Hi All,
Great news here at Poodle Place! Baron's behavior has actually improved! Isn't that amazing? I know, dear readers, you had your doubts - so did I. As many of you know, I have never divulged the true identities of Baron's trainers in order to protect their reputations. Trainer number 6 has no need to remain anonymous, shocking though that might be. Her name is Debra Thomas, and she has done one heck of job working with Baron and his beloved handler (that would be me). Debra even has a web site - she is obviously not technologically challenged as Baron's handler (ahem) is. Her web site is: www.animalaffinity.biz
Baron is no longer the 2nd worst in his dog obedience class, although the miniature daschund is still the worst - you just can't tell if he's standing or sitting (that is a daschund for you). Baron and his beloved handler (that would be me) even received a compliment from the handler of the 2 golden receivers; you remember her, the one who insisted that Baron was not facing forward? I am happy to report that she noticed the improvement in Baron's behavior and was generous enough to comment on it.
I think Baron deserves the "most improved" award.
All for now,
Botswain
Friday, May 13, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Applause
Hi All,
Baron and I went for a walk tonight and the most amazing thing happened. I was able to heel him past 2 huskies who were barking in their yard (fenced-in thank heavens)! A woman (who I didn't see at first) applauded us!!! Isn't that terrific? She was walking her dog and saw us successfully maneuver past the diversion. I told her it's her turn now, but she said she's not ready to take on the huskies.
Maybe Baron's 6th trainer is actually helpful!
All for now,
Botswain
PS
The trainer for our dog obedience is not applauding us.
Baron and I went for a walk tonight and the most amazing thing happened. I was able to heel him past 2 huskies who were barking in their yard (fenced-in thank heavens)! A woman (who I didn't see at first) applauded us!!! Isn't that terrific? She was walking her dog and saw us successfully maneuver past the diversion. I told her it's her turn now, but she said she's not ready to take on the huskies.
Maybe Baron's 6th trainer is actually helpful!
All for now,
Botswain
PS
The trainer for our dog obedience is not applauding us.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Class #5, but who is counting?
Hi All,
Tuesday night was Baron's 5th dog obedience class (he could only attend 4), and he got mixed reviews. He is definitely improving, but is not gaining in popularity amongst the dog handlers. One handler told me (at least twice) that Baron was not facing directly forward. Really lady, get a ruler. A doberman pinscher nudged him during the infamous "figure eights", and Baron didn't budge. I was rather proud of him. I really hope there will not be an exam during the final class. I always get test anxiety.
Baron's trainer is hinting that the problem is not all Baron's; I wonder what she means by that?
All for now,
Botswain
Tuesday night was Baron's 5th dog obedience class (he could only attend 4), and he got mixed reviews. He is definitely improving, but is not gaining in popularity amongst the dog handlers. One handler told me (at least twice) that Baron was not facing directly forward. Really lady, get a ruler. A doberman pinscher nudged him during the infamous "figure eights", and Baron didn't budge. I was rather proud of him. I really hope there will not be an exam during the final class. I always get test anxiety.
Baron's trainer is hinting that the problem is not all Baron's; I wonder what she means by that?
All for now,
Botswain
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Beat (or class) goes on
Hi All,
Baron's 4th class was tonight. Last week he was successful in class and it went to his head. Once we got home, he nipped me until I took him downstairs, ran him through some commands until he finally got tired and went to sleep.
Tonight I won't have that problem because he is spending a couple of days with his personal trainer. I told her Baron prefers to sleep in the middle and she insisted that no dogs sleep in her bed. We'll see.
Baron is doing fairly well in class. He is smart and learns quickly (quicker than his beloved handler - that would be me). It is hard to be a successful handler when you confuse right and left - but no one is perfect.
All for now,
Botswain
PS
I wish the trainer and her husband good luck sleeping tonight.
Baron's 4th class was tonight. Last week he was successful in class and it went to his head. Once we got home, he nipped me until I took him downstairs, ran him through some commands until he finally got tired and went to sleep.
Tonight I won't have that problem because he is spending a couple of days with his personal trainer. I told her Baron prefers to sleep in the middle and she insisted that no dogs sleep in her bed. We'll see.
Baron is doing fairly well in class. He is smart and learns quickly (quicker than his beloved handler - that would be me). It is hard to be a successful handler when you confuse right and left - but no one is perfect.
All for now,
Botswain
PS
I wish the trainer and her husband good luck sleeping tonight.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Good News and Bad News
Hi All,
Baron attended his 2nd Novice Dog Obedience Class on Tuesday. Believe it or not, there is a lot of good news.
1) Baron did not cry, bark and pace for the entire night after his dog obedience class; for those of us who live with him, this was huge!
2) Baron was not the worst dog in the class.
OK, maybe there isn't a lot of good news, but there was some. Now on to the bad news.
1) Baron was the 2nd worst dog in the class. Most class members might remember Baron as the worst, but the worst was a miniature dachshund. This dog was so small that no one noticed him, so Baron got a bad wrap.
2) The trainer had to correct Baron several times in front of the other students. He was quite embarrassed, to say nothing of his beloved handler (that would be me).
Normally, I might suggest that Baron's future in dog obedience classes or, heaven forbid, trials, is severely limited. Unfortunately, master (aka my husband) thinks dog obedience trials give Baron something to work toward. I think master is slightly deranged.
All for now,
Botswain
Baron attended his 2nd Novice Dog Obedience Class on Tuesday. Believe it or not, there is a lot of good news.
1) Baron did not cry, bark and pace for the entire night after his dog obedience class; for those of us who live with him, this was huge!
2) Baron was not the worst dog in the class.
OK, maybe there isn't a lot of good news, but there was some. Now on to the bad news.
1) Baron was the 2nd worst dog in the class. Most class members might remember Baron as the worst, but the worst was a miniature dachshund. This dog was so small that no one noticed him, so Baron got a bad wrap.
2) The trainer had to correct Baron several times in front of the other students. He was quite embarrassed, to say nothing of his beloved handler (that would be me).
Normally, I might suggest that Baron's future in dog obedience classes or, heaven forbid, trials, is severely limited. Unfortunately, master (aka my husband) thinks dog obedience trials give Baron something to work toward. I think master is slightly deranged.
All for now,
Botswain
Thursday, March 31, 2011
GREAT NEWS
Hi All,
I have great news for you! Baron just received the supreme compliment from the manager of our vet's office - OK, you doubters, I mean veterinarian, not veteran affairs. She told me Baron is a beautifully trained dog! No, she was not on drugs when she said this. She really meant it. She ellaborated that he is a beautifully trained dog, he just has a behavior problem.
Oh well, no one is perfect (except myself of course).
Botswain
I have great news for you! Baron just received the supreme compliment from the manager of our vet's office - OK, you doubters, I mean veterinarian, not veteran affairs. She told me Baron is a beautifully trained dog! No, she was not on drugs when she said this. She really meant it. She ellaborated that he is a beautifully trained dog, he just has a behavior problem.
Oh well, no one is perfect (except myself of course).
Botswain
Monday, March 28, 2011
Dog Obedience Class
Hi All,
Baron's trainer (#6 - # 7 escaped) urged us to enroll Baron in a novice obedience class - one in which the dogs are preparing to compete in obedience trials (readers - stop laughing, it is rude!). Baron attended his 1st class, and, quite frankly, I was surprised.
The dogs were asked to "stand" (a command he never learned), and Baron stood! Next, he was asked to "stay". The handlers (that would be me) were told to drop the leash and walk away. I did so, and believe it or not - BARON STAYED!!! Isn't that amazing? I almost fainted. He successfully did a "down stay" a "heel", "sit" etc. The biggest problem was the figure 8. The dogs are divided into groups of 3. There are 2 "posts" composed of a dog and handler; the working dog has to walk a figure 8 around the other 2 dogs and handlers. Baron was fine, but I have no sense of direction. The woman with the 2 dachshunds had to point so I knew which way to go. I need a navigator to walk down a hallway.
I was so proud of Baron! He did a great job. Baron's personal trainer (#6) is in the class with her dog, and she actually hugged me at the end of the class. She said I was able to leave my "comfort zone" and attend class with Baron. The words "Baron" and "comfort zone" don't belong in the same sentence.
Unfortunately, as soon as we entered the car after class, Baron started barking and whining and continued to do so until 5 am! It was not a good night. Trainer #6 explained that Baron was merely processing all that he encountered at his new class. Boy, I can hardly wait for the next class - no sleep in our house!!!
That's all folks.
Botswain
Baron's trainer (#6 - # 7 escaped) urged us to enroll Baron in a novice obedience class - one in which the dogs are preparing to compete in obedience trials (readers - stop laughing, it is rude!). Baron attended his 1st class, and, quite frankly, I was surprised.
The dogs were asked to "stand" (a command he never learned), and Baron stood! Next, he was asked to "stay". The handlers (that would be me) were told to drop the leash and walk away. I did so, and believe it or not - BARON STAYED!!! Isn't that amazing? I almost fainted. He successfully did a "down stay" a "heel", "sit" etc. The biggest problem was the figure 8. The dogs are divided into groups of 3. There are 2 "posts" composed of a dog and handler; the working dog has to walk a figure 8 around the other 2 dogs and handlers. Baron was fine, but I have no sense of direction. The woman with the 2 dachshunds had to point so I knew which way to go. I need a navigator to walk down a hallway.
I was so proud of Baron! He did a great job. Baron's personal trainer (#6) is in the class with her dog, and she actually hugged me at the end of the class. She said I was able to leave my "comfort zone" and attend class with Baron. The words "Baron" and "comfort zone" don't belong in the same sentence.
Unfortunately, as soon as we entered the car after class, Baron started barking and whining and continued to do so until 5 am! It was not a good night. Trainer #6 explained that Baron was merely processing all that he encountered at his new class. Boy, I can hardly wait for the next class - no sleep in our house!!!
That's all folks.
Botswain
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