Last Year on St. Patty’s Day I graduated from Puppy Obedience School at Dog Lovers Obedience School.

In order to graduate, I had to work pretty darn hard and learn a whole lot of self control.

My Human chose Dog Lovers Obedience School because it was not food based.  She had experience with food and clicker training and due to my size thought it might be best to learn a new method.  When picking a training class, find out about the method of teaching and if that is going to be a good match with your dog’s personality and the human’s personality.  If you are uncertain ask if you can sit in on a class without your dog.

Before training or bringing a dog into your home, write down what your goals and expectations.  For example, you want to be able to travel with your dog or you want to do agility.  Find a training method that matches up with your goals.  Someone wanting a companion dog will have different training goals verses someone that wants a performance dog.  Find the right trainer and training facility to match those goals.

Requirements to graduate from Puppy Obedience:
1. Heeling on a Loose Leash with an Automatic Sit

2. Sit Stay with a ball bouncing by (and hold the sit stay for 15 minutes)

3. Down Stay for 45 minutes (Read my post on the 30 minute Down-Stay)

4. Stand Stay with exam- 5 minutes
5. Come with an automatic sit in from
6. Don’t eat the Hot Dog!

YEAH!  I did it!!!