Panda's First Handling Class
The whole floor is black rubber mats which totally threw her off, she walked in staring at the floor looking as if she thought it was a big black hole. LOL She was friendly to everyone, people and dogs, and was happy to meet the standard poodle. The great dane she appeared stunned to see. She stopped and stared..... LOL The mini schnauzer puppies she only seemed mildly curious about. Panda stands in a perfect stack almost naturally.... and will hold it forever if I ask her to, but getting her to walk was a challenge. She really just didn't want to move at all. LOL Next week there is no class, but the week after I will maybe take both Sky and Panda together since they love playing so much, it might get Panda to move a little more enthusiastically. LOL |
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| How fun! Great that she stacks so easily for you. Will cheese tempt her to walk for you?
We took one of our shelties to handling classes with my son, when he was 10 years old. She was great, until the last day when they were being "judged". My son got all dressed up like a real handler and 6 month old Amy would not leave his dress pant legs alone. She kept biting at them and he was having to shake her off during the walks. He was so embarassed  |
| You could try doing some targetting with her. Place a chair at the end of the down and back and place something really good on it. Whatever she likes, even a toy that she likes. Show her that they are there and let her have one or two then when you turn to do the down and back she should start driving for it. After a while you can start phasing it out.
If you take Sky along someone can hold Sky at the end of the run and Panda can drive for her. |
I can't imagine taking two OES' somewhere and trying to teach of them something.  Do you have help?  |
| Panda doesn't seem food motivated, but she hasn't been eating much since I brought her home.
She has only been with us for a few days, so I know I can't expect too much yet, however I am concerned about her apparent fear of dark floors. That is not going to work at all in the ring since she will have to walk along those black mats. The instructor also mentioned that at her age, 7 months and a bit, it is a really bad time for a dog to go through so many changes and what affects her now may affect her for life. I remember hearing that before, but didn't even think of it. She is a calm girl, and does not show any fear of new people or dogs at all which is good, but I don't think she has been on a leash much at all, she balks at it and won't walk. I've tried different collars, the snake chain show collar, a thick rolled nylon, a thin rolled nylon.... doesn't seem to matter. She has no clue how to walk on lead. LOL However, I think because she is basically such a mentally and physically sound dog, these things will not take her long to learn. I just hope she can learn in the next 5 weeks before the show I wanted to enter her in. LOL |
| You have had foster dogs before, so remember that it takes time for a new dog to settle in. 5 weeks is a long way away, and if you rush her it will not work. Take your time, and relax. She needs to enjoy it.
Took about 2 weeks for Dixie to be interested in treats. Find something Panda goes nuts for. One fellow we had would not go up the stairs, or on anything not carpetted. He LOVED toast and popcorn, so we slowly lured him up and down stairs, and onto ceramics and tiles until he was racing onto them. There is a kind of dog food made out in Vancouver that is made with fish. It stinks! I always pick up the little sample packages at the local pet supply store and use that for special treats. Smells up my hands, but Dixie does leaps for it |
| Thought of you and Panda.
We brought home a new area rug for the family room. It replaced an existing one, but is bigger and braided. Dixie refused to go into the room for about a day, then she went in but slinked low to the ground and stayed OFF the carpet. Bot when hubby is on the couch , he is also on the carpet, so she had to get her courage in order to get her pats and lovins...(and cheese-flavoured popcorn) She's fine, now. Geez. |
It's funny the things that freak them out.  |
| Tonight at handling class Panda did SO much better!
She walked in like she owned the place, totally confident, eager to kiss people she met last time and play with new ones she didn't know yet. She was like a different dog, and I was thrilled to see her acting normally. LOL She is still awfully laid back, and lazy, so after an hour she would actually fall asleep in the stack!! She was standing perfectly, but after a while she would rest her head on me and actually sleep! LOL After an hour and a half she was leaning and almost falling over, and eventually just laid down LOL What a silly dog. |
Quote: She was standing perfectly, but after a while she would rest her head on me and actually sleep! LOL
LMBO Too sheepielike! I'm still glad things went better!!! She'll be a pro in no time! |
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