Dogs, Kids, 4-H WWYD?
Our current class is on Thursdays from 6-7 pm. Obedience 2 is on Thursdays from 7-8pm. Anyway, the dog 4-H group is open to trained and untrained dogs, and kids 8 and up. The first 2 months the kids do not take their dogs to the group. My 10-year-old is joining and taking Opal. The group meets from 7-8 pm on Thursdays. The first two months they meet every 2 weeks, but after that its every week. I want the kids to be involved in the dogs, but I worry that Amy is still a bit of a loose canon. Dan and I will continue to take the dogs to obedience through this course and we'll take the kids with us (except for when schedules overlap). So now I don't know what to do. I have no qualms letting Naomi take Opal to 4-H. It means that Opal will have to wait for Obedience 2 (schedule overlap), but I don't worry that Naomi can't control Opal. In the end, I hope, both Opal and Nomi with come out with a better relationship, and a both will understand their ends of the leash better. I know Becky really wants to take 4-H with Amy. Out of both older kids, Becky is more patient and much better with the dogs than Naomi, who gets easily frustrated. So Becky's personality is better suited to Amy's. I just worry. Amy is 65 pounds, but Becky is only 80. So if Amy gets a wild hair, Becky won't be able to control her. What would you do? |
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I talked to one of the leaders for the group. I think I've made a blunder in crossing groups or something. The training center we go to apparently has a 4-H group attached to it. But the 4-H club we want to go to is in town and we have friends already in it.  Anyway, with the purchase of more equipment  (always need something else) the leader is confident that the Becky-Amy combination will be ok.  Even though the training we have the dogs in now will move them into a different class (which I'm ok with, its better to have safe people and dogs).And can I say I'm excited? The kids have 2 months of learning without the dogs, then they have 3 months of obedience training with the dogs, followed by two months of learning fitting and showing for the fair. Do you think our "untrainable" sheepdog will be trained by the end of it?  |
| That sounds like a great program for both the kids and the dogs. Hopefully the consistency and the time they take to prepare the kids will work well for you! |
| I really hope it does. I love these dogs but there is a distinct drawback when taking on adult dogs. Raising a puppy gives you the chance to do everything right from the beginning. You know if the dog you raised is afraid of men in hats its because the neighbor wore hats and threw rocks at your dog, and you can address it. Where you aren't sure what triggers a certain behavior in an adult dog. I think the uncertainty can be alleviated with a lot of structure and training. I'm really looking forward to the kids having this training as much as the dogs. They aren't timid, but they do carry over some fears that their dad has instilled in them. (Dan was attacked by a pit bull as a kid. He has serious reservations when it comes to dogs. The fact that we have 2 dogs is a testament of how much that man really loves me.) I'm hoping that with all of us going through so much training the ones who aren't confident will become so, and I'm hoping that it pulls some of the pressure off of me too. |
I really admire your diligence in helping Amy adjust to a new loving life! Your family sounds open and willing to help with the progress! Keep us updated as you begin this process with your children and dogs!  My fingers are crossed that all goes well as you begin this process! |
| As long as the dog and kids enjoy themselves, a good learning experience for all four.......and adults. The more socialization..........controlled socialization both can get, the better. Being in different classes should help as well. What a great way for the kids and dogs to bond. |
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