First was a 9 month old gorgeous Tri Red Australian Shepherd. Two Goldendoodles, one black (10 months) and one cream (7 months). And finally and most likely Bella new best friend, a 9 month old Airedale Terrier.
Sarah started class with supervised separation. The advanced class is a prep class for the CGC. One of the test items is supervised separation. Sarah took each pup for a short walk around the store without its owner. And everyone passed with flying colors including Bella. Which I was worried about since Bella has never been away from Dave or I for a walk. It was like she didn’t even notice we weren't there. Next we practiced Sit and Stay with distractions. Sarah ran around the room throwing tennis balls. Again everyone did very well. Next we left the training and went out to the store floor to practice walking though a crowd and reaction to another dog. A couple store employees made up a crowd and each dog walk though it without being distracted. Everyone was doing very very well! Next for reaction to another dog, two dogs walked by each other down an aisle. The first time Bella tried, she really wanted to say hi but I gave her a correction and she responded. Sarah said she was impressed anyway. By the fourth time she made no movement to say hi and Sarah was super happy with the progress.
We went back inside the training room to practiced being groomed and petted. We received our handouts and class was over.
As I mentioned earlier, this Advanced Class is a prep class for the CGC. All of the dogs in the class, Bella too, are going to take the CGC at the end of the class. Since this class started on June 2nd it will end before we finish. (we will continue on until July 21st). So everyone will take the CGC the first or second week of July. I am not sure if Bella will take the test then. If Dave, Sarah and I think she could be ready for the test there is no harm in taking it. It would be good practice if she failed. And then we would have two or three more classes to practice on the trouble areas.
Our homework for this week has been to start using her collar more. We have only been walking her using the EZ Walk Harness and that will not be allowed for the test. So we are starting to introduced the collar on walks. We are also using Draco when training for the “Reaction to another dog”. We all go outside and walk in opposite directions toward each other on the sidewalk. And it seems Bella did much better in class than she has done at home. But we will continue to work at it.
I am feeling a lot more pressure to do well in this class than any other class. I know it is because the CGC is looming in our future and Dave and I are worried she will not pass. But she is smart and we need to make the effort at home to practice and let her know what she needs to do. I just need to focus on positive thoughts…like her CGC certificate framed and hanging on the wall!
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