New Obedience class

So last night was Lexx's first time at our new obedience class. Things didn't start off so well, he was a complete and total brat in the car the ENTIRE way there, pacing, squeaking and generally being incredibly irritating. I did my best not to let it get to me, but I find such behaviours completely unacceptable..

I completely misjudged how long it would take to get there as the last time it was dark, pouring rain and I had NO idea where I was going, so we arrived 30 minutes early. This turned out to be a bit of a blessing since it allowed me time to walk Lexx around the property a bit and let him get some anxiety out.

When we entered the classroom, we were again the first people there and alone. This again was a blessing in disguise as Lexx would NOT shut up and was squeaking and trilling and again being generally annoying. I will give allowances since I'm sure that the room was full of yummy smells for an intact male, plus, he knew we were training because i broke out his training bag ( a bright red zipped bag that holds treats, extra leashes, an arsenal of collar types etc...

After about 5 minutes of focus exercises he relaxed and the rest of the class filed in. There was a beautiful black GSD, an english setter, a visla girl, two labs and a small dog that i don't know the breed of. Seven in total.

Several of the people had done puppy classes with this trainer so she knew them already, but she had Lexx and my names down in about 5 minutes, which I appreciate.

We started the class with Tuck sits... our nemesis...but i just pushed his bum in EVERY time. I guess consistency might help here, I'm hoping that by the end of the 8 weeks he'll get it... that is almost my ONE goal for this session. A difficult one.

The class progressed with a variety of focus and strengthening exercises, teaching walking with heads up, springing off hind legs to get them to use their hind ends ( WHAT?? lexx says... I have a HIND END????)

He did a really really good job. He accomplished every exercise with some sort of success and seemed to be really enjoying himself all the while. I spent the majority of the class with his leash on the ground and he never once went to go visiting, or ignored a command, so that in itself is a major accomplishment and improvement for Lexxball.

I left the class feeling upbeat and positive, much different from my previous "training school" experience at McCanns in Hamilton, where every class i left frustrated and defeated. Lexx's experience in obedience was helpful as his focus was supreme and some of the exercises he already knew, but it was great to go back to basics, hopefully it will help us to correct some of the things that Lexx has "learned wrong" over the last year.

Overall, I think this is going to be a good fit for Lexx and I. Its very competition based, the pace is quick and the exercises are varied. There is no long drilling speeches and no breed discrimination. The instructor pays attention to each dog and handler without being over bearing or intimidating. She also gives 3 page typed handouts explaining each exercise, our goals for it and what to watch for at the end of the class... useful for practice.

Im pleased and find myself looking forward to next week. I hope that it goes alright since Lexx is being neutered tomorrow and we won't have a lot of time to practice. I already gave him a 10 minute session this morning before work, and I will do more when I get home. Hopefully he'll be recovered enough by sunday that we can practice Sunday, monday and tuesday morning before the next class, I don't want to fall behind.