Bella graduated from Beginner Obedience Class and she did so well I decided to purchase another block of eight classes for a discounted $85.00. I can attend Mondays or Tuesdays and can skip weeks if I want since it is an ongoing class. Here’s a recap of our first Advanced Training Class.

The first advanced class was a bit overwhelming. I was used to 5 or 6 dogs but we had TEN! One dog, Oakley, was from the beginner class but the rest were all long-timers with already really trained dogs. Bella was frightened and bark-growled numerous times, especially at the start.

As the class progressed and I became less tense, Bella calmed down quite a bit too. We worked on heeling in groups, did off-leash recalls, and had to sit-stay and down-stay as a group. But Bella was excellent at all of her tasks. We need to work hard at heeling better.

The most nerve-wracking thing we had to do was heel-weave around all the other dogs and owners. Pretty tight quarters for a pup who is frightened by other dogs. But Bella did a great job.

My sister Jennie attended and Oakley, on a recall, ran over to her like he knew her. So, the trainers suggested she stand closer in so in case he ran off she could call him. They mistakenly thought Jennie was with Oakley’s owner and not with Bella and me. It was pretty funny!!

I’ll try to attend weekly or bi-weekly depending on how much practice we can get in. I play on walking her every morning and most lunches and nights just to really get good at heeling. I have complete faith in Bella that she will master everything I throw at her, and eventually be comfortable around other dogs.

Bella’s final Beginner Obedience class included a series of “tests” to see if she would pass. Here’s what we had to do:

• Heeling – show that she can heel properly including sitting when we “halt” – Bella was a bit shaky with this one but adequate
• Stand for Exam – she must stand still while being “inspected” by the trainer – Bella moved a bit at first but was then good
• Off Leash Heel – she must heel without her leash on – Bella did surprisingly well at this, best in the class
• Across Room Recall – she must sit and stay until I call her from across the room (off leash) – Bella was *perfect*, the only dog to come immediately AND sit in front of me (called “front”)
• Sit for 1 Minute – she must sit and stay for 1 full minute with me 6 feet away – Bella was the only one to complete without any correction
• Lay for 3 Minutes – she must lay down and stay for 3 minutes with me 6 feet away – Bella aced this one easily as well

Bella was overall awesome and made me proud. I was a bit worried since I was away on vacation for 5 days leading up to her final class so we didn’t practice at all. But both Stacia (who attended) and I feel Bella did the best of all the dogs but more importantly, did what she was supposed to do and what we worked 8 weeks to get to.

I am going to continue with some extended training for 8 more classes because I feel this will only help Bella become an even better dog and eventually get over her fear of other dogs.

I bought Bella Nova Scotia a wicked cool dragon toy with 16 squeakers in it. She loves it.

Our seventh of eight classes was July 6th and was our best one yet. I can tell just by how fast the class time went and the focus Bella paid to me. (Plus, the trainer said she was doing well and I didn’t need any “special” attention in class.)

We learned how to start training for off-leash work. We use a long nylon rope/leash. We heel as normal but every time the dog loses attention (strays from your side) you step on the rope and walk to the dog to correct and continue. DO NOT grab the rope because if the dog pulls it will rip your hands up!!

We were also told what our final class requirements were for graduation:

• Adequate heel and sit
• Sit-Stay for 1 minute
• Lay-Stay for 1 minute
• Stand for Exam

We practiced each of these and Bella was PERFECT. I personally think she was the best of all the dogs, at least with both stays.

Bella’s only problem was she was a bit “talkative” towards the other dogs especially when a “demo” dog was brought in. This was a dog Bella had never seen and she didn’t appreciate its Rottweilery presence.

But I am confident that Bella will pass with high honors.

Our 6th class was on June 29th. It was a busy class and Bella was a bit distracted. We worked on much of what we had been doing already: front, sit-stay, down-stay, and more.

One new thing was calling from further than 6 feet. We would do a sit-stay and walk about halfway across the room. Then we’d wait until directed and call. Bella is funny about this because when she is attached to the leash she feels like she shouldn’t run to me. In a big way this is a good thing. She would never run from me (off or on leash).

The week of homework was a bit frustrating because of the heat and Bella acting a bit naughty/distracted. I am still working on the timing for heel-halts. Every time I stop while heeling, Bella should sit next to me. A lot of the time she goes in front and then sits. So I have to retract her and try again.

Regardless, she is walking well on the leash and is always on the left side, knowing not to cross my path.