A quick question

[GSDOWNER]

Originally Posted by ilsongirl

I was just wondering if anybody went to training classes, and if they do how many dogs are normally there?

Last week there were 20+ dogs and some times it tends to be a little mad

Thanks
Sarah

omg 20 dogs plus, lots of dogs not a lot of training imo, no this is not a good training class, 10 minus is you safe bet

what area are you from?

[ilsongirl]

We will not be going back.
There were 17 tonight but that is not only reason.

I am really annoyed a couple of things got to me.

Sophie was very fearful of other dogs when we got her and we have worked really hard at building her confidence up and she is now ok most of the time but gets a little scared around some dogs especiall pushy ones. We did explain this when we 1st started.

Sophie was a little stressed out and had a bark at a dog that was eye balling her. Paul corrected her by puting her in a sit and got her watching him. Another dog then barked and she had a woof again so got her in the sit. The trainer came across and i am not sure what he said because i had Ben but he pulled out a choke chain at which point I said I did not like them. He still put it on her (I should have shouted up there but me being me bit my lip and still had Ben!!) he said he just wanted to try it (it did not work!)

He then wraped a lead round her muzzle like it was a head collar this really stressed her, her tail was between her legs and she was trying to cower. I wouldn't have minded trying this if it could have been put on her in the right enviorment like at home when she is relaxed and it could have been made a good experience for her but he did not ask he just did it. for 30 mins after that she was still on edge. I have been trying really hard to make interaction with other dogs a positive thing for her and she clearly felt stress/threaten/scared.

There has also been another dog in class which is a little snappy with other dogs. He this week used a spray collar on it but whilst everybody dogs where in a down stay walked this dog through the class and basically used our dogs as bait for this one to snap at and the used the spray collar as correction. again without asking/explaining and again not something that is good for Sophie.

Ben got really worked up at seeing Sophie stressed out so was a handful Paul took him outside to calm him down and was finding getting Ben back in to class and keeping him calm nearly impossible. Nobody helped him.

Sorry for the rant and i am sure i have over reacted to somethings but i just hated seing my guys stressed out. I am most mad at myself for not walking out!

[ilsongirl]

I am in Nottingham by the way!

[LOVEGSD]

I don't blame you for not going back, if I were you I wouldn't either!! No-one likes to see their baby stressed and to me it sounds like the trainers just blundering through with no thought for how the dog will react.

I would deffo find another class before this one does more harm than good....

[Wooferhound]

I'd also be finding out if this 'trainer' belongs to any organisations of worth, if yes then report them, this is disgusting behaviour, not least that they are putting added stress on your dog, but going against your wishes. Any good trainer worth their salt will only 'advise' and not force their own ways on you, I wish you lived near me!!!

Another option for you would be to find a COAPE behaviourist that runs training classes, most of them do, and they would be sensitive to your needs, taking things gently again and help to undo anything that has potentialy set you back...I hope this is not the case mind you!

Take a look here: CAPBT - COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers

Sorry you've been through this...

[ilsongirl]

I am a little clamer now

No halm seems to have been done they were both well behaved today on their morning jaunt. Though I don't how they will react in a class situation I am hoping that there won't be any assocaiation with what happen there carried on to a new class.

I think it was the fact he was not listening to what we are syaing.

I will definatey stand up for what I believe a more though from now on though.

Sarah

[ilsongirl]

I think I may have found somewhere to take them. The nurse at the vets recommended and has trained there herself.

I spoke the trainers husband and she is going to give me a call back to see if Sophie is okay to join. Fingers crossed.

[Wooferhound]

Ooooh good luck, let us know how you get on....

[LOVEGSD]

Originally Posted by ilsongirl

I think I may have found somewhere to take them. The nurse at the vets recommended and has trained there herself.

I spoke the trainers husband and she is going to give me a call back to see if Sophie is okay to join. Fingers crossed.

Good luck I hope it's a more positive experience this time...keep us posted.

[GypsyGSD]

Good luck with the new class, the first one sounds like a nightmare. colleen