Post by catstina on Jan 19, 2013 21:06:41 GMT -5
Saxon and I have started a training class to help work on his listening skills around other dogs and in exciting situations. I also need help teaching him to "eliminate" on command. I always forget just how good he is when I am in the right state of mind, so I was pleasantly surprised with his performance last night. We worked on the first few items of the CGC, which Saxon is already stellar at, but while the trainer worked with the others, we practiced leaving high value treats.
There is an American Bully in the class who is pretty scary. I've met a few American Bully dogs and they seemed like nice enough dogs, but this one legitimately scares me. The owner/handler runs a Bull Breed rescue and a local gym. I'm glad he is strong and has a solid leash because when we walked into the class the dog let out a roar, lunged in our direction and continued to growl, bark and snap the air as if he were rabid. He did the same randomly throughout the class and whenever a dog shook off or the trainer got to close to him (yes, that't right, he's aggressive towards people, as well). According to his owner (and the trainer agreed), he has no warning signs and goes from 0-60 in seconds. I hope they can work out the dogs issues, but I also hope that, if they can't, they will do the right thing. The owner says he's never bitten any one, but from what I've seen in class, it's only a matter of time. I know he wants to try and "save" this dog, but I hope he knows when it's time to stop and move onto a dog that isn't a danger to others.
On the other hand, though, I'm glad he's in the class because it will teach Saxon to ignore aggressive behavior like his and listen to me even in situations where there is a dog behaving aggressively. Also in the class is a French Bulldog, a large Pit Bull, and an American Bulldog. I'm glad the class is smaller because it gives the trainer more chance to do one on one training with each dog. She is really awesome and really knows her stuff!
Any way, here are a couple of pictures of my dog being awesome!
In this picture Saxon is focussed on me, despite having some of his favorite treats in from of him and the AmBully in the opposite end of the room barking like he wants to eat all of the other dogs in the class (note one ear is back, though, he is listening to the other dog, so not 100% focussed).
Here, there is a handful of his favorite treats on that chair behind him and that same American Bully barking behind me, Saxon is 100% focussed on me.
I'm so pleased with how well he did and look forward to next week's class!
There is an American Bully in the class who is pretty scary. I've met a few American Bully dogs and they seemed like nice enough dogs, but this one legitimately scares me. The owner/handler runs a Bull Breed rescue and a local gym. I'm glad he is strong and has a solid leash because when we walked into the class the dog let out a roar, lunged in our direction and continued to growl, bark and snap the air as if he were rabid. He did the same randomly throughout the class and whenever a dog shook off or the trainer got to close to him (yes, that't right, he's aggressive towards people, as well). According to his owner (and the trainer agreed), he has no warning signs and goes from 0-60 in seconds. I hope they can work out the dogs issues, but I also hope that, if they can't, they will do the right thing. The owner says he's never bitten any one, but from what I've seen in class, it's only a matter of time. I know he wants to try and "save" this dog, but I hope he knows when it's time to stop and move onto a dog that isn't a danger to others.
On the other hand, though, I'm glad he's in the class because it will teach Saxon to ignore aggressive behavior like his and listen to me even in situations where there is a dog behaving aggressively. Also in the class is a French Bulldog, a large Pit Bull, and an American Bulldog. I'm glad the class is smaller because it gives the trainer more chance to do one on one training with each dog. She is really awesome and really knows her stuff!
Any way, here are a couple of pictures of my dog being awesome!
In this picture Saxon is focussed on me, despite having some of his favorite treats in from of him and the AmBully in the opposite end of the room barking like he wants to eat all of the other dogs in the class (note one ear is back, though, he is listening to the other dog, so not 100% focussed).
Here, there is a handful of his favorite treats on that chair behind him and that same American Bully barking behind me, Saxon is 100% focussed on me.
I'm so pleased with how well he did and look forward to next week's class!
I look forward to learning much here