Puppy Basic Manners Classes

[lizbud]

Anna,

Boy Moki was really primed for that lesson.Before the class
started, I had let him walk along side the shopping cart(as
opposed to in the baby seat) and he was thrilled with his Big
Boy status. We shopped for kitty food and finished just in time
for an outtie before class started. Smokey was sooo excited.
He had a blast. It was his first play session with other pups
& he really enjoyed it all. I sure hope that Moki grows up to be
even half the gentleman that Angus seems to be, Such a
sweetie. Hugs to Roxey, Angus & Huney. Liz & Smokey Joe.

[anna_66]

Ahhhh, thanks Liz. If it was possible, Angus would be blushing now
I'm sure your sweet Moki will be just as much of a gentleman as our Angus is! I'm glad you both had a great time, I knew you would

[tatsxxx11]

Oh Liz, I'm so sorry to hear about your accident!! How frightening!! I hope your aches and pains are subsiding. Thank goodness you weren't more seriously hurt! Sounds like you and Moki are really enjoying your classes!! Aren't they fun?? Give Moki a big hug and kiss from all of us! Sandra, Cody and Star!

[lizbud]

All hugs & kisses given from you guys to Moki man.
Even threw in a few belly rubs, he loves those...I tell you
folks I'm really starting to fall for this little goober. He has
the sweetest personality.Not to say he's not a nawtee
dog once in a while , but that's just high spirits,he's a
healthy little pup. We practice his lessons every day &
he catches on very fast. I believe Buddy must have steered
him in my direction. He's a real love bug.
I'm now trying to get Moki to go out to do his potty without
me tagging alone every time. , but so far, not much
luck. Oh well, we'll keep working on it.

Sandra, I'm still quite sore(brused ribs& all), but on the
whole, I was very lucky, thank God. Hugs to Star & Cody
and all your other critters. Liz & Moki.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by lizbud
I'm now trying to get Moki to go out to do his potty without
me tagging alone every time. , but so far, not much
luck. Oh well, we'll keep working on it.

Sandra, I'm still quite sore(brused ribs& all), but on the
whole, I was very lucky, thank God. Hugs to Star & Cody
and all your other critters. Liz & Moki.

Dear Liz,
I am so glad to hear you are feeling better. As for going out with Moki to potty, just thought I share this. I still go out with Dixie at almost 5 years old! She has a tendency with her excellent nose to go out and sniff all around and actually never gets around to potty unless I command her to go.

I don't have that issue with Dusty though. He like to make his mark about 50 times each time he goes out. I wonder where he stores it all!

[lizbud]

Well, Moki is half way through his puppy classes & seems
to be doing pretty good. Last Monday the pups were tested
on their "downs". I was so proud of Moki, he had learned
"down" on my 2nd try with him at home. The instructor used
Moki as a good example of a "perfect down". Now the
walking on leash is a different matter. He has no problem
walking, but doesn't want to go in a straight line.He runs
ahead & I'm supposed to stop walking until he stops pulling
and then continue with loose leash. Moki goes forward,
then backward, then sideways, but only a few steps before
he pulling again. We are supposed to have this
learned by next Monday. Right !!! I'll keep trying, but he gets
so excited when he gets to walk anywhere outside.

[manda99]

Glad the classes are going well!
My Smokey loved the play sessions and by the 3rd class he thought the whole hour was Free Play time
I know he was thinking, "Oh, mommy can teach me this at home. I only see my buddy Baxter once a week! Time for playing!!"

heehee


And for taking him out to pee - sometimes I have to walk out there w/ Smokey and tell him to go, too, or he'll just circle the yard and come back in. I especially have to command him to go #2. He'd hold it forever if I'd just let him I think.

[lizbud]

Manda99,

My Smokey is just like your's in that he thinks it's all about
the "Free Play" and of course, the treats.LOL.

Moki did suprise me though on Monday. He walked up & down
the isles at the store & didn't pull hardly at all.Our task was to
get two volunteers in the store to greet our dogs & act glad
to see them, etc. Our dogs had to sit or at least not jump up
on the people in order to earn a treat. The instructor did a
demonstration (of the behavior we were to teach) with Murphy
the Corgi. If puppy jumped up, she turned & walked away,
if pup's feet stayed on the floor, he got a treat.Murphy did it
in three tries.So did Moki. I was amazed !!! Positive re-
inforcement, works...and Moki loves meeting the other dogs
and playing, playing, playing. LOL.

P.S. I'm going to get some new pics of Moki. He's at least 3
times as big as his little puppy picture.

[Rachel]

Oh, Liz, I just ran up on this thread. So glad to hear an account of how *our boy* is doing. And I simply can't wait to see those pictures. I do hope that your injuries from the accident were only temporary, and that by now you are completely healed. Need a LIZ update too, you know. heehee

[lizbud]

Hi Rachel,

Yes, I am feelin a lot better than I have in awhile. It's slow
healing for old folks like me, I guess. LOL. I hate to admit
what I wuss I really am, but I pass the same intersection
(where the accident happened) everyday and I still get a
scary feeling about it. It was just so sudden & unexpected.

Anywho.... I'm doing much better pain wise. Moki keeps me
on my toes. I've already started taking some new pics.
I swear, he grows seemingly overnight. He's a very loving
pup & loves to sleep on my feet under the dining room
table. I still think of Buddy everyday & my heart sighs.
But, Moki is good medicine for me & I'm trying to be a good
Mom & companion to him. Moki & I send hugs & kisses to
Hannah & Cooper. Liz.

P.S. I'll try to hurry with the pics.

[Cookiebaker]

Liz, your classes sound so thorough and fun!! I've been looking into something like this around us, and nothing is coming through. Guess it's one of the downfalls of livinging in the boondocks.

Moki is such a cutie pie! I can't wait to see more pictures of him. How much does he weigh by now?

[lizbud]

Moki hasn't been back to the Vets since his 4th Vacs &
Rabies shots, so I don't know how much he's gained. I gave
him a bath in the tub this afternoon & by the feel of him I'd
say around 30+ lbs. LOL. Moki is so different then any other
dog I've ever raised. He only whines when he has to go
outside for a potty or when he's really exhausted & ready
to go to bed. He certainly did not like his bath today, but
was not at all vocal about it. He just sat in the tub while I
kept telling him what a good boy he was. He smells so
good for now, but tomorrow after his first roll in the grass,
I'm not so sure. Monday's task in puppy class is to get
your pup to do a 30 second "settle".(Lay still on the floor).
Moki is put in a sit , then a down, & then must settle & wait
for a treat. He's made it for 10 seconds so far. We'll see...
I'm really enjoying these classes a lot. Can't wait till he's
old enough for obedience classes next month. Can't they
start at 6 months? Liz.

[DogMania]

It hepled my dog so much.

[MHMama]

Ricky loved Puppy Preschool at PetSmart and really excelled in all the lessons. So did we. We were amazed at how much we didn't know.
The funniest thing about the class was Ricky at 2 lbs was the smallest dog there. There was a doberman, pit bull, beagles, and a few other big dogs but no little guys like Ricky. During the last class, the instructor has everyone pass their pup to the person to their left and every 5 minutes he will have you pass a pup again to the left until everyone has had an opportunity to hold and play with each of the other pups. I watched as 2 owners would not touch or handle Ricky in any way. They were actually afraid of him due to pre-conceived notions about Chi's. The instructor thought this was funny because Ricky was the easiest to handle and the quickiest learner but they were still afraid.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by lizbud
Can't wait till he's
old enough for obedience classes next month. Can't they
start at 6 months? Liz.

Liz,
The old theory was not to start formal training until the pup was 6 months old. The new theory (which I full heartedly agree with) is to start them as early as possible and continue with no lapses in training for as long as possible or as long as desired. Immediately after puppy kindergarten get Moki into a basic obedience class right away. You do not need to wait until he is 6 months old. It is wonderful to hear how much you and Moki are enjoying each other!!!