I know a lot of you show in obedience and other things. I haven't gotten into that yet and don't know if I will get interested in it or not. But I know the practical value of obedience training in our dogs.
I have acreage. My dogs absolutely do not leave their property. I have a fence around my pasture, but they could get out if they wanted to. I live on a dirt road with just a couple of neighbors, but the road is quite a distance away.
Yesterday, as I do most days, I had Lyric and the Chihuahuas down in the pasture for some exercise and his obedience practice. We've been working on the long down while I hide behind a tree, and his down/stay and then he comes half way and drops to a down/stay and then I call him to come the rest of the way, (don't know what you call that) as well as his other skills.
My boyfriend's 10 month old Lab appeared in my pasture. (he doesn't keep his dog under wraps very well) First the Chi's noticed her and ran toward her, barking. Poor thing just crouched down submissively to them. And when she tried to leave, they got her crouching again. They didn't bite, but they sure were ticked. Then Lyric, my recently dog "aggressive" Doberman was running full speed toward her. You don't know how scared I was...not knowing what he might do. I yelled very seriously (hardly ever use that voice) "Lyric! Halt!" Then "Down!" OMG! I was soooo suprised that he obeyed me. He stopped and kind of crouched from my serious voice, I think and then lay down the rest of the way. Then I walked quickly to him and attached the leash and praised him. I would never trust him to be reliable but he has been 100% reliable in the case of chasing deer or squirrels when we're out on our hikes..so far.
He's going to class starting next week to learn how to be a canine good citizen. He has to learn (hopefully) not to be a thug to other dogs. He's been giving me some trouble while on leash. And I can't let him run off leash where there is a chance of meeting another dog. But I should be able to use my own land without catering to other peoples' dogs. Grrrrrrrr. I told my b.f. and he said about his dog, "she'll learn." Eh-hem.....I hope not the hard way. I think the Chi's scared her enough that she'll stay away. (hopefully)
I have acreage. My dogs absolutely do not leave their property. I have a fence around my pasture, but they could get out if they wanted to. I live on a dirt road with just a couple of neighbors, but the road is quite a distance away.
Yesterday, as I do most days, I had Lyric and the Chihuahuas down in the pasture for some exercise and his obedience practice. We've been working on the long down while I hide behind a tree, and his down/stay and then he comes half way and drops to a down/stay and then I call him to come the rest of the way, (don't know what you call that) as well as his other skills.
My boyfriend's 10 month old Lab appeared in my pasture. (he doesn't keep his dog under wraps very well) First the Chi's noticed her and ran toward her, barking. Poor thing just crouched down submissively to them. And when she tried to leave, they got her crouching again. They didn't bite, but they sure were ticked. Then Lyric, my recently dog "aggressive" Doberman was running full speed toward her. You don't know how scared I was...not knowing what he might do. I yelled very seriously (hardly ever use that voice) "Lyric! Halt!" Then "Down!" OMG! I was soooo suprised that he obeyed me. He stopped and kind of crouched from my serious voice, I think and then lay down the rest of the way. Then I walked quickly to him and attached the leash and praised him. I would never trust him to be reliable but he has been 100% reliable in the case of chasing deer or squirrels when we're out on our hikes..so far.
He's going to class starting next week to learn how to be a canine good citizen. He has to learn (hopefully) not to be a thug to other dogs. He's been giving me some trouble while on leash. And I can't let him run off leash where there is a chance of meeting another dog. But I should be able to use my own land without catering to other peoples' dogs. Grrrrrrrr. I told my b.f. and he said about his dog, "she'll learn." Eh-hem.....I hope not the hard way. I think the Chi's scared her enough that she'll stay away. (hopefully)