Sunday Shenanigans.... Aka - Dog School Adventures

So Ned has been with us a few months now, and one of my promises to Luke if I got another dog was that I would enrol him or her in obedience classes. So last week, Sunday 3rd April, we started with the Shepparton and District Dog Obedience Club.

The first class came at a bad time, we had finally arrived home at 2am the night before from 4wding, and after a cruddy night sleep on the Friday, a 7am wake up and get organised was not looking good...

Class for new dogs starts the first Sunday of the month at 9am, We had to be there at 8:45 so by 8am we were all loaded into the Pajero raring to go. Achy after my fall the day before I was really dreading school, I had no idea what to expect considering Ned had only been socialised with other dogs and travelled in the car when he was in the pound and when we brought him home.

We got less than a km from home and I was already asking to go home. Ned kept sooking and barking and howling, even though we were paying him attention and had his favourite toy with him. So we pulled over and he sat in front with me. Things went a bit smoother from there and we arrived at dog school about 40 minutes later.

I went in to enrol and pay membership fees while Luke walked Ned around the oval. I was gone less than 20 minutes but by the time I got back to Luke and Ned he was at the end of his tether and was struggling to keep him under control. Ned was extremely excited (understandably). This was where I took over and as instructed inside walked Ned amongst the other dogs. This was to encourage socialisation and calm him down. We were going well until he met a massive doberman looking dog. It was HUGE. Ned instantly collapsed, rolled over, tounge hanging out his mouth and closed his eyes - he was playing dead!! I couldnt stop laughing at him! I am annoyed at myself for not getting a photo of this, the big dog kept sniffing and then when Ned thought it was safe he jumped up and went to keep socialising with other dogs "more his size"

The first lesson went ok, considering my eyes were hanging out of my head I learnt lots. We studied how to get our dogs to sit, heel and also do a right about turn and then were congratulated on our efforts and sent home to practice. Ned and I practiced madly for 10-15 minutes each day, heeling (walking alongside) then sitting, then heeling and then a right about turn and before we knew it week 2 had rolled around.

This morning we were running late, I had trouble getting started so early on a Sunday morning. My body kept telling me "But its the weekend stupid!" We arrived spot on 9am and had no time to socialise or calm down. It had been raining overnight and the wind was freezing! The lesson started with recapping what we had learnt the previous week. Of course because Ned hadnt had a chance to socialise he wanted to play with his new friends and was not interested in heeling or sitting or turning around. This went on for about 10 minutes before we moved on to our next lessons - Getting our dog to stay, come and do right angle turns. WOW. I was so scared Ned would bolt away, but it was nothing like what I expected. We had a hold of he dogs leads the whole time and by the end of the lesson Ned had no qualms in staying and then running to me when called. I can't wait to see how he responds in the future and eventually off the lead!

So I guess so far it is all good.  I must admit by the end of the lesson we are both buggered. Ned and I both crash in the car and Luke enjoys some silence for the trip home, then Ned and I both had a few hours sleep when we get home!

I will update you all again after our 4th lesson. The "beginners" class goes for 4 weeks and then we are graduated to the next level if we want to. After 6 weeks of dog school they hold a graduation ceremony too. Fingers crossed we both have the patience to make it that far!

You can find more info on the Shepp Dog Obedience Club Here
Ciao for now