Tango graduated his beginner obedience class yesterday! He held his own amidst mutts 10X his size, didn't get eaten or stepped on, and actually learned a few things that I'd had trouble teaching him, thanks in part to a very patient and sweet trainer! We'll go back in a couple months for their intermediate class. And no graduation photo shoot would be complete without one of the graduate and his trainer, Sophia!
That is a very proud-looking pupil. Your idea to follow-through with the intermediate class sounds a good idea. Great foto's Ronni.
Thanks everyone. Training iS often ignored with tiny dogs like mine. They're so little that most folks don't see the need, because you can just pick 'em up in pretty much any situation, as a substitute for training. Don't like them barking? Pick them up. Don't want them running away from you? Pick them up. Want them to stay still? Pick them up. It's really quite ridiculous, especially because along with that mindset comes the one that sees them only as babies, or accessories, or toys or something. They're dogs, first and foremost! And I do my very best to treat them like dogs. Yeah, there are certainly some circumstances in which they're treated differently that I would a big dog….like when a 100 pound mutt is bounding towards them intent on either playing, or eating them! Either way, I'll pick them up, even after I know the dog's intention. Their very enthusiasm could easily inflict serious injury if they step wrong. But for the most part, they're leashed walked everywhere (not carried) and when I put clothes on them, it's for warmth (they are warm climate dogs.) Sorry….I get kinda pissy sometimes about the folks who own chis, because they contribute to the already bad reputation that chihuahuas have. Even though they love their dogs, please, let them walk on leash, train them, refuse to allow the growly, bitey, nippy behavior that chis are infamous for, and just generally treat them like DOGS!
Sophia has another beginner class starting in April. Jazz will be attending that one Tango won't be the superior one for long. We certainly don't want this to to go his head, he's arrogant enough already! By the end of the year I'm hoping to get them both through the Intermediate and Advanced classes. Several people have suggested to me that Tango get his CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certification so that he can train to be a therapy dog!
Have to share….. A friend of mine on another forum, a chihuahua forum I've been part of since I first rescued Tango, made this for me. So cute!!
Well done that Trainer,..and congrats to Tango who looks very cute in all the shots,..i bet you feel really pleased Ronni.
Ronni--I like your attitude about training dogs, no matter what their size. Little dogs can get away with a lot! I was once in a dog training class with our (then) OES. The dog next to ours was a small breed & very fluffy. The dog person had a hard time telling if the little dog was actually sitting on command, it was such a little ball of fluff. She kept having to bend down & check to make sure! Congrats to your pouch! You must be so proud.
