Playtime at puppy class


Emma meets Frank, a chocolate Lab puppy

Last night was Puppy Class #3, and it went considerably better than last week. Will and Emma both did well on most of the things they were to do. They both respond really well to their names now, even though we are to continue practicing this every day so there is no doubt about it. It’s all tied to the recall command. You have to be sure they not only know their name but respond to it each and every time you use it. The key is to not use it in anger or as a reprimand, which is very, very difficult!

They were also both good with the sit-stay and down-stay, even when distracted by Karen, the teacher. However, when it came to walking a straight line beside us, well, this was a different story. Will did not want to walk, look at me or pay any attention to me whatsoever. All he wanted to do was look around the room and watch what the other puppies were doing. It was all I could do to get him to the end of the 10 foot line of cones without dragging him. Emma was better, but not too much better. Most of the pups were about the same, until we got to Otis, the blond labradoodle. We were all impressed with Otis, the blond labradoodle, and his mom, Gina. She had him prancing right along beside her the whole way, with her confident and encouraging voice calling out ‘Walk with me’ the whole way. She didn’t even really need to coax with a treat, but did hold it in her left hand down by her side to attract the usually shy and fluffy Otis. They were so good they really deserved applause!

Needless to say, we will be practicing walking properly this week, and using the command ‘walk with me’, which sounds a lot better than ‘let’s go’. It’s worth a try!