UGH this can't be good. Liberty is just about 8 months old. She is in a Novice Competitive Obedience class. I thought she was doing quite well except for being a little excited and pulling like crazy when we first get there. She did her sit/stays really well but would not do a down/stay at all. She doesn't like laying down and wouldn't stay down.

So the instructor called last night and suggested that Liberty and I come 20 minutes early for some extra help. I am thrilled that she has offered to take the time to help us, but embarrassed that Liberty is needing help. I thought she was doing pretty well! lol

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Liberty - 10 months




Kim - Mommy to fur-baby Liberty and 2 human daughters 12 and 14 years old

Don't be embarrassed they all have their little hang ups but be happy your instructor is willing to give a you extra help. Your pup will come around but it does take some practice and consistent repetitions, good luck.


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Training classes are not a competition - they are for training. Every dog (or child) matures and learns at their own pace - there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Sometimes we need to step back and reconsider whether we are asking too much from the dog, or too much all at once and the dog is confused. Sit/stay and down/stay are two very different exercises in a dogs mind, perhaps focus on one exercise at a time.

Don't be embarrassed. You have a committed instructor who wants to use the calmer period without the rest of the class in order to help work on something. That's awesome.

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Remember that some dogs go through a second teenage stage, and at 8 months, some won't do things that they would easily do at 4-5 months...I wouldn't push her too hard at this age, let her be a puppy, and maybe scale back on the level of class? I did a CGC with my Charlie at 6 months who is now 10 months, but she still has a hard time containing her excitement when she is around friendly people or other dogs. I generally try to keep things positive and not crush her spirit. But I do try to exercise her before I try a training session, it helps a lot. Good luck, and you are lucky you have such a great instructor!

good idea! Maybe I'll take her for a long walk or throw her frisbee for a while before class. I am starting to wonder if this class is too advanced for her as well. She's pretty good at most of the things like heeling, come to front, and she just learned stand. She does sit/stays for about 1 minute without a problem. it's just the laying down she doesn't like. I've got her doing them now, so if I can just contain her excitement we'll be all set!

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Liberty - 10 months




Kim - Mommy to fur-baby Liberty and 2 human daughters 12 and 14 years old

My charlie didn't like doing downs either...but she is very food motivated....so I took a week to focus on down, and that's it. She knew the command, so I gave the command and waited till she went down, and didn't repeat the command...and as soon as she went down it was a parade of food and love and high pitched praises....it took a total of an half hour of this on repeat, before she was solid. Of course not every puppy is as crazy for food as she is.

I bet she'll be great on this before you know it. I had a trainer tell me to repeat things over and over, all day long, in little chunks of time. It really helps hardwire the behavior. It sounds like you have a dedicated trainer, too, if she's giving individual attention.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

when chloe was in puppy classes she got the nickname "the wild child" . i can laugh about it now but at the time i was soooo embaressed. i spent most of my time trying to rangle my dog in. I cant count how many times we got kicked out of our ring and had to practice in a corner of a hall. one of the helper instructors would come over and help me focus on what the rest of the class was doing. just try to enjoy yourself and learn at your own pace Im sure you guys are doing really well!

ps we ended up passing puppy classes

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I agree with Kim about the teenage months. Copley did his CGC perfectly at 6 months, was a nut at 12 months and probably couldn't have passed then, and perfect again at 2 , easily passing his TDI therapy dog.

In terms of building up the duration of how long she will stay down, try to reward her on the floor between her paws. Mark the behavior with the word YES, but use a placeholding word like gooooooooood or eaaaaaaasy while you take a little longer to deliver the reward. Always use your release word religiously.

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Lush: GCH Am CH Harborview Sweeter Than 'Shine At PoeticGold CGC
Tally: Goldiva Raleigh Tangled Up In Blue CD RAE TDI TT CGC
Copley: BOS Chantilly's Bright Lights Big City RN TDI CGC
Finn: Sand Dancer's Infinite Sky TDI TT CGC