Ellie's first class

When we first got there we had to wait outside because the other class hadnt let out yet. We saw the other Cavalier right away. She was a small Blen Ellie was afraid despite the other Cavalier's eagerness to play. Paul picked her up for a bit and then we held her as we kneeled on the ground. Would you know it she came into heat right there in the aisle at PetSmart. I went to buy her a pad thing while Paul talked to the instructor. We put her in the pad and the instructor said this class would mostly be talking if we wanted to come in anyway. So we took her and held her on our lap. Besides the 2 Cavaliers there were 2 Bishons, a Beagle, 1 Shih Tzu, and 1 Shih Tzu/Bishon mix. While the other pups ran around on their leashes as the instructor talked our lil Ellie sat in our lap and watched above. After a while we lowered her onto the ground and she had few encounters with the other dogs and she would run behind our chairs to escape them. Everytime she allowed a dog to approach her we pet her and praised her. Then they did the command for watch me with treats. Ellie is all about the treats and because Paul trains with her at home not only does she perform watch me perfectly twice she sat for them as well. While the other dogs were working she started to get bolder and even ran to the Shih/Bichon mix owner and jumped up with her paws on his lap to try to get at some of his treats. When class ended we talked to the instructor and she said she thinks Ellie should be able to still come to class with her pads on. The ring is enclosed and the only male in the class is the Shih/Bishon mix. We figure we will just carry her from the car to the store and back because her fear issues are great right now and she did make some huge break through tonight that we would like to work from this success and move on. I was just so proud that she let other dogs come up to her and sniff her and she didnt growl or bark and even touched noses with the beagle. I think this was a good idea and I hope at the end of this 8 week course we will finally have a non-fearful pup! The funny thing is where Ellie lacks in fear she makes up for in actual training Between her breeder and my husband she has a lot down already so that part should be good for her.

Im proud of her and I hope it can only get better from this class on. Maybe I can take pics after a few more classes to share