train my dog

I was unhappy with the instructor, and couldn’t seem to get her to listen to me about being it. So, we stopped going. It was just stressing both of us out (me and the dog, I mean), and neither of us was enjoying it. Maybe I’ll be able to get into one of the greyhound-only classes that they occasionally hold in Madison, even though they’re more expensive, plus the trip. It really might be worth it to be with people who understand these dogs, instead of having to deal with greyhound issues on top of her own unique issues.

This goal is officially on hold for the time being.

We were late tonight because I was a dope and thought class started at 7 when it really starts at 6. I have no idea what I was thinking.

However, she was really good with Stay tonight, and I was able to get her Down, though she wasn’t thrilled and still won’t do it by herself at all. We should do that one more at home, but the problem is, once we do that, that’s the end of the session – she’ll just clam up, or go hide in her crate.

She’s exhausted, poor baby – she’s already conked out on her bed, and we’ve only been home about 15 minutes!

This week wasn’t quite as smooth. There was a very loud, very upset little terrier there tonight, and he put all the other dogs on edge, mine included. She refused to watch me, even though she does it beautifully at home. So, I couldn’t keep her attention for Stay. She got bored and turned around to look at the other dogs.

But boy was she a pro at Leave It (she refuses to take treats while she’s on lead) and Stand (she refuses to Sit or Down). Focus on your strengths, right?

Thursday was our first day of class. It went fairly well, I have to admit. The instructor understands that greyhounds aren’t comfortable sitting, and also that down can be very difficult. She showed me how to make her lay down on her side by sort of sliding her down my legs. I’m not totally sure how that’s going to teach her to get down by herself, but we’ll see.

As expected, she didn’t eat a single treat the whole time. I probably won’t bother to put more than two or three in my pocket from now on, and I won’t even need those, more than likely.

I hope she had fun. She seemed a little wary of a couple of the over-excited puppies, but as always she heeled very well and stayed very calm while we were walking. She had at least a little bit of a tremble the whole rest of the time, though.

We’re all signed up for Beginning Obedience! We start next Thursday. I’m supposed to teach her Sit, Watch Me, and Heel before I even get there. I’m not sure how well Sit, especially, is going to go, since she very rarely sits at all, and certainly not in the traditional Sit position. If she sits, it’s with her legs to the side.

It’s not just that she’s a weird dog, that kind of posture is fairly typical of greyhounds. I hope the instructor understands if we have some difficulty with that and Down. I think I’ve seen her in the traditional Down, Sphinx position twice the whole time we’ve had her. Generally she either curls up or sprawls out on her side.

I really hope the instructor understands that greyhounds are a little different from your average lab or poodle.

She’s a retired racing greyhound, and quite well behaved, but we need to learn how to communicate with each other. She hates the idea of leaving the house, even though she always has fun when we’re out (well, except at the vet, of course), and will hide in her crate if she thinks I’m trying to take her for a walk or a ride.

Since she doesn’t misbehave very often, we haven’t really been able to teach her, on our own, what’s appropriate and what isn’t. So thus far, it’s been trial and error to learn how to prevent issues. That’s fine, but I know we can do better.