Seems like whenever we would tell people we were looking to get a puppy the first thing they would say is "oh you definitely have to take them to obedience training school" then when we would tell random people the breed of dog we were getting they would really push the issue of training. So when Britts was about 12 weeks we signed her up at the local Vet hospital for their obedience classes. From what I can remember the class was for 1 hour every Wednesday night for about 6 weeks? Geez I cannot even remember for sure how long but 6 weeks sounds about right. I do have to admit I was pretty excited to start the classes I thought it would a great way to meet other "dog" people plus Britts was going to be a BIG dog and I really was worried I wouldn't be able to control her so this class was just what we needed.
On the first night we all just introduced ourselves and our puppy and the trainer just went over some basic things and then he took each of our dogs and got familiar with them. There were mostly large breeds in the class but the one dog that still sticks out to me was the little Yorkie that was there - amongst all these giant breeds there was this little itty bitty Yorkie! I often laugh to myself still thinking why in the world would this little guy need training - I mean all the woman had to do if the dog got out of control was put him in her purse LOL!
Anyway we were there to learn some basic commands (sit, stay, down, etc). We were also going to teach our dogs how to walk correctly on the leash. That was the main thing I was excited about because I had always envisioned me and Britts taking nice leisurely strolls around the neighborhood (oh yeah more on that subject later LOL). I am pretty sure the trainer would "train" for about 45 min and then the last 15 min of each class was dedicated to "free play" which basically meant we all let our pups off their leashes and let them just play and roll and run and carry on with each other (all except for that little Yorkie that poor little guy would have gotten trampled so he was not allowed to play LOL). There was a nice Rottie there (I am not a fan of the Rottie but this pup really impressed me - he was about 5 months old and just the most obedient sweet dog - he really did well learning his commands and he was just a nice dog all around) there was also another dog who I can still remember to this day - she was a 5 month old Newfoundland (I think I am spelling that right) her name was Abby - anyway she was gorgeous she was a reddish-brown and just looked like a big teddy bear. I also remember she immediately took an interest in Brittany (who BTW seemed to be alittle nervous around the others when it came to free play - she would tend to lag behind when the group was running and kind of stuck more by Scott and I rather than play with the others). One night when it was time for free play we took Brittany off her leash and immediately Abby came over to check out Britts. I never saw Britts sit so tall and still like that night LOL! It was the funniest sight she just sat there really tall and didn't move a muscle - only her eyes moved back and forth - she probably figured if she stayed really still and didn't make any sudden moves maybe that big brown pile of fur would go away LOL! Eventually as the weeks went on Britts played more and more and didn't seem as nervous. I guess she was coming into her own :o)
Throughout the class she did ok but honestly I didn't feel as if she really "learned" anything - she was pretty good with sitting when we would tell her to but as far as the walking on the leash ugh it was a disaster - still is 10 years later. She is just NOT good on the leash plain and simple. She pulls alot and if she sees something she wants forget it whoever is holding her leash is going for a ride LOL! I have been on plenty of "rides" with her that is why for the past oh 6 years she has been pretty much a "backyard" pooch - meaning we have a huge backyard which is all for Brittany - it is where she can run free and get all the exercise she needs. Scott on the other hand would still take her on the occasional walk - though over the past year that has really stopped because she has pretty bad arthritis in her back leg.
Brittany did end up receiving her "degree" from this obedience class but I would have to honestly say it really wasn't what I had envisioned it to be. Part of is was our fault since we didn't really reinforce any of the training techniques the trainer showed us but I just didn't feel like he really showed us all that much KWIM? I think if we were to get another Mastiff we would probably do more extensive training and possibly get a one-on-one trainer to work with us rather than going to a class with alot of other dogs - it seemed to be too much of a distraction for Brittany. But you live and learn right - all in all the class was fun and heck Britts did learn a few little things like how to sit really tall and still when a big hairy "beast" comes to check you out LOL!
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