Julie's School of Dog

Class is on today- bring a hat and raincoat...

If you are getting solid stays at your side, you can pivot to the front of your dog and back- then release. Keep the "big hand" up and if your dog seems solid, add time to the pivot, but do not step away. We will start some longline work next week for those who are ready- please work a few minutes each day on the stays!

this weather should pass through- class is on- bring a jacket and rainhat...

OK Class is cancelled today, Sunday Dec 29. We have two options (or both) for getting together this week-Tuesday at noon and/or Wednesday at noon. Both will be the same.

Would my CGC class be open to cancelling today due to weather, but meeting on Wed, new years day at 12?

No Classes today- weather too unstable. Keep working on Come Forth and add time to your Stay- but do not leave your dog yet. See you next week. Have a wonderful holiday!

Stay means don't move. Use wait for a fluid wait here and keep stay for don't move. We start this exercise with just saying STAY and showing a "big hand". Do not have treats in your hand when you are working on stay. DO NOT step away from your dog. We are just teaching that stay means sit still. Please do not push stay too fast or you will have an unreliable stay down the road.

Today's exercise is the come forth. Work on this to start laying a foundation for a strong recall. If you need to, reel the dog in so he is sitting directly in front of you, so that in a dangerous situation you are able to grab the collar or put a leash on him. Always call your dog with a confident "FIDO COME!" and never ever call your dog to you when he is "misbehaving" and reprimanding him. A dog that comes to you when called is always a good dog!

This week's "homework" is to continue working on Sits and Downs and remembering one word command, and releasing and taking a step with praise and treat. Count to five or ten before releasing. Practice STAND, add it to the pushups when ready. Keep working on leash walking. Work on Supervised Separation- have a trusted friend hold your dog while you go out of sight for a few minutes. See you all next Sunday!

Terrific first day of school- almost all are under a year old- which is the perfect time to lay the groundwork of training and communication. I am so pleased that half the class is small breed dogs! Today we learned Leave It, Watch Me, started leash walking skills, sit, down, and puppy pushups... I bet all the dogs and people are tired!

First Day of CGC Basic Dog Training Class is a go! See you all a bit early for registration.