omg...1st day...bronze level training.....

[gsdstewart]

...first day at training class today....took sheba for a long walk before hand....did it make a differance...afraid not......she was like scooby doo...howling away...was informed by trainer of the rules...no barking, or they get sprayed by mr spray....have another five weeks.....I have to master being able to check my dog all over(excercise 8)...teeth,eyes, ears, throat....examining all parts...does sheba like this...NO, she was very mouthy...the trainer has said that she does not do questions in the class, to email or phone......have always groomed etc Sheba on return from long walk...when she is tired...anyone suggestions......have also kept up with halti, however this will be getting abandoned..Sheba has a small scab from rubbing...........

[Su-C]

Originally Posted by gsdstewart

...first day at training class today....took sheba for a long walk before hand....did it make a differance...afraid not......she was like scooby doo...howling away...was informed by trainer of the rules...no barking, or they get sprayed by mr spray....have another five weeks.....I have to master being able to check my dog all over(excercise 8)...teeth,eyes, ears, throat....examining all parts...does sheba like this...NO, she was very mouthy...the trainer has said that she does not do questions in the class, to email or phone......have always groomed etc Sheba on return from long walk...when she is tired...anyone suggestions......have also kept up with halti, however this will be getting abandoned..Sheba has a small scab from rubbing...........

It sounds from your post that you didnt enjoy it much!!!! Or have I misinterpreted? I am surprised that your trainer doesnt do questions in class - this is IMO the best way for people to learn.

Could you hold Sheba while someone else goes over her? It may help to reassure her that nothing bad is going to happen, and then you can slowly progress to doing it yourself. You could perhaps hold a chew/bone to keep her occupied.

Same with grooming really. I've never had a pup that has really enjoyed it when young, but they do grow to love the attention.

Sue
x

[Stuart]

Thats often the way with Halti`s,..or at least in my experience,..thats why I changed to the Gencon,.. never had a problem since

It does seem like a very harsh enviroment to train a dog in,.. those rules........

[Tedsmum]

Don't be discouraged.
My pup was a complete nightmare at puppy classes and barked for the entire hour. I think my trainer was a little more friendly than yours, she did allow barking but not to excess. She issued us with cheese spread filled congs to keep them quiet.
In my case it was nerves. My dog was not confident and his reaction still to this day is to bark when anxious.
He is now 17 months and when we go to our first day of term at obedience school he still does it, although thankfully he does shut up when I tell him quiet.
The excitement of going to a place where other dogs are and strange things happen is probably affecting her. Practice every day at home and keep on going, you will see an improvement - I promise!

Originally Posted by gsdstewart

...first day at training class today....took sheba for a long walk before hand....did it make a differance...afraid not......she was like scooby doo...howling away...was informed by trainer of the rules...no barking, or they get sprayed by mr spray....have another five weeks.....I have to master being able to check my dog all over(excercise 8)...teeth,eyes, ears, throat....examining all parts...does sheba like this...NO, she was very mouthy...the trainer has said that she does not do questions in the class, to email or phone......have always groomed etc Sheba on return from long walk...when she is tired...anyone suggestions......have also kept up with halti, however this will be getting abandoned..Sheba has a small scab from rubbing...........

Now that would really deter Zee (not!), as she loves water, sprays etc.

You could try teaching Sheba the Stand command. Useful for drying dog off, checking things etc. You can make it into a game if she knows sit and down commands too - teach sit-stand-down and down-stand-sit each in a sequence.

[lauraburns]

For the examination part of the test, I taught Ozzie the command still. Basically, you hold them very gently around the muzzle so they can't move and say still then immediately release and reward, then once they have the hang of that, you can hold the muzzle with one hand, say still and just touch them in two or three places around the head then release and reward. They soon learn that the sooner they stay still the sooner they are released! Hope I have explained that in a way you can understand !!! Good luck, and I am sure the classes will get better!!

[Willo]

Originally Posted by gsdstewart

.....the trainer has said that she does not do questions in the class, to email or phone......

Don't get me wrong I love the convenience of the tinterweb and modern technology but to me the whole point of an educational class is to be able to ask questions there and then! You can guarantee that if you've got a question there are at least three others in the room that have queries of the same nature.

I hope when I'm going through the process of the training classes that I don't manage to find any class like the one you've been to! It would have got my back up immediately and no shadow of a doubt the poor dog would be picking up on that too.

[Caryll]

Originally Posted by vikky

spraying her when she barks?? If she had of used a spray on my pup i would have stuck it up her nose!! not allowing questions in class,she sounds worse than barbera woodhouse!!

Each to their own of course,but i would find another class and trainer she sounds like a right old crow

I totally agree. Pups will often bark when they're unsure/nervous, and when they are in a new situation. I would have thought that afew tips on how to stop the barking would be better than a spray! For me, that would have been my cue to leave & report the trainer to the KC!

As for not answering questions in class, that's ludicrous - surely if one person asks a question, the rest of the class can learn from it as well?

[gsdstewart]

...hey folks, thanks for the advice...have ordered a gencon all in one...
..at the moment Sheba is very mouthy, still chasing leaves and flies and lunging to play with other dogs....I am not sure about the trainer, she is very Barbra Woodhouse...and of course being in a room full of dogs is a big distraction...I have been practising checking her eyes, etc but she still does a bit mouthing...I have been yelping like a dog when she touches skin...I have tried a spray.. however I think this antagonises....( an older post)..Sheba is one of the oldest pups in the class...I think that I am feeling the pressure as it seemed regimented...I like to ask questions at the time, so that I learn on the spot...but the trainer sent me a email with the rules of the class!!..however bonus.. another younger German Shepherd owner in the class and she is good to bounce of...had a laugh outside!!....I have been looking for training classes since I got Sheba...not alot in Dunfermline, Fife...will bash on and let you know...