[Karebru]

Sadie and Sparky started obedience classes last night. It’s in a big, gymnasium-size building. 25 or 30 dogs of all shapes and sizes, and their handlers. (…of all shapes and sizes.) Spark was mesmerized by the whole thing. Sadie, who’s done this before and knows the routine, spent the whole hour trying to figure out where Mama was hiding her reward treats. They both, however, sailed through the “sit and stay” exercises because they already know them. Next week is “heeling”. (Something Sadie flunked last time.)
Here’s where the progress starts.

 

[Murphys Dad]

Good luck to you all! We had such a great time doing obedience with Jersey. She too, flunked the heel command. She still hasn't quite gotten it.

 

[Karebru]

Thanks, Jen.
Karen still teases me about Sadie’s first time, when the trainers voice came over the loud speakers…

<span style="font-size: 17pt">“Don’t drag the beagle!”</span>

 

[MariaK]

Our class is outside and guess what happens when a Beagle goes to a new park every week!!!

We didn't have to drag Blue, he drags us but only to the end of the six foot lead and his chain collar. He is doing well and we were lucky to find an instructor that says let the Beagle be a Beagle, if his nose is working that is fine. She doesn't make him walk head up as long as he isn't pulling the lead we have an acceptable heel. Good thing, or we probably won't be graduating next weekend.

Good luck with the training!!

 

[Murphys Dad]

There were about 10 or 12 difference classes at the dog park; beginner, intermediate, advanced, small dog, medium sized, larger, huge. The Bagel had to meet every dog in every class! We'd go a hour early, meet everyone as they showed up. If Bagel saw a dog he hadn't met, he'd let out an arrrooo, and everyone knew the friendly beagle. The only command he wouldn't do consistenly was the down command, but if you check it out, beagles DO NOT sit. They appear to sit, but you can slide a piece of paper under their butt when they sit, all their weight is still on their haunches. Check it out, don't ask me why, but irf you watch em really sit, they do it in a most awkward manhner with one leg out and the weight on the side of the butt. Have fun, keep a small tasty treat in the palm of your left hand and you'll have your beags attention when they are heeling.

 

[Opus]

Originally Posted By: Karebru
<span style="font-size: 17pt">“Don’t drag the beagle!”</span>

Does that apply to all of us??

 

[Brien]

Wow, 25-30 dogs! We're just about finished with a puppy class at Petsmart and there are only 6 dogs. And that's crazy enough. I can't image that many. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Zookeeper]

LOL at dragging the beagle!

That reminds me of the time, years ago, my bosses wife took her dog to classes and for some reason, their idiot trainer told them to bring pepper spray to control the dog (I would have walked away right then). Well, sure enough, she tried it, had the bottle the wrong way, sprayed herself in the eyes, couldn't see, the dog (Husky) dragged her around the room, into and over a few chairs until they got the situation under control. She came home and walked in, handed my boss the leash and dog and said, I quit.

Luckily, Duke's trainer also let beagles be beagles and told us just to let him sniff on walks as long as he isn't pulling, she said that's what a hound does, sniffs his way through walks.

 

[iain langman]

Good luck with the classes. All ours have done indoor training classes and all have really enjoyed meeting all the other dogs.

 

[Karebru]

It <span style="font-weight: bold">is</span> a big class, in a big room. The instructor uses amplification to be heard, but there are also a couple helpers wandering around the room looking for anyone needing help. She is also very good at keeping things under control… Always on top of things. As class started, there were a couple larger dogs barking. She said, “I can’t have that. No one will hear me.” She immediately changed gears. Gave a quick lesson in how to make them stop. It worked. Everyone was quiet, then she went on.

Interacting with the other dogs is a no-no….

“This isn’t puppy class. You can get that at Petsmart. This is obedience.” Of course, the 4 of us are a family and it would be silly to not let packmates interact, but by the end of the first class we realized that during exercises we should move to different spots in the room so Sadie and Sparky can concentrate on which ever one of us is handling them instead of each other.