Dillon started Rally today!

[Dillydoodle]

Well it has been 6 months since we decided to take a break from the drop in competition obedience class we were in. Dillon had gotten bored as we had been going to class week after week month after month from the time he was 3 months old. I felt like he really needed a break.

Well we started Rally today and it became clear that 1) he missed going to school , he was smiling the whole time! and 2) he hadn't forgotten one single command!!! he was AWESOME! his heeling was great, his attention was great, sits, downs, fronts, set ups... just perfect.. I was so proud of him. He really paid attention perfectly...now it helped that this was a small class ( we had a black german shepherd female, a border terrier female, and a male golden retriever) and it also helped that after each exercise i rewarded him with grilled lamb shoulder ( his favorite treat).

We had a great time and as long as he continues to have fun, we will keep on going to class.

I signed Gus up for Family Dog I ( basic obedience) starting on may 8th... I am hoping he likes it as much as Dillon does...

[corgimom]

That is great that Dillon was so well behaved after being out of it for so long. :) Cody would have surely thought it was a "play group" for him. You had mentioned to me that this was a day time class for you. I wish we had those around here as evening ones just do not work out for me. I am sure Gus will do fine since he has that more layed back personality.

[ZdogZ]

Yea, for Dillon! I hope that Gus does well, too.

[Fluffypants]

Yay Dillon! Jackie is thrilled that he likes Rally too! Must be in the genes! :D How did you like it Em? It's fun, isn't it? Glad to hear he picked right up where he left off. He's a smartie AND a cutie! And I am sure that Gus will like his classes, it will be fun for him to have some alone time with Mom. Enjoy!!

[bunnybutts]

such a smart little Corgi-Man! a credit to his pawents

[sutulu]

I do think they like the structure of class. It helps to vary what they are doing. Our Obedience Club does the same stuff over and over.

And I think they like the Mommy and Me time too.

[Dillydoodle]

I think you are right susan, something about the structure, i think for him it is almost a game to see what he has to do to get the treat. He walked in the door and i showed him the lamb treats and immediately the light bulb went on for him, he was ON... I really was surprised, i did think it would be play time in his mind. I think having a second dog at home helped him a lot in not feeling like he must run over to every dog and say hi ( which is what he used to do in class, and i would leave with a sore arm from holding him back! ) and Jess, yes, i really do think rally looks fun, a bit less structured than the Competition obedience class, but just as challenging... like there are a few moves that are contridictory to what i have taught Dillon, the one where you are walking then ask the dog to do a front ( not called from across the room, which is what he is used to) and then to go to the right behind you and end up on the left without sitting ( we are used to doing a front and finish including that sit...which in this exercise you dont sit, you just GO... so that was interesting to see him looking at me wondering why i didnt give him time to finish properly LOL! I thought it was fun, i hope i dont make a fool of myself, i have more confidence in Dillon's ability to follow directions than i have in myself to give him the proper direction LOL! The signs are confusing...oh well it was day one and i am sure i will learn those signs! It was fun for both of us...and that is what is most important.


Emilie

[herdingdogs]

So glad you and Dillon had a great time being back in class!

[Fluffypants]

There is a call front / finish right with a sit and without. The good thing is, you don't have to pause on the one without a sit. So once he starts to come up on your left side, just start walking, don't give him a chance to sit down. :)

The thing that keeps rally from getting boring is that you are always running a different course - not like obedience where you go through a set routine. So you never know what's coming next. Keeps it fresh! Glad you are liking it Em! And anything you want to discuss, Cousin Jackie & I are here for you! :D

[manymuddypaws]

yay for dillon...glad he is back in the swing of things!!!

[Flying Aces]

Way to go Dillon! We can't wait to hear about all of your rally experiences!