Royvon Dog Training Schools Proudly Presents
"Alfie"
My name is Alfie! I've always been very confident and wilful; although quick to learn I would rather be naughty it’s more fun!
I was brought home at 6 weeks old and because my owner is an Office Manager in a garden centre I was able to go to work with her every day so I'm now a bit of a celeb with the customers and love all the attention!!!
Before Royvon:
Although I am very loved, happy and pampered, when I got close to one year old, I started showing more signs of being the "teenager" I was. It was for this reason that my owner decided that it was time for formal training. It's not that I'm a nervous or aggressive dog - I just like to do my own thing. I sort-of listen, but I also like to bite, hold and pull on my lead, bark and turn my training sessions into a big game of my own making. It's fun for me, but I don't think anyone else sees it that way.
During Royvon:
My Trainer was Mike. He read all about me, so when we first met, he made it clear that we were going to be very good friends, but it was going to be on his terms. In fact, on the first day he introduced himself, I jumped all over him to show him how happy I was to meet him. But, he didn't even look at me - he had his back turned to me and no matter what I did, he wouldn't engage with me, and then he left. When he came back a little later, I sat patiently to see what he would do because I didn't want him to leave again. This made him not only stay, it made him pet me and calmly talk to me - and even take me out to run, play and see what I would do for him. It didn't take me long to learn that when I listened to him, he rewarded me big time, and when I did my own thing, he withheld all attention.
Although I was quick to learn how to have fun with the new rules and keep Mike happy, I would get sometimes get lazy, lie down and refuse to finish my lesson. For this reason, Mike suggested that I have my diet monitored to stabilize my energy. I am very motivated by food, but like any good dog, I will indulge myself and then get tired.
I loved being at the school and was very social with the other dogs. I liked to show them how to do the exercises properly and I especially liked to be seen being pampered. Mike was careful, however, to tell my owner that it was important that they treat me the same way at home - on their terms without exception. He also expressed the importance of communicating to me, including rewarding me and correcting me with the careful and creative use of the voice.
It is going to be strange to be back in my familiar environment with a whole new life and set of rules ahead of me, but I have proven that I am more than capable of happily following commands.
After Royvon:
My owner has stuck to all the rules like eating before me and making me sleep on my own bed and I haven’t minded one bit (although I still don’t like being told no... but I'm getting better).
I would never walk to heal before training but now she says it’s a pleasure taking me out for walk. My exercises are going well and the whistle that Mike gave me is brilliant.
