Puppy training

[roland and meg]

Our first puppy we decided to do every thing right and she didn't go out until the day the vet and all the books said she could.

We were very careful to let her greet people and keep her feet on the floor. She was always excitable and would often race round the garden just to get some energy out

We signed her up for puppy classes that were held in the local vets reception area. the first session went very well. Each dog was allowed (on the lead) to go round and meet each person and dog. the next couple of sessions were uneventful too and we progressed from "sit" without being held with both hands to another owner holding our dog and it coming almost straight to us on being called.

Our final session to be held in reception before we graduated to out doors was to be probably my most embarrassing doggy moment ever. Each dog was let off the lead in turn and allowed to go round the room to greet the various dogs and owners. Some hid under their owners chairs, others with a lot of tail wagging greeted each dog as if it had just met a new best friend. One golden retriever puppy just barked at everyone in turn then bit his owner who was trying to control it, the puppy class instructor intervened and the retriever bit her too. All the dogs were pretty excited now and it was our turn to do some untethered greeting.
The first couple of, you sniff mine, I'll sniff yours, went well, then a velvety brown thing leapt forwards, chest on the ground front legs out straight and I swear I heard him say "chase me".
That was it our puppy shot off round the room as if some sort of time trial was to be had.
Doing the dog equivalent of handbrake turns at each end. Clearly fed up with the restrictions of the length of the room she rather impressively I thought used bitey Labrador as vaulting box onto the laps of the 10 people on the right side of the room, missing a clipped yapping poodle down to the end. Sharp left turn With a single touch floor (points lost for that) leapt onto the chest/stomach of the huge (needed a chair and half) man, with his sausage dog. on to the right hand side of the room and a further 8-10 people to be used in the completion of the game of off ground, with me at the end still, for some reason, seated. Final leap from my thigh onto the bags of Science Plan and up onto the reception counter
Boxes of opening time cards, a collection box and what I think must have been a vase with glass marbles in, went the far side of the chest high reception counter, clearly traction on the diary telephone and computer keyboard were not as good as she was used to and these hit the floor.
I can only think it was shock because I, and all my fellow puppy owners were still seated when a very sorry looking brown face came round the far end of reception hanging its head.and wagging just the tip of her tail between her legs.
Just as I got up she decided that a wee in the middle of the floor was what needed next.
The woman next to my daughter said under her breath "thank heavens it wasn't my dog"

My daughter with perfect timing said "She's from a rescue home !"

It's been a while since I've had to stay behind after class, but the embarrassment does not lessen with time.

The following week was out doors in the local park, I wore dark glasses, but still the rest of the class recognised us.

[StuartL]

That's one of the best stories ever

I think my favourite part of the whole thing is that she was just having fun. There was no aggression etc.

[lou]

sounds like doggy heaven to me!

[roland and meg]

[niki]

I guess thyey weren't impressed by those training methods then

[mandy & sakari]

Keep those stories comming,
Wouldn`t it be great to put down our experiences with our dogs down on paper and turn them into a book.
Mandy

[StuartL]

Might be a good fundraiser?