Obedience-ing Bailey: Part 1

Bailey the monster started her 1st OB class on the 16th Feb, it’s been 2 classes already, so far so good albeit some minor drama put up by Bailey!

Gosh, I was very anxious! I didn’t know what to expect & what if Bailey cant even learn anything & what is she gets out of control? A thousand things running in my brain ;-( I had asked around for advice for a good place for OB training, of course some said there’s was better as opposed to this one, that one etc etc… MY concern was of course, I did not want a class that was too big. I rather have a skilled trainer. So, as I was recommended this trainer in Pet Safari, Mr. Badri by June, I took the plunge! I was relieved to hear the max of the class is only 5 dogs. I can imagine having a big class would be so awkward!

So as I got Bailey ready for class, again, I was like mummy preparing for an outing; Plastic bags for poop, sausages & water. I made sure I got there early as I had no idea where the loading bay is, for the pet-friendly lift. How forlorn, I reached Ikano at 3.10pm, but the class only starts at 4pm! Bailey drove me nuts again with her endless stream of barking. Any target within 200metres will trigger her into a barking spree, and barked & barked all the way to the class’s entrance. Everyone stared at us with distaste. I looked like a mummy trying to silence a crying infant! It was ultimately embarrassing!

Mr. Badri greeted me at the door commenting “Wow, making so much noises already, I can hear u from here!” laughing heartily! What a sprightly looking Uncle! Ha Ha! Bailey didn’t warm up instantly though, she ducked whenever Badri tried to pet her head! We said Hi to our fellow classmate Jeffrey & his little Jack Russell, Bobby! He’s a cutie!! I couldn’t stop gawking at Bobby! He adores Jeffrey to bits, the way he sits & looks at Jeffrey with such loving eyes!

We started with a simple session, just exchanging information and some tips from Badri. He made us use choke chains on our dogs. Which I have to admit, as cruel as they look, they are absolutely handy in controlling unruly dogs! Badri had us walk our dogs while he sat at the side observing us. Jeffrey & I walked them aimlessly around the class. Commenting as we went along what we shouldn’t do etc etc. Badri finally called us, “Ok, Stop, Stop guys! I’m falling asleep already!” Jeffrey & I exchanged puzzled looks. Badri asked we were so quiet!? That’s not the way to walk your dog! He said you gotta keep talking to your dog! Cheer it on! Keep in going with praise & encouragement! He told us to walk again. We went on cheering our dogs on, Badri said “More! More! Make it noisier!”…. Wat da……. But we went on anyway, cheering till our throats felt sore!

Bailey went crazy each time she crossed paths with Bobby, and likewise Bobby kept wanting to leap up at Bailey to play! It was amusing we kept having to stop and tear them apart! Bobby poop-ed on his 1st day… yiikess…

When we went on walking, Bailey tends to stray off course, Badri would call out to me “Pull her to you, Nicole, keep her busy, lead her, not the dog lead you!”. We would stop, call our dogs over & give them a warm, warm praise like they’ve won the Doggie Lottery! So when I called Bailey and tugged her leash, somehow it got tangled & she fell down, she was screaming!!!!! I panicked and bent down to try to pick her, Badri called out, told me to let her be, don’t touch her (he was worried I’d get bitten out of reflex!). He came over calmly & assessed her; Bailey still was on the floor. He said let her get up by herself. She got up slowly, limping a bit and wobbled slowly. I was wide eyed with terror. Badri said she looked ok, but observe her if she’s limping. So we went on with the class slowly.

Class ended on a light note, we sat around & chit chatted, Badri giving us advice and understand us & our dogs a bit more. I drove home, Bailey slept like a baby all the way home...