AWESOME CGN Training Course

Never would I have believed that I would be able to walk Shasta without her Halti or Gentle Leader with the nerve damage in my arms and hands, along as my other conditions...but I can now, with only one small instruction. Don French is a FANTASTIC trainer!
Years ago, and I'm talking many years back, I took my GS for Obedience. It was NOTHING like this at all. We used the choke chains with firm commands and pulls to the choke chain. Don told us he wanted us to use our flat collars. No training collars what so ever. I thought perhaps I should explain my disabilities to him, or perhaps I didn't belong in this class, so I emailed him. He assured me we would be fine and should attend the classes.
I had used the Halti or Gentle Leader on her since she was younger as a simple pull at times, felt like she was pulling my arm out by the socket. Sometimes I was so tempted to let go of the leash, but knew that I couldn't.
That's when I tried different types of harnesses. One was the No-Pull harness which was better, although still at times difficult. Once I found the Halti, I was so happy.
In the Ontario Legislation Act of Bill 132, it says a Pit bull must be attached to the collar of the dog. So as not to break the Law, I attached the leash first to the Gentle Leader and then to the collar. It was a lot of head gear to put on, a long with the muzzle. Poor Shasta!
As I read what Don expected of us, I became even more anxious and afraid. Not only did he want the dogs to be attached to a flat collar, but we were to walk our dogs with a loose leash. I had always taught Shasta, that when I gave her full reign, that meant 'Do your thing and I will follow!' Basically, it meant FUN TIME! So HOW was I going to ever walk Shasta on a normal collar with a loose leash?
I couldn't believe that in just one class, I would learn so much. You see...Don isn't training the dogs. He's training us. In that first class, he taught us how to get the dogs full attention focused on us, even with abstractions. He had us walking with a normal collar and a loose leash with the dogs walking by us. I was stunned, amazed and so excited how simple it was once we were taught a few basic rules. Within 5 minutes, if that, Shasta was walking nicely by my side and has continued to do so.
Naturally, I continued practicing with her throughout the week, but yesterday I knew I really had a challenge with my two small grand kids coming to spend the night. The first 15 minutes was always a nightmare, as she was always so excited to see them, she forgot all manners. How would she react when she saw them yesterday? I got her and I prepared, with a treat bag filled with pea size treats on my belt at my hip and hooked up her leash. Once the buzzer rang, I unlocked the door and knew my daughter would just walk in if it was unlocked.
Julian (the youngest) always runs to my door and loves to knock. That was my que to get Shasta to focus on me and not who was at the door. As they rushed in yelling 'GRAMMA! GRAMMA! I told them I would talk to them shortly, but first needed to work with Shasta.
I had her attention and as I could see he start to look away, again I gained that control of her focus. It took a few short times, but soon I was walking her by my side around the room. When I knew I had that complete focus, I then took her to first one grand child, told her sit, and then told Jonathan that now she was sitting nice, he could pat her for being so good. Then to the next grand child and finally my daughter. It was easier than I thought it would be! This was the first time EVER she never went balistic with excitement.
While I was making dinner, I decided to practice the stay as I walked away and returned again. Only I didn't just walk away and return, I had her 'sit' and 'stay' while I cooked supper and then would return and praise her. A few times through the night, the kids would be playing with her and she started to jump up as Jonathan asked her for a hug. Something I always thought was cute before, but now told Jonathan, no more hugs. Instead we told her 'off' and then she would get patted. The kids were thrilled to use the word 'off' since they knew it was a command they could use on her. Jonathan asked me if she was going to his school and I explained it was just a school for only doggies and their owners. Even so, he was quite impressed that Shasta was going to school as any 6 year old would be. Julian (3 years old) now wanted to go to school too, but I'm not sure if he wanted to go to people school or doggie school. LOL
It feels so good to take her out for walks and not having to go through putting on any of the extra head gear on her. A leash and a muzzle and we are ready to go, unless she is pulling the wagon or sled, in which I then put on her pulling harness.
Trimming her nails was always an adventure. Me, because I was nervous I might cut too far and her feeling my nervousness. Now, not only am I not nervous, but she offers me her foot. In one lesson, we have come so far together. I'm excited to learn more as I notice that we aren't only training 15 minutes during the day and 15 at night, but more so all through out the day.
Don told us it would be fun, but I didn't realise just how much fun he meant. And it's not just me having the fun, Shasta is totally enjoying this too, which makes it all the better.
I missed Saturdays lesson as it was at the same time that I had previously made arrangements to babysit, but Lindy phoned me telling me what the lesson was about. Plus I have our instruction book, so we don't get left behind. Some of it, Shasta already knows, so it's more of a reinforcement that I know I taught her that part well.
I highly recommend this program to anyone with a dog...and if you are fortunate enough, there is no one more amazing and good natured as Don!