Havanese Treasure's Training Begins
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 1:59PM 
Darlah and I both feel that formal dog training is of utmost importance. I don’t care how many dogs you’ve previously owned, there is always something to learn and the socialization aspects to any class are not to be underestimated.
We attended class all over Toronto until we finally found the class and the instructor that we liked, that we felt taught our values. We’ve subsequently taken courses with her with many of our dogs. They teach positive reinforcement. They use clicker training or an upbeat YES to mark the dogs correct behaviour, followed by a reward.
Five of our dogs have taken lessons with her, some dogs such as Kat took more than one level of obedience training. He is a natural.
Later this week we will start classes with Treasure. As she is destined to be shown in the Conformation Ring there are some aspects of obedience training that affect what will be required from her in the show ring. For example, in the show ring the dog never sits. She will stand, walk, stack and patiently allow herself to be examined on the table. In obedience the sit command is one of the most important.
When we took obedience courses with Abigail and Fiona we actually had them learn stand instead of sit but I’m thinking with Treasure we’ll teach her sit and then teach her stand and just make sure she learns the stand command really well, as did Kat.
We also attend Handling classes with Kat, Abigail and Fiona as they are going to all be shown this year, as is Treasure. I’m thinking she’ll take both the obedience course and Handling classes and they will overlap. The socialization will be good for her.
A different type of leash is used in each class. In any case she is very treat motivated which will help teach her what we expect her to do. And Treasure is very independent. She needs the training regardless. Formal classes are always a good thing providing the class is well controlled and the atmosphere a positive one.
Nathan
PS: Darlah here - This is the 2nd time Treasure had a lead on and Treasure was none too happy. We will do it tomorrow (class starts Thursday) and eventually they see it as a positive especially when they get treats and get taken places. Dear old Fiona had to be almost dragged around the block before she said - okay - I guess this isn't so bad. I gently tugged her 3/4 of the way around our cul-de-sac until she gave in. She was a mighty stubborn one. But Fiona likes to get her own way no matter what. She needs a firm idea of rules and boundaries always in a positive way. Treasure seems to have an even stronger personality so classes should be interesting. watch for our Thursday night update or maybe Friday as we are driving over an hour away to go to this one instructor we love in Blackstock. call us crazy but the instructor and how she runs a class matters, imho.
Reader Comments (2)
I have a 5 month old Havanese who is on a show contract. I have never shown and we have been to our first two beginning handling classes. I think Mercy (my dog) does better than I do at them. I'm a rather shy person and not sure about this whole showing thing, but I obviously have to get with it and try to like it a bit more. I think I need the positive reinforcement training haha! Anyway I love all the entries you post, but especially the training ones. How old do you start showing at? How do you get them to like it? Mercy spends most of the class with her tail down unless she is running around the ring with me or standing on me while we wait our turn.
You can show your puppy once she reaches six months of age. Training starts as early as you like. For example, once the puppy can stand, practice stacking on the ground then move to your ringside table. From your comment, both of you need handling classes. In those classes you will be taught what to expect and get practice for both of you. More important, it allows you to socialize your pup in the correct environment. As Mercy becomes more comfortable in class, as she learns what is expected of her, she will ‘perform’ better and her tail will stay up. One caveat, you have to relax. If you are nervous or shy that fact will travel down the leash and Mercy will react accordingly. So the classes become a great conditioning exercise for both of you. Also, try to attend different handling classes if at all possible. We can continue this discussion in email nathan@potechin.com if you like. If you are in my geographic area I can point you at three handling classes that I have attended or attend on a regular basis.
Nathan