Training and Shopping
Finally talked to someone at Sportsman's and Wolverine Dog Training clubs. The lady at Sportsman's was very condescending. I mean, I know people have a tendency to think their dog is the greatest and knows all their stuff, but no matter how I tried to explain that I understand, she tried telling me that he'd be in a beginner class because of his age, whether or not he had his CGC, etc. I was very put off. All I really wanted to a chance to meet with a trainer and find out where he'd best fit - not someone telling me over the phone where my dog would be "because he is 9 months old, and that means he's in the beginner class."
On my way home from shopping today, a woman called from Wolverine. She was MUCH more pleasant and understanding, and SHE was the one who said I should meet with a trainer and speak with them. Her reasoning for starting in a beginner class was much more understandable - he may know all the commands, but it's helpful to know how they train, and it's easier for dog and human to start at the beginning to learn that. Understandable. I said we planned to test for our CGC the weekend of the 21st, and asked if that would automatically put him at a higher level - of course it would, she said. She also offered to have one of the trainers call me to discuss my goals and plan a meeting. MUCH more pleasant.
I am also meeting someone at another dog training club on Monday to see how I like them. She raves about them, and they're half the cost of Sportsman's or Wolverine.
The shopping excursion was fun and awesome, but social_deviance is a bad influence and I spent waaaay too much money! We first went to K9 where I bought bedding for the rodent, 3 bottles of "spot cleaner," 5 bully sticks, 2 cans of wet food, and a couple other small things - $40 there. Out to dinner, so $10 there. Then we went to MPS where I got a free 6.6lb bag of Merrick Before Grain in the buffalo formula (which I might use when we go to PA), a dog food container that actually will fit our cupboards, Frontline for $39(!!!), and another 15lb bag of Merrick dog food in the Wilderness Blend formula on sale for $5! It was $50 there, but the stuff was worth it! The B.G. food alone is $15 ($20 on Merrick's site) for a 6lb bag! I might have to go back in a couple weeks with another coupon ;)
We didn't make it to the dog park, since I had stayed at work longer than I had planned, but at least we made it out in the gorgeous weather to do something. Hopefully it doesn't rain too much tomorrow and we can make it out so he can play - he was so excited to be out that it took him awhile to listen to me.
Now, time to hunker down and do homework. I really just want to go to bed.
On my way home from shopping today, a woman called from Wolverine. She was MUCH more pleasant and understanding, and SHE was the one who said I should meet with a trainer and speak with them. Her reasoning for starting in a beginner class was much more understandable - he may know all the commands, but it's helpful to know how they train, and it's easier for dog and human to start at the beginning to learn that. Understandable. I said we planned to test for our CGC the weekend of the 21st, and asked if that would automatically put him at a higher level - of course it would, she said. She also offered to have one of the trainers call me to discuss my goals and plan a meeting. MUCH more pleasant.
I am also meeting someone at another dog training club on Monday to see how I like them. She raves about them, and they're half the cost of Sportsman's or Wolverine.
The shopping excursion was fun and awesome, but social_deviance is a bad influence and I spent waaaay too much money! We first went to K9 where I bought bedding for the rodent, 3 bottles of "spot cleaner," 5 bully sticks, 2 cans of wet food, and a couple other small things - $40 there. Out to dinner, so $10 there. Then we went to MPS where I got a free 6.6lb bag of Merrick Before Grain in the buffalo formula (which I might use when we go to PA), a dog food container that actually will fit our cupboards, Frontline for $39(!!!), and another 15lb bag of Merrick dog food in the Wilderness Blend formula on sale for $5! It was $50 there, but the stuff was worth it! The B.G. food alone is $15 ($20 on Merrick's site) for a 6lb bag! I might have to go back in a couple weeks with another coupon ;)
We didn't make it to the dog park, since I had stayed at work longer than I had planned, but at least we made it out in the gorgeous weather to do something. Hopefully it doesn't rain too much tomorrow and we can make it out so he can play - he was so excited to be out that it took him awhile to listen to me.
Now, time to hunker down and do homework. I really just want to go to bed.