Kozmo Kringle successfully completed 6 weeks of basic obedience!!! We spent most of the time in the last class smiling and looking at each other saying things like, "wow, we never thought this was possible 6 weeks ago".
We have all learned a LOT in the past 6 weeks. I was about as nervous for the last class as I was for the first class. You know me, I'm a very good worrier. I knew Kozmo knew his stuff but he was just neutered on Monday. We were told to keep him from running, jumping or playing for 4 to 10 days. To keep him calm he has basically spent most of his time in his crate wearing his cone. Last night I took off the cone for the first time. I guess it was time since he managed to chew his cone yesterday! Still not sure how that is even possible. Without the cone, we went for a quick walk. He was so excited, happy, and bouncy. He wanted to PLAY. I was worried that since he hasn't been allowed to exercise he would just go crazy in class.
We walked into class and it was like we have a different dog. He calmly followed us to our seats and sat down. He watched the other dogs and people but didn't bark like the first class. I had to walk Kozmo through an obstacle course. Orange cones were set up and we had to weave in and out like a slalom course. The trainers put out toys and dog dishes along the way and another dog was walking towards us and we had to pass them. Kozmo and I went first with this show off German Shepard. I had to use treats to keep him focused but he did the course perfectly and ignored all of the distractions. The show off Shepard didn't need treats and did the whole thing with hand signals. Then we watched the other dogs struggle. I leaned over to the other human and said if there is one thing Kozmo knows it's how to walk!
We had to do recall off leash. On the first try the trainer distracted him with a squeaky toy. He went right to the toy. Not entirely his fault, he hasn't been allowed to play for 4 days. We did it again without the squeaky distraction and he came right to me.
The final test was to put him in a sit stay and let a trainer come up and pet him. He had to allow her to pet him from his head to his tail and remain in a stay. The trainer was so pleased with his success she gave him a treat. This is a no-no. I am the only one who should treat in class. Her face turned red and she said she was very sorry, she was so proud for a minute she felt like he was her dog. I think that sums up Kozmo's progress in the past 6 weeks.
Kozmo has 2 weeks off and then we start classes to become a Canine Good Citizen. We both have a lot to learn and a lot more practice, but I am overwhelmed when I think back where we started. Before his first class I was in tears more than once and terrified I would have to take him back to the shelter. It felt like I wasn't ever going to be able to teach him enough. Before class we couldn't go for walks without me being drug around and Kozmo offending every person and dog he met. I am so proud of Kozmo.
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