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Blog

Sit Happens

2/18/2021

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Picture
Oh no! My dog is watching me as I type this …. but SHE’S SITTING! How could I have let this happen? Allow a show dog to sit? OH NO!! Now she’s lying down. Sigh. Her show career is over. Unless? Perhaps I could just teach her when she’s supposed to sit? Hmmm ……
 
To this day I remember getting in trouble when I was around 2 years old for sitting down while watching the changing of the guards. The GUARD walked over and reprimanded me! I’ll never forget the seriousness on his face nor the look of embarrassment on my parents’ faces. Well, I didn’t know it wasn’t appropriate to sit! My parents didn’t know! There were no blasted signs. (Besides, I couldn’t read yet).
 
Since pugs are perpetual 2-year old children, I guess the same applies here. As the human, I’m going to need to tell my pug when it’s appropriate to sit, stand, or lie down.
 
Honestly, I haven’t met a single conformation person yet who hasn’t warned me “never teach a show dog to sit.” It doesn’t make sense to me. Even when I’ve followed their advice, and deprived the poor pug puppy the opportunity to learn puppy pushups and other important life skills, the pup STILL sat in the show ring! And, horrors, on the conformation table too!
 
A show pug has one short life to live. Why should a show pug have a less fulfilling life than a rescue dog?  Also, I can speak from experience when I say that a show pug who has NOT received obedience training is NOT a pretty sight … especially when living with a large grumble. And aren’t show pugs are supposed to be pretty 😉?!
 
So, I’m stepping out on that thin ice and breaking the rules. Yes, I’m teaching Lilibeth to sit.
 
She will sit while in a car.
She will sit while in a bar.
She will sit on my left side.
She will sit on our trike ride.
She will sit in front
And she will not afront.
 
Lilibeth, puppy pushups here we come! You will conquer everything with your brilliant mind and spirit. Never underestimate a pug or a pug owner.
 
This will be my first time to dual train. I’ve picked the brains of 100s of trainers who dual train and compete in both conformation and obedience on the same day.  I’ve re-read my dual-training books. I’ll add a mirror and videotape sessions to make sure I’m keeping my body language consistent and clear. And I’ll let you know how it turns out.
 
My plan: Begin with conformation Boot Camp which will last 30 days as we prepare for a BPUP to be held at the end of March. We will work on other important skills for rally like attention, recalls, manners, leave it etc. alongside but wait to begin the hardcore skills of attention heeling, Velcro dog, fronts and finishes to begin after Conformation Boot Camp. ALSO, we will enter her first rally show in June and ONLY do rally at that show. The following month, we will participate in both rally and conformation.  
 
I’ve got to make it fun …. we’ll start with …..
 
Eat meals on collapsed conformation table
Play and treat on “ “ “
Lead Breaking (follow pup around etc.)
Lure games (with lead on, treat using Left Hand/Lead Hand)
Obstacle courses with lure
Conditioning games
Manners – leave it, drop it etc.
And, of course, Rapt Attention.
 
Let the games begin!

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    Amy Aberg McLelland, owner Pickwick Pugs

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  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Pedigrees
    • AKC Bred With Heart
    • Health Screening
    • Training & Socialization >
      • Puppy Culture Protocol - What Has Your Puppy Been Up To These Past 12 Weeks?
  • Available
    • Inquiry Form >
      • Planned Litters >
        • Stars Fell on Alabama - Current Litter >
          • Pickwick's Show the World How to Smile
          • It's a Barnum and Bailey World
          • Casanova in Disguise
          • Even the Moon is in on My Scheme
          • Unforgettable in Every Way
      • Fosters Needing Adoption
      • Retired Show Pugs & Adults
      • Past Litters >
        • Begin the Beguine Litter
        • Thrill Litter
        • Lemaître Litter >
          • Stewart All Eyes Look at Me
          • Coco (Pickwick's Cold Champagne in the Afternoon)
          • Winston (Pickwick's Cosmic Constellation in the Stars)
          • Rocket Girl (Pickwick's You Can Call Me Rocket Girl)
          • Marie Claire (Pickwick's Cotton Candy in the Sky)
          • Stella Artois (Pickwick's Watching the Stars Align)
  • Resources for Owners
    • New Owner Page - Checklists, Training Goals etc. >
      • Training
    • Purchase & Contract Page >
      • Contract
      • Health Guarantee
  • Our Grumble
    • Champions & Show Pugs >
      • CH Peachtree's Kirkcudbright Kayleigh, CGC, RN, RI)
      • CH Pckwick's Child, That Hemline's Out of Sight), TKN
      • Lilly (Thrill on Blueberry Hill)
      • Annie (Zobear's American Idol)
      • Princess Buttercup (Forever is Now)
      • Stella Artois (Watching the Stars Align)
      • Marie Claire (Cotton Candy in the Sky)
      • CH Hill Country's I'll Bee Your Shining Star
      • CH Pickwick's Peachtree Hill Country Mighty Macintosh, TKN
      • Lilibeth - Pickwick's Show the World How to Smile
    • Fosters, Rescues, Companion Pugs (altered, not part of breeding program) >
      • Sebastian, BGR, CGC, RN, RA, TKN
      • Charlie Chaplin
      • Rocket Girl (Pickwick's You Can Call Me Rocket Girl)
  • The Painting Pugcassos' Store
  • Blog
    • Rally Training Boot Camp
    • Canine Freestyle
    • Conformation Puppy Boot Camp
  • Photos (Random Extras)