May 30, 2019 | Roxie's Classes
Today was a very proud day for any mother! My baby graduated! I couldn't be happier with the intelligence she demonstrates in how quickly she learns new skills....My FUR-baby, that is!
Five weeks ago, we began a basic obedience training class where Roxie and I were the students in a "group" class. Our first day, there was one other little (and I mean LITTLE) puppy in the class with us. Being that it was Roxie's first class, she was pretty excited! I mean, who isn't excited their first day of school, right?! The only problem is that she couldn't understand why she wasn't able to play with that little puppy. She does have 3 canine siblings and 1 feline sibling with an identity crisis, after all! That's not why we were there and after a couple laps around the classroom away from the puppy she calmed down enough to focus on me and not that other baby. Sadly, I think the owner of that puppy feared Roxie due to her breed mix. She seemed to ensure that her pup didn't get out of arm's reach of her. Then the little thing sneezed and I thought she was going to rush her to the vet! She asked, "She does that! Is it alright or should I take her to the vet?" Our wonderfully patient instructor trainer reassured the mom that it was perfectly normal and it was simply a natural reflex. I take the hint, and Roxie and I move about 6 more feet away from her so that there's at least 30 feet between the two dogs. The rest of the class we worked on things like shaping and luring skills. Roxie got the hang of it quickly and we were able to go ahead and move into the "Sit & focus" skill while the lady was working on her own frustrations that poor puppy was just as frustrated and you could tell that neither of them were having fun. Well, I made sure that Roxie was having fun at all times during her entire curriculum and it really helped. I only found myself getting frustrated with her at one point while working on loose leash skills. But after a quick couple of minutes rest, I reevaluated what we were doing and again made it fun for both of us!The rest of the classes were smooth and we both began to look forward to our sessions.
I'm telling you all this because I know what it means to train your own personal dog as well as help you train yours! I actually tend to neglect my training duties as a pet parent, and focus on every other dog I come into contact with. Between the shelter pups, the paying clients, being a mother with all that to do also... I stay rather busy and my pups are not as well behaved as yours will be when we're through. But now, Roxie will be able to keep up with your baby to begin with, but not for long! I've already enrolled her into the next level of obedience classes, because it seems to be the only times I get to work with her one-on-one and she enjoys learning so very much! Stay tuned for another update about Roxie's Classes!
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