Beau graduates from Baby Puppy to Beginner Obedience

Beau started Beginner Obedience training today. For the past few months I have been taking him to baby puppy classes which is primarily focussed on socialising along with some basic obedience like sit, drop, heel and some fun baby agility, so we moved up to the serious classes today. This phase lasts 8 weeks (provided you pass) and then they can move onto Class 1, which quiet honestly at this stage I have no idea what they learn.

Our little class only consisted of 4 but the teacher tells us that this is a big bonus as the dogs tend to learn faster in a small class. Beau is the only puppy of the group and he is also the only one that has been socialised outside of the home. There is a sweet little cross-breed (the red & white) that wanted to be friends with Beau, but the other two were scary. The Sharpei was displaying fear aggression and managed to get out of his harness 3 times during the class, and the Staffy just looked like he wanted to rip everyone's heads off. He was snarling & straining at the lead, which his owner seemed to be having difficulty holding onto. Anyway, both these dogs seemed to settle down as the lesson progressed but I did make sure to keep Beau away from them.

I was a bit disappointed that some of the other puppies from Beau's puppy class didn't turn up today, as he had made good friends with them and they had sweet little natures. Hopefully they will turn up next week.

It was probably one of the coldest, windiest days we've had this winter, so it wasn't terribly pleasant, but as always we came home with grins on our faces. Hubby came along with Sonny, his video camera & my camera (hence the photos). I think poor Sonny was a little overwhelmed by all the dogs there (about 100 or so in other classes) and I think he dropped his anal glands all over hubby's trackies. I guess we did drop him in the deep end walking him through that sea of dogs, but once he had his little panic he settled down & enjoyed watching nephew Beau doing his thing.

Anyway, here I am, all sartorial elegence with my little man.

Teddy is following in Beau's footsteps. He finished the puppy class and is now in beginner obedience, too. He doesn't understand why he can't socialize with all the other dogs like in puppy class! There are two american bull dogs which are huge and Teddy really wants to get over and meet them.

I wish our class was outside like yours. Despite the windy day, it looks so much nicer than in a small classroom. I bet those other dogs will calm down some by the second or third class. None of our puppy classmates are in our new class either - bummer.

:cl*p: :cl*p: way to go Beau!!
Looks a lovely place to go and work with your dogs! I am sure the others will soon settle down as they get used to being out and about. Not too sure what your instructor was saying to you but you look like you were hanging on her every word!! Good Luck in your new class, lucky you there being only 4 dogs, little Beau will be the best trained Cavalier in the area!!

Looks like fun! I think the smaller classes are better since each dog gets more individual attention.

Just out of curiosity, what is on the other side of the fence? I wondered if its for herding or something?

Cathy the classes are held at the Milton-Ulladulla Showground and there are lots of different paddocks & fenced in areas. I think that area behind us is used by the horsie people, but I am not sure.

It sure is a great place to have the classes. There is a section that the well behaved dogs can have a romp off-leash, a nice secure place for the baby puppies where they can't run away, and heaps of space around for all the different events that are on. At any one time there are 6 different obedience classes running, plus special interest groups like agility, flyball, zipball, flag races, gundog work, tracking etc. Heaps of good fun things to get into. I'd like to get Beau into something once we go through, but I would also like to take Sonny to obedience as well. He is a great little bloke but his training was all around showing, so he stands like a little champ but isn't flash on drop & other general obedience. Plus, I just love the socialising & bonding effect it all has.

Oh I forgot to mention that Beau & I are the couple on the left of the pictures... but you can probably see Beau's sweet little face in the upper image.

WOW you are lucky to have such a wonderful place for classes - and it's great to have such a small class, not quite so overwhelming for the dogs.

Good luck with the classes - kjeep us posted on Beau's progress