Justicemom
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I guess because the school I go to requires atleast 1 obedience class with them before you can do puppy agility I always started with obedience. Diva went to puppy kindergarten and then Superpuppy at 5 months old. The superpuppy was a precomp class design for dogs who are going to compete. They started the basics of all the obedience exercises(novice though utility), rally, agility(they had baby equipment) and body awareness and attention. When we started all she wanted to be is play with the other dogs and people. She couldn't stay or wait at all for months. When the other dogs worked she would scream at them and whine. She even earned the nickname "The naughty Tri"
Diva really had trouble with the static or control exercises, the active ones she was a natural. We just kept working on our weak areas. I believe those less then exciting exercises and waiting are very important in teaching self control and focus. Diva did not have lot of either. I would never expect my puppy to show the control and attention my older dogs do but I expect effort. I reward only for better effort as time goes on. Obedience training can be very boring, if you approach it that way(ie repeative and serious) or it can be very fun if you are motivating, unpredictable and creative. I used my stand around time in class as to play games(ie tugging,spins, hand touchs) work on attention, work on speed of sits and downs, turns, chair fronts or just waiting quitely. I work to make myself more exciting then anything else in the room.
I guess it comes down to your goals. I wanted a dog who will behave in public and around other dogs in any environment. Obedience and rally has always helped me with that and provided something fun for me to do with my dogs.
Diva really had trouble with the static or control exercises, the active ones she was a natural. We just kept working on our weak areas. I believe those less then exciting exercises and waiting are very important in teaching self control and focus. Diva did not have lot of either. I would never expect my puppy to show the control and attention my older dogs do but I expect effort. I reward only for better effort as time goes on. Obedience training can be very boring, if you approach it that way(ie repeative and serious) or it can be very fun if you are motivating, unpredictable and creative. I used my stand around time in class as to play games(ie tugging,spins, hand touchs) work on attention, work on speed of sits and downs, turns, chair fronts or just waiting quitely. I work to make myself more exciting then anything else in the room.
I guess it comes down to your goals. I wanted a dog who will behave in public and around other dogs in any environment. Obedience and rally has always helped me with that and provided something fun for me to do with my dogs.