GOING TO THE LAKE!!!

[PattyInAK]

Willy, Alex and Misty here:
Tonight we are going up to the family cabin at Long Lake.  Its about a 45 minute drive from home.  Mom has tomorrow off, so we are taking off tonight and will come home Saturday afternoon.  At first mom was going to just take Willy so they could work on his training.  Then mom started feeling bad about leaving Alex and Misty penned up for two days while she and Willy were gone.  She figured she could still train Willy with the other two doxies there.  We are SO excited.  Mom is going to pick up food and movies tonight on her way home.  Then she'll pack up our stuff -- x-pen, leashes, collars, beds, etc....  We love going to the cabin, it has a real nice wood stove to sit in front of. 

Patty here:
Yesterday I had the dogs out for their no-leash walk thru the woods.  I decided to try out some training on Willy.  One thing we are learning in class is that the second the dog does what we want, we are supposed to say "YES!" and offer a treat.  Its like clicker training, only the click is the Yes!  So I called Willy and when he looked at me I said YES!  And he came running over to me for his treat.  He is really in tune to that YES!  And on the rest of the walk he stayed right by my side.  The whole thing was very encouraging.

[Brekkesmom]

Way to go, Willy!  I know you, Alex, Misty, and your mom will have a great weekend.  Stay tuned to that "Yes!"   :thumb:

[Barb]

Auntie Patty - you BETTER be taking Alex and Misty !!!!  Any lake trip requires all 3 get to go !!!!!

Rudy and Brandy


Barb here - Wow - it sounds like Willy is doing great !!!  How did he do around the other dogs?

Have a great week end !

[PattyInAK]

Auntie Patty - you BETTER be taking Alex and Misty !!!!  Any lake trip requires all 3 get to go !!!!!

Rudy and Brandy


Barb here - Wow - it sounds like Willy is doing great !!!  How did he do around the other dogs?

Have a great week end !

Do you mean how did he do around Alex and Misty?  Or the other dogs in the class?  With Alex and Misty around, he was still just as in tune to me and the treats as he is when its just him and me.  At the class, he was okay with the other dogs..........a bit shy and bewildered being in a strange place.  There was one 2-year old "puppy" who was totally out of control and the mom was not keeping the little kid handling the dog in line, and the dog was pulling the kid all over the place, and this dog wanted to visit with all the other dogs.  Willy was NOT into that, he doesn't like having strange dogs coming up to him.  As long as no one invades his space when he is in a new situation, Willy is OK.  He really paid attention to me but due to it all being new, he didn't quite grasp what I was trying to get him to do, like Sit and Down.  We'll work on that at the cabin.

[Barb]

Sorry - I was wondering how he did with the other doggies in the class.  I am sure he will do fine !

[PattyInAK]

Sorry - I was wondering how he did with the other doggies in the class.  I am sure he will do fine !

I think he will do really well in the class.  He is very focused on me and the treats.  The instructor just sent an email about a class that will be given to educate owners and dogs for visits in nursing homes and hospitals.  I think Alex would be a good candidate for that, he is very sweet and gentle.  Won't be able to do it now, Alex will need to go thru obedience school first, but maybe next year.  This is something I've always wanted to do!  Its good to know that its offered thru Willy's "Better Companion" school.  The instructor is just wonderful.  She is from Germany, LOVES Alaska.  She has an accent, but its not heavy.  She was a vet in Germany, but enjoys dog training much more.  She is very animated and funny, and very knowledgable, I could listen to her all day.  She makes the class so interesting.

[Mike]

There was one 2-year old "puppy" who was totally out of control and the mom was not keeping the little kid handling the dog in line, and the dog was pulling the kid all over the place, and this dog wanted to visit with all the other dogs. 

When Clifford and I went to obedience school (not sure which of it was for) so many years ago, we had a guy with a malamute.  He sometimes came and sometimes dropped off he 10 year old daughter with the dog.  The instructor was very firm about the fact that the daughter should not be trying to train the dog alone due to its size and strength over hers.  In fact he made the daughter call the dad to come and get them the 3rd time they came alone.

Way to go Willy, your mom will be totally trained to provide treats in no time at all.