LESSONS TO LEARN !

Yesterday we went to our first dog classes :)

It felt like a huge thing for us - we have been talking about it for a while, and now we finally got in touch with a dog trainer. We have such good dogs, but they are probably good more because... well... they just ARE, and not so much because we have done everything right. And also, after we got dog number two, it became more apparent that it would be good to have a LITTLE bit more control. Especially when we go for off-leash walks, it can be really tricky to call them - they basically go wherever they want, come whenever they want, and expect us to be there :)

And so we went... And, yep, there are things to learn :) The dog trainer was great - really good with the dogs, very energetic, very clear, very interesting! So - what was the most important lesson?? That we are not enough interesting for the dogs!! That somewhat felt like a small punch in the stomach. Yes, the dogs are happy and safe, they are physically well trained, we go for long walks every day. But, especially when it comes to Maja, we don't play with her enough. And it is true: we don't spend much time playing with the dogs.. The trainer spent some time playing tug-of-war with Maja, really physical and really loud. Wow, it was so clear how much fun Maja had, and I really felt bad there and then - it was like we had taken something away from her.

So - these are our tasks.
- We have to get a little bit more unpredictable, so the dogs will expect something nice, they just shouldn't know what!

- When we go for walks, we have to take a chance and leave them behind. No waiting, no cuddling when they finally decide to catch up. We go, and the dogs will have to find out themselves that they have to pay attention. If we stop to wait, we start walking again immediately when the dogs come.

- Names are for positive feedback only.. (Yeah, it has been a little bit too much of the; MAJA, COME HERE).

- And playing! Especially with Maja. Not much, just some few minutes, but then really intense and really loud.

It is weird - after spending so many hours watching dog programs on TV and talking about bad dog owners, the finger was now pointing at us :D But that is great - we now have a trainer we like, tasks to do.. I think it will be good fun, both for the dogs and us :)