RE: [PyrNet-L] Heidi in Puppy Pre-school

["Murden, Deanna" <Deanna.Murden@wl.com>]

Kathy,

Thanks for the post! Sounds like Heidi is doing extremely well in
school.  Making us all proud!

I currently have a (.....hmm,  8...9...10....) 11 week old pyr at home,
and we're looking for a good (and affordable) obedience school to enroll
in.  It's fun to read what I'll be  getting into!!  Lucy already is
exhibiting some traits you're mentioning.  I don't know if she knows
"sit" or just knows she'll get a treat when she sits.  She will run up
to you and sit, you produce treat, then she won't move!! i.e. she's
gotta get up before you can tell her to sit again!!  It's getting
frustrating. So I decided to teach her something else to alternate
rewarding for......so we begin to walk around the yard on the leash.
10-15 ft of good "look at me" walking and I give her a treat. (she sits
anyways).  Now knowing I have treats, she sits and looks at me and won't
walk.  So while I'm trying to teach her to walk, she's spontaneously
sitting and looking pretty.....<sigh>.

As for coming when called......exactly when did Heidi begin to recognize
her name?? Lucy mostly does her mule impression for us when she decides
she's not walking any more.

Lucy also is **very** excited about children.  Nevermind
cats/squirrels/dogs etc.  But if she hears a childs voice, she locks on
and I can't distract her away.  Mind you she is very nice and submissive
when they come over to play, but (believe it or not) not all children
want to come over and say hi to her.  So she sits and wags and waits and
wags and waits...then the kids walk right by her......then you'd think
she was gonna cry.  As her mom, this is very depressing to watch.  (I
also have to tell you that my husband and I are not "children" type
people........how ironic.)

	[>]  I had always read that pyr's are "stubborn" to train, but
never read if they are considered to be intelligent or not.  So you're
comment from the trainer was interesting.   Up until now, I figured Lucy
was doing alot of reading at night!!!
	(she is one extrememly good puppy!)
	   
	[>]  One last "inquiry" I have....Does Heidi still play-bite??
[>]  We're doing our best to be firm that she not do this,  will it get
better? is this just a phase? teaching is mildly effective at this
point...a play session seems to consist of "Lucy No! Lucy OUCH! Lucy No!
OUCH!" etc. etc. etc..... 
	[>]  
	Questions, Questions, Questions.......
	I guess I'm in the puppy phase of HEELLLLPPPPP!!  Any
advice/support you're willing to share would be MOST appreciated! 

	Thanks for sharing your experiences! Keep 'em coming!

	Deanna and Lucy