Advanced training classes

Goldentouch · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:33 pm Post subject: Advanced training classes

Hi there, as most of you know from my post a week or two ago, Leo passed his basic obedience course.
We got invited to the 'advanced training' and started last week, however im not sure if i wish to continue.

Firsty the class seems a bit loud and crowded. There is at least another 9/10 dogs in the class, all barking and very unsettled which makes Leo the same while at class and it makes me quite frustrated having to keep tugging on Leos lead to stay back and stop jumping up at other people etc. He usually just wont listen atall and continues to do the same thing leaping about, as most of the other dogs are doing the same.
We all continiously get told to "calm our dogs" however this is much easier said than done in a class of 10 or so puppies & dogs all hyper.

We obviously get told to practice at home, which i always do.
Leo and I practice what we have been told very hard and he always learns what is being asked of him relitively quickly.
However, when we attend class the following week he is so distracted by other dogs leaping around and barking he does none of the stuff taught. And the trainers look at us as if we havnt been practicing atall.

Overall, i really enjoyed our 'basic puppy obedience and training classes' , However im not really enjoying these ones as much due to the increased number of dogs, leaping about and barking, and it just generally feels like an hour of tugging on the lead and being told "Keep your dogs under control"

Is this the way these more advanced training classes should be?
And i know its ultimatly my decision, however do you think i should stick with the advanced training at this class or take Leo out of it?

Also does anyone know of any classes in the Dundee / Angus / Tayside Area? Maybe i can find other classes which are more settled and organised.

Any advice, help or tips on this matter will be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Jill x

dylansdad · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 6:47 pm Post subject:

Maybe another class might be the answer, I would certainly persist.

however, any good class will recognise that the dogs behaviour in class bears little relavence on the amout of ractice being done at home. The surroundings and excitement of other dogs in a normal thing that will effect your dog, especially in earlier classes.

You can look at it another way, your dog, by being there amidst the pandemonium will eventually settle down and this will be to your benefit when he becomes a stable well behaved lad in even the most difficult situations.

Remember especially in the early stages the instuctors should be assesing you and your ability to learn and train the dog, not the dogs ability to know everything.

_Mary_ · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:03 pm Post subject:

I would have though theoretically all the dogs in the class should have passed basic obedience and therefore be able to be controlled reasonably well (making allowances for excitement etc), but I`ve never taken CJ to classes so i don`t know.

It has to be up to you Jill, personally if I was`nt enjoying it and (more importantly) felt it was`nt doing anything for CJ I`d stop going, but would look around and see if I could find something else.

Hope your able to sort something out for Leo Smile

carene · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:49 pm Post subject:

Yes, my experience of follow on training after the bronze certificate was a bit like that - with hindsight I wish I'd gone back to a ringcraft class at that point. I've done this now, just to give our bouncy Luke the opportunity to spend time with lots of dogs in a controlled environment. I enjoy it more, and he loves it. It's worth looking round a bit to see if there's any classes near you which might be more suitable.

lablover · Account Deactivated

Hi Jill,
Sorry to hear of your disappointment with the classes. So much depends on the experience and number of trainers/helpers, the environment, as much as the number of dogs in the class. Are all the other dogs new to the class too, or is this normal? If so, I'd be tempted to look elsewhere. It can be difficult because so many owners are only interested in the basic obedience and so more advanced classes are fewer.
If you can't find anything here
APDT
and you're interested in continuing with the training it may be worth joining a club. The Kennel Club will have a list. If you contact them they will send you a list of clubs in your area.
regards
Jenny

Labshack · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:21 pm Post subject:

I took both my dogs to an APDT class although the one I went to was limited so my dogs knew and trained with the same dogs they always trained with - then I moved 200 miles away. I tried in vain to find a class which was more or less the same as I thought it invaluable they loved going - it took me 3 different trainers, the first was quite a way to drive and after being at work all day I couldn't dash off with one (leaving the other behind) and do the same with the other the next night. The second was like being in competition obiedience. I took my lab who has the silver award thinking he'll be fine and was horrified - the dogs were not allow to even acknowledge each other (it was rude). I've now thankfully found one that we can all enjoy - and they are both getting well back into their training albeit with new companions (sometimes quite noisey ones) I would really recommend you continue the training but insist you find one you all enjoy.

Goldentouch · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:30 pm Post subject:

Thank you all.
And thanks for the website Smile

I have emailed to enquire about classes i have found which are fairly close and will phone a few others tomorrow.
Although most, even the fairly close ones seem to be quite a drive outside the Dundee area, and currently im in a situation where ill have no car until Christmas time again. Confused

(Classes we currently attend are close, so dont need a car for them)

Thanks for all the help and advice, much appreciated! xx

Labshack · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 10:56 pm Post subject:

Keep the training you have learnt up til now up and start again when you can - You'll be amazed at what they remember. Just goes to show how much they do enjoy it

Keef · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:25 pm Post subject:

I think that you should continue with the training both at home and in a class situation - it is good for both you and your dog!

I think that a class size of 9 or 10 is probabbly the best size for a class - I know of places with classes a lot larger than that!

What do you do to stop Leo leeping about? (i.e. do you: pull on the lead? shout?, use a toy? use treats?) - What has the instructor told you (and the other handlers) to do to stop this?

I would suggest using some treats (really tasty ones like sausage, cheese, liver or spam etc) to get Leo's attention - he should then be more interesed in you that the other dogs in the class! (unfortunatly the other dogs may then be more interested in you than their owners!!!)

I am suprised that the instructors (is there more than one taking the class?) tell you to keep your dog under control - they should be telling & showing you how to do this! (have you asked for their suggestions?) With ONLY 10 dogs in the class the instructor should easly be able to help you within the class.

When you practice at home where do you actually do the practising? You should do some at home and also when you are out and about - this will also help Leo get used to and start to ignore distractions, of course as the distractions increase you have to lower your expectations of Leo tempoarally - allowing him to get used to the distractions (also introduce the distractions gradually - small ones first)

Generally my opinion would be to stick with the current class - unless it is really making Leo worse - work on getting Leo's attention on you rather than the other dogs. You can always look aroung for a better class once you have a car again!

Good luck in the training - and let us know what you do

Keef

Goldentouch · Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 10:55 am Post subject:

Thank you

Keef, when Leo is leaping about and we get told to calm him down, we get told to give a tug on the lead to pull him back.
Also, although there are only 10 or so dogs, the size of the hall we work in is extremely small, making 10 dogs seem like a large number. (There are 2 instructors)

When outside class time, Leo and i practice not only indoors but outdoors in the park where there are distractions. Its hard but often he will settle down etc when outdoors.
However in class it all seems to fall apart and we usually get told we aren't practicing enough, which i feel is a little unfair as its the class situation that makes it fall apart. We practice very hard indoors and out, in quiet areas, without distractions and with distractions when possible.
I dont think its making Leo 'worse', however his hearing seems to get more and more selective each time we attend.
Last week we started going over a few basics again for fun, however because of all the noise and jumping about from other dogs, Leo would not even sit, down or stay.
This is somthing he does anywhere outside, even with distractions. Confused

We had an email from another class this morning, which is only a bus journey away (Leo is fantstic on the bus thankfully)
They look promising.
The classes offer KC Good Citizen tests from puppy to silver and also family pet dog classes for the basics etc.
They also offer clicker training and i could start if i wished in 2 weeks.
The trainer who runs it sounded very positive about Leo and I joining.
Will have to think hard about this. But i feel positive about it already.
Smile