Max's First Training Class

Being an Australian Shepherd, Max is a really smart dog.  He picks up tricks almost instantly.  For example, about a month ago we wanted to teach him "off," as in get off the furniture.  So one morning I grabbed a couple treats, walked in over to the couch and said up.  I kept patting my hand on the cushion of the couch until he jumped up.  Then I gave him a treat.  Then I patted the floor and said off.  He jumped off and I gave him a treat.  Then I said up and he jumped on the couch.  Then I said off and he jumped off.  Instantly trained!!  It's really that easy with him.  He has also learned a series of other sayings without us giving it too much effort...

"Get your toy." = He goes to his basket of toys and grabs one out to play with
"Go get it." = If we're playing fetch and he can't see where we threw the toy, we just say that and point and he runs over to get the toy.
"Breakfast" or "Dinner" = He starts doing little excited circles cause he knows he's going to eat
"Go outside" = He runs for the front door
"Go get dad" = He'll go find Chris anywhere in the house (not really sure it works with mom yet)
"Give me kisses" = He will start licking you
"Mauh (kiss sound)" = He will come up and lick your face

But there are a couple things that we can't break him of.  First, if there is another person around besides Chris or I, he doesn't listen at all.  He just gets so excited to see other people that he can't stay calm.  I'm really glad he loves other people and doesn't growl at them, but sometimes other people don't want to be bugged by a dog.  Second, if he is off the leash and smells something, sees a bird, or another dog he's gone!  There has been many times when we take him out to the big field and he just takes off running toward a duck or goose.  Chris and I try desperately to tell him to stay or to come and he just couldn't care less.  It scares me because there are cars, dogs and kids around...and I don't want Max to get run over, bitten by another dog, or to devastate some little unsuspecting kid with a face full of kisses!

So we decided to take Max to puppy training school.  Since he knows all the basics (sit, stay, come, lie down, etc.) we placed him in the intermediate class which teaches distraction training.  So the class is all about getting your dog to focus on you and your commands with there are distractions nearby.  So far we have worked on heeling on the leash, waiting at the front door when it is opened and closed, and staying when we squeek a toy or play with it in front of him.  All basics, but they are teaching him to listen to us when there are other fun things around.  It is a six week long course, so we will see if helps!  I know he can learn everything we teach him, it's just a matter of if he really wants to!  We will see!!