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Graduation Nerves!

FranVT

By FranVT,
in Training / Obedience / Dog Sports

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FranVT

FranVT

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Tonight is Atlas' graduation from beginner dog obedience and he still doesn't do absolutely everything on command first time. He is about a million percent better than he was at the beginning of the class but still not perfect :laugh: ;) What if we don't graduate and get left behind and have to do the class again!?

I am so nervous and I don't want to be nervous because Atlas will pick up on it and be nervous too.

Also should I do lots of training this arvo to get him ready or just a little bit? I don't want him to get sick of it / bored / too tired. I finish work at 3:30pm and I was going to do a little bit with him then then none 'til obedience at 7:30pm maybe that will be enough of a break?

Argh freaking out!!!

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SkySoaringMagpie

SkySoaringMagpie

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Fran, try this question in the training forum.

My advice tho' is to let go of worrying about ribbons and passes. I know it's hard, but ultimately what you want is a well trained companion - if that means repeating a term, that's fine. Better to have the behaviour solid than to be promoted beyond what your dog is ready for. Many trainers including top flight trainers have had to repeat or retrain. It is better to go slowly than to have to retrace your steps from the beginning. I did advanced class with my first Saluki 4 times!

You are right that nerves will travel down the lead, telling you not to be nervous won't fix that, but one of the things these graduation classes and tests do is give you an opportunity to learn about how you behave when you're nervous and fix it. Treat it as a continuing learning experience, not as a reflection on your worth or your dog's worth.

Atlas is a Bull Terrier? Don't compare yourself to people with Border Collies either. Having said that, you and Atlas are probably fine. Obedience testers are not looking for UD style precision when graduating beginners. They're looking for good training habits and a good relationship with your dog. Yes it's important to complete most of the exercises, but a good tester/trainer will already have your training with Atlas pegged. If they think you've performed poorly due to nerves, they may offer you a retest. If they think you're not ready, don't worry. Being in a class where you're more than halfway sorted with the curriculum can be a nice relaxing experience.

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FranVT

FranVT

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Fran, try this question in the training forum.

Oops! So sorry :laugh:

My advice tho' is to let go of worrying about ribbons and passes. I know it's hard, but ultimately what you want is a well trained companion - if that means repeating a term, that's fine. Better to have the behaviour solid than to be promoted beyond what your dog is ready for. Many trainers including top flight trainers have had to repeat or retrain. It is better to go slowly than to have to retrace your steps from the beginning. I did advanced class with my first Saluki 4 times!

Yep I would rather that they "failed" us so we could repeat the class and get a more solid result than just passed us because they felt sorry for me ahaha, but still!

You are right that nerves will travel down the lead, telling you not to be nervous won't fix that, but one of the things these graduation classes and tests do is give you an opportunity to learn about how you behave when you're nervous and fix it. Treat it as a continuing learning experience, not as a reflection on your worth or your dog's worth.

Yep I am actually quite good at "zen"-ing away my nerves, jiggling them out through my fingers and taking deep breaths and asserting confidence so I hope I can do this tonight so Atlas can just concentrate on me and my commands. I know he is a good boy and I won't let a potential "failure" make me think less of him, or myself.

Atlas is a Bull Terrier? Don't compare yourself to people with Border Collies either. Having said that, you and Atlas are probably fine. Obedience testers are not looking for UD style precision when graduating beginners. They're looking for good training habits and a good relationship with your dog. Yes it's important to complete most of the exercises, but a good tester/trainer will already have your training with Atlas pegged. If they think you've performed poorly due to nerves, they may offer you a retest. If they think you're not ready, don't worry. Being in a class where you're more than halfway sorted with the curriculum can be a nice relaxing experience.

That's true I never thought about it like that! And yes he is a bull terrier, he is a typical one, very stubborn and much more interested in other things (specifically other dogs and smells on the ground) than listening to me with any consistency. Honestly he is better than probably 2/3 of the other dogs in the class though, there are some little dogs that handlers are really struggling with especially with 'stay' because they are always wriggling around! Atlas is good at stay especially drop/stay because he is kind of lazy, and stand/stay because he is much happier standing than sitting. He doesn't like sitting much at all.

Your post made me feel heaps better! Can I move this thread to training or can only Troy do that? So sorry again I didn't even think ;)

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SkySoaringMagpie

SkySoaringMagpie

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Your post made me feel heaps better! Can I move this thread to training or can only Troy do that? So sorry again I didn't even think :laugh:

Troy can do it, just PM him and ask. By the way, have you read Jane Killion's book "When Pigs Fly: Training Success with Impossible Dogs"? If not, read on!

Jane is a breeder and trainer of bull terriers and competes in conformation, obedience and agility with them in the USA. This is the training resources page from her website:

http://www.madcapbullterriers.com/index_files/Page650.htm

She also helps run a mailing list about training bull terriers:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/positivelybts/

Sometimes it can help a lot to trouble-shoot issues with people in your own breed.

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dogslife

dogslife

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You will be fine..... my wonderful rottie girl actually failed her puppy preschool and first training.

But we continued to socialise her and build her confidence. She was just scared.

She is the most delightful and well behaved dog these days.

Keep training and never stop. And best of all.... enjoy your dog.

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poodlemum

poodlemum

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I'm sure you'll be ok - as an (ex) Instructor myself, I used to promote people when the dog showed that he/she knew the exercises - perfection is not necessary at the beginner stage - more important to keep giving the dog (and handler!) new challenges so they don't get bored. I don't know for sure that this is the thinking at your Obedience Club, of course.

Anyway, don't get too worried or uptight, as Atlas will pick up on that - try to relax (Iknow -easier said than done :laugh: )

Good luck to you & to Atlas - he's a good-looking boy ;)

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Yacket's Mum

Yacket's Mum

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I fully understand your nerves...You think training a bull terrier is hard try training a greyhound who loves everyone and everything and wont focus! ;) We have been in class 2 for a year and the trainer has no intention for moving us up to class 3 until we have reliable recall :laugh: ;) not happening in any near future....he loves monday night zoomies to much...

I do wish you all the best and remember have fun with your fur kid!

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FranVT

FranVT

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Your post made me feel heaps better! Can I move this thread to training or can only Troy do that? So sorry again I didn't even think ;)

Troy can do it, just PM him and ask. By the way, have you read Jane Killion's book "When Pigs Fly: Training Success with Impossible Dogs"? If not, read on!

Jane is a breeder and trainer of bull terriers and competes in conformation, obedience and agility with them in the USA. This is the training resources page from her website:

http://www.madcapbullterriers.com/index_files/Page650.htm

She also helps run a mailing list about training bull terriers:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/positivelybts/

Sometimes it can help a lot to trouble-shoot issues with people in your own breed.

Yes someone told me about this book and I thought it sounded PERFECT, then I promptly forgot all about it ;) so I am ordering it right now it sounds just the thing for Atlas and I can't wait 'to go through the training stuff on her website and will join the mailing list too. Thanks so much! I will PM Troy after this reply.

You will be fine..... my wonderful rottie girl actually failed her puppy preschool and first training.

But we continued to socialise her and build her confidence. She was just scared.

She is the most delightful and well behaved dog these days.

Keep training and never stop. And best of all.... enjoy your dog.

Yes socialisation is another thing we are working on as well, at the moment he is quite dominant and humps everything which really is not going to end well for him one day so I am working on that and we are getting him the Suprelorin implant soon too (OH is really having trouble letting go of Atlas' balls :laugh: ). I won't stop I want everyone to see what a great and wonderful dog he is. The other day at the vets he was so good, everyone was wary when he walked in but they were all impressed with his obedience in the end :eek:

I'm sure you'll be ok - as an (ex) Instructor myself, I used to promote people when the dog showed that he/she knew the exercises - perfection is not necessary at the beginner stage - more important to keep giving the dog (and handler!) new challenges so they don't get bored. I don't know for sure that this is the thinking at your Obedience Club, of course.

Anyway, don't get too worried or uptight, as Atlas will pick up on that - try to relax (Iknow -easier said than done ;) )

Good luck to you & to Atlas - he's a good-looking boy :eek:

Yep, he sure is! Such a spunk and the love of our lives :eek: Shall try to be calm/assertive tonight so he picks up on those vibes. That thing about promoting people when the dog knows the exercises even if he's not perfect does sound like the obedience club I go to, they're all for that stuff especially in beginners classes. And honestly he is pretty damn good really I'm sure I am worrying over nothing.

I fully understand your nerves...You think training a bull terrier is hard try training a greyhound who loves everyone and everything and wont focus! :eek: We have been in class 2 for a year and the trainer has no intention for moving us up to class 3 until we have reliable recall ;) :love: not happening in any near future....he loves monday night zoomies to much...

I do wish you all the best and remember have fun with your fur kid!

Hehehehe I know all about zoomies! Atlas is mad for them! He loves to just spin around in circles making weird noises too. Focus is definitely his problem and recall is also a big deal for a dog like Atlas I will not be leaving the next class (intermediate) until his recall is as perfect as possible.

PMing Troy now!

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OSoSwift

OSoSwift

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FranCQ,

Try not to stress. We did our class one graduation on Saturday afternoon.

Rommi is very very good as a general rule, but as we had missed the first graduation due to her season, I was hoping she would pass.

Even though she did go a little blode a couple of times and forget her automatic sits, and there was some irresistable smeels eminating from the football oval kitchen over the other side causing her to miss some about turns she did very well. Her recall was spot on and her stays were very good even when another dog moved and tried to jump on her head! It didn't get to, but it was leaping around a lot!

Anyway not only did she pass, but she won the class - not at all what I was expecting.

Remember they are in class one, the examiner will not expect trial standard obedience.

Oh and a stiff alcoholic beverage of your choice may not go astray either. Seeing I don't drink anymore means I didn't, but I have had a stiff vodka before!

Goodluck, I am sure he will be great.

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FranVT

FranVT

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If it was within walking distance I would definitely be having a glass of wine beforehand! Either way I will have one afterward :mad Whether to drown my sorrows or celebrate. Maybe other people in my class will join me. :laugh:

I am getting really nervous lots of butterflies in my tummy now.

I wonder if I'm allowed to use treats in the actual test? Probably not hey.

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