A few months ago I enrolled Pumpkin and I in a 8-week dog obedience course. Skyler and I don't know her training background, so I wanted to educate both of us on the proper way to say commands.
The first day of school I felt special because Pumpkin already knew how to sit and lay down. But that's where the easiness ended.
The classes took place at Hart Park, a park popular for picnicking. So, as you can imagine, there were food particles everywhere! Pumpkin spent almost the entire hour for 8 weeks sniffing the grass. We had practiced all of the commands at home during the week, but when we got to class she was very hard to control. It didn't help that she was one of the largest dogs in the class and would pull me around the grass area. Sometimes I'm surprised both of my arms are still intact.
The last night of class was the "final exam." Pumpkin and I were graded on:
-1:00 minute sit/stay
-3:00 minute down/stay
-heeling while walking, running, and walking slow
-recall command
-inspection stand
I was so worried that we would fail because all Pumpkin wanted to do was get the watermelon rind she found on the grass. But I was pleasantly surprised when I received a certificate saying that Pumpkin graduated!! She may or may not have received the lowest score in the class, but really, it didn't matter. Pumpkin would still be great whether or not she passed (but I'm glad she did).
1 comment:
OH Elise. You're such a dog parent now! It's great to hear! I hear you say things and think to myself I think I've said that about Diego before. hahahahaha
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