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FountainLady

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    Recently Retired Greyhound, Learning Freedoms And Drifting Away.

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    I would also suggest an obedience class with a good trainer. They will teach you the ins and outs of positive reinforcement training, how to use a clicker correctly (if you choose to go that route), how to teach recall ...etc. A good group class will teach you how to effectively communicate with your new greyhound, and teach your dog to focus on you and listen to you.

     

    Call the local kennel clubs in your area, see who has some classes starting up. It has been my experience that a 6 week basic obedience class costs less than a routine trip to the vets office. It is an excellent investment. I always take my new greyhounds to an obedience class a couple months after I adopt them.

     

    I have found my greyhounds to be smart as can be, and they have typically put the other dogs in the class to shame with their good manners and ability to learn the commands. I fully know how to train a dog on my own, but attending formal classes teaches your dog to focus on you away from home, to work around dogs of other breeds. To me the cost of the classes are worth the opportunity to work with my dogs at their facilities and with all the distractions that come from working around a dozen other dogs. You have access to a professional trainer to ask questions of and work on any special things your dog may need.

     

    You may also make some great professional business contacts through the people you meet at the kennel club / training facility.

    Travel Issues

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    I don't think he is anxious in the car as much as excited to be going for the ride! It sounds more like excited panting. My girly girl was like that going for a ride, be it in the car or in the boat. She loved it so much that she would pant with excitement.

     

    Dog panting can come from many causes - they can be hot, excited, happy, stressed, or a dog can even pant from pain. My experience with a life time of dogs and car rides, is the panting is most likely from the excitement of going somewhere new.

    Therapy Dog Question

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    With all therapy dog activities, you need to keep in mind what the dog enjoys the best. They need to be happy with the interaction with the people they come in contact with.

     

    My first Therapy dog, Rainy - absolutely LOVED anything to do with children. She spent four years enjoying the children's reading programs at the Libraries. She wasn't so much into Nursing home and Hospice visits, so we only did them a few times a year. She was great working at public events for the Therapy dog group, and doing stress relief at the Special Olympics.

     

    Gus - on the other hand - is new to all the Therapy dog stuff. He just received his certification in October. He loves going to the Nursing home, so we go weekly. He is a bit impatient waiting for the children to finish reading to him at the Library (he wants to get up and leave half way through their stories ... LOL lol.gif). But with a treat and coaxing, he will lay back down and let them finish. Gus prefers active one-on-one interaction with people, where Rainy loved to snuggle up next to the children and enjoy the quiet time together as they read to her.

     

    For me, the Therapy dog activities are a special time I spend with my greyhounds. I want them to have a good time and enjoy the day out with me.

    We try to do many different types of therapy dog activities over the year, so things stay fun and interesting.

     

    This weekend Gus will be at a large community health and wellness fair - manning the Therapy Dogs International booth. cool.gif We are bringing our books and reading mat. I'm sure after an hour or so on his feet meeting and greeting the public and being hugged on by countless children, he'll be happy to lay down and let the kids read to him. lol.gif

     

    Sometimes you need to take a break if your dog shuts down and doesn't want to interact with the people - regroup, relax and try something new.

    Greyhounds And Cgc

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    Even Gus - had no problem learning to sit for his CgC and TDI testing. smile.gif

     

    Our obedience class instructor allowed me to bring in a rug for him to practice his downs, stays and sits on. The floors were slick - and with 3 legs, he would have had a problem getting back up without having traction.

     

    I took Captain Gus to a basic obedience class in mid-summer, and then we just enjoyed the rest of the summer and practiced our commands.

    I wasn't in any hurry to test him, but I was glad I had him ready to test and certify when I lost my lovely TDI therapy dog, Rainy - to cancer last October.

    The head of our therapy dog group emailed me after Rainy's passing and let me know that there was an upcoming TDI & CgC testing date a week or so later. She suggested that it would be a good time to test Gus and get his certifications in order.

     

    So - Gus went to the testing and he received both of his certifications that evening. Rainy would have been so proud of him! thumbs-up.gif

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