Archive for July, 2009

Klaus’s 2nd week of training

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

Since Klaus’s first weeks training session, he has developed a bit of an independant streak.  He has decided he will tell us when he is ready to go home after playing with his frizbie on the common.  Refusing to get in the car or even come back to us was becoming normal behaviour for him.  Luckily during the second week at training, we covered ‘recall’.  The little minx did it perfect!!!  We spoke to the trainer, Lisa Jackson and she advised us to use a long training lead that can trail along as he runs for his frizbie and if he does not come back, it is something we can grab hold of and encourage him back with treats.

Klaus also learnt how to stand on command and how to leave a treat in an open hand, and take it on command – we are still perfecting this!

We took Klaus to the common this afternoon, together with long training lead.  He came back perfectly once and almost came back a few times so I guess for the first time, one out of about 20 isn’t too bad :(

What a success!!

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

Our first bikers night was a huge success.  Pictures can be found on theswanhanleyswan’s facebook and also in the gallery here.

Klaus’s first lesson in puppy training 14th July 2009

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Klaus was a star, he was very well behaved but I think Malcolm and I learnt more than him. 

  • Lesson 1 – walking on a lead, this was fine as Klaus already walks well on his lead, although he did pull a little as he was trying to reach the dog in front.
  • Sit – Malcolm and I had taught him to sit, although it was probably on the third or forth command.  We were taught how to make Klaus sit on the first command.   The secret is food!  Show him you have a treat, say sit, and give him the treat as soon as his bottom hits the floor …. it works.
  • Down – This was a new one.  To make Klaus lay down, we just had to show him his treat, hold it on the floor below his mouth and gradually move it back.  As your hand moves back with the treat, he automatically lays down to get it and as he does so, say down.
  • Next was a trick to keep eye contact.  Place a treat just in front of your nose and say “look”.  Gradually, increase the time you hold eye contact.
  • Finally, in order to teach Klaus to take a treat carefully out of your hand, hold a treat in your hand tight and say leave.  Once he as sniffed around your hand a bit, open it and say “Take it”.

Can’t wait until next week.  Hopefully, we will show some pics of Klaus training.