Well Gidget made it through her first class of obedience school….David & I do not expect to pass with flying colors. I don’t think I have ever been so embarrassed in my entire life. It was horrible! Gidget just started off bad from the beginning. Immediately she went crazy pulling me everywhere to see the other dogs and was barking up a storm. The other dogs, while we are on that subject, are primarily tiny puppies, maybe 6 weeks old. All of the other dogs are “pure bred” with snobby owners…my little Gidget was the only 7 month old “mutt”. I’m sure that, on it’s own without her behavior, had people thinking “what the heck are they doing here?” Well the beginning of class went as well as can be expected…she didn’t really want to listen, but she did as good as she could. We are all outside standing in a big circle around the trainer (Connie). Connie is now going to demonstrate “leash walking” and she decides that she wants to use a dog that likes to pull a lot. Ding, Ding, Ding…you’re up Gidget. I noticed that Connie didn’t have to think long on who she would pick for this demonstration. So I watch as Connie takes Gidget with her to the middle of the circle (spotlight) and Gidget is just jumping and barking and SO excited to be the center of attention….then the clincher came…..my dog…ahem….humped the teacher. OMG….I couldn’t believe it…well I could, but I didn’t want to. I swear I heard a fellow dog owner cry out in shock. The teacher reacted in a calm state….she tried to pretend she didn’t notice what was going on and non-chalantly tried to kick Gidget off of her. This only provoked Gidget to start jumping all over her and growl. This was a wonderful part of the training session. On to our next embarrassment.
At the end of each class the dogs get to have off-leash play time in the fenced in pin. I could already tell that Connie really didn’t want to let Gidget join in on this fun. She asked me if Gidget had experience playing with other dogs…which she definitely has. We have taken her to the dog park in Springfield a few times, and also she likes playing with Gracie (David’s parent’s dog) Libby (Ryland & Smitha’s Doberman whom she has grown up around) & Sassy & Tuffy (my parent’s dogs). She loves other dogs, but is very spirited in her play time. Well the first group that get’s to go are the tiny, baby puppies. They were so cute, and Connie was clueing us in on the “body language” they use. When it was time for the 2nd group, I got the feeling that I was overlooked at least 5 times. Finally Gidget is chosen for the last group. She get’s to play with a German shepherd & an Akita…both at least 2 times larger than she is. David, Gidget & I go into the pin, along with the other dogs and parents. The teacher says “on the count of 3 take your dog off the leash and say GO PLAY”….so we did…and Gidget ran straight for the German Shepherd, tackled him to the ground, knocked him into the side of the pen, and caused him to yelp in terror. Connie starts yelling “Get your dog, Get your dog!” It took both me & David to catch Gidget and get her back on her leash…and she is just begging for more. So the owner of the sissy German shepherd puts her dog back on the leash and takes him out of the pin. Now it’s just Gidge & the Akita. The two of them played very well together….the Akita took Gidget down a few times, but she got some good tackles in as well. We were very proud!
I left class not planning on ever going back….actually expecting a phone call from Connie saying that this really wasn’t the right class for Gidget….but the call never came. Unfortunately we will be going back this Saturday.....I can only imagine what embarrassing moments are in store for us!
