Nightmare at training last night!

Jack started his new regular training class last week and all seemed to be going quite well in the first class, but last night was a disaster!!!!
He paid no attention to me what so ever - even sticking fresh chicken right under his nose didn't make a blind bit of difference (Jack is normally really food driven and hadn't eaten since his breakfast) - he was totally fixated on Hurley - a black lab in the class who's a similar age to him, they went through puppy and teen classes together so he isn't a dog who's new to him.
We tried everything to get him to focus - I had cheese, sausage and chicken as training treats, I borrowed some liver cake from some one, tried standing directly infront of Jack so that Hurley wasn't in his eye line, tried sitting away from Jack when we weren't doing things (my trainer suggested this thinking that he may focus on me more when training if I wasn't with him all of the time), got his toys out, but nothing worked.
By the end of the hour long session I was close to pulling my hair out!!! He was whining, pulling, ignoring me and generally being a bit of a so n so!!!

I'm hoping it's just an age thing

Any tips for dealing with a teenage male SBT would be gladly welcomed, but I have a funny feeling I may just have to persevre!!!

Hahahaha - I see this often. Not really all that much you can do. Take him for a walk before class so he burns a bit more energy. Don't let them play before class as it'll be even worse. Hope it goes better next week! Just remember training your dog is done at home so don't let it bother you to much.

mmmm remember that one. I just kept going to class and she did get better and much more focused. good luck

I can't advise - Bronx is always fixated on his mate Monty (Black Lab)

Usually Fixated by his teeth to the loose skin on Monty's neck ...

At least this is pretty normal then!!! That does make me feel a bit better!!!
He's out for a group walk on Saturday morning which went really well last time so fingers crossed that wasn't just a fluke, next class is next Tuesday, will take him for a longer walk before hand to see if that helps....

they all have off days, i wouldnt worry too much

when i went to puppy classes (i did a course twice) the second and third lessons were the worst ...the important thing is to remember is that the socialisation is good and he will be distracted so amy not do as his told but the more practice you do at home the better he will become,

You just need to be more interesting than the other dog. Do something hes not expecting like start jogging round the room, hes gunna be suprised and hopefully excited enough to prance round with you. Even if he doesn't its going to be pretty uncomfy being bumped around at a jog if he doesn't pay attention.

I also find silly noises work as do fave toys with some dogs, when he starts to focus on the other dog try and instigate a game so that your a bit more fun! High pitched noises are a great way of getting attention as its not negative to the dog but interesting...

I remember this phase with Ruby very well. All the advice above is good and yes, keep doing your training at home. I used to do mine on our morning walk when there was no other dogs about and then again in an enclosed area at night where she couldn't run off. Ten minutes each time was enough and a pocketful of delicious treats. This got us to Kennel Club Gold Award so maybe it will help you too.

Lcsstaffords wrote:You just need to be more interesting than the other dog. Do something hes not expecting like start jogging round the room, hes gunna be suprised and hopefully excited enough to prance round with you. Even if he doesn't its going to be pretty uncomfy being bumped around at a jog if he doesn't pay attention.

I also find silly noises work as do fave toys with some dogs, when he starts to focus on the other dog try and instigate a game so that your a bit more fun! High pitched noises are a great way of getting attention as its not negative to the dog but interesting...

I tried to get him playing with his toy but he just wasn't having any of it, tried making all sorts of weird and wonderful noises too - I may well try the jogging round the class (I can just imagine my trainers face if I do that!!!)

I burst into song over chasewater to attract mines attention should it wander, who cares what people think

I think my trainer would probably join in after she's composed herself from histerical laughter!!!
I now really wanna give that a go just to see what reaction I get!!!

I find the time warp works really well

Its just a jump to the left....

Ooooooh or Lulu - Shout

Top of your voice WEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL YOU KNOW YA MAKE ME WANNA.....

I burst into song all the time lol my youngest will say a long long time ago - but don't sing the song as I usually go I can still remember how the music ...

He is perfectly normal - try not to stress out as they do pick up on it -

I had experienced this too - Rocco was star pupil then one week we were asked to demonstrate - the little bugger decided that wasn't an option and just wouldn't do anything - very embarrasing lol xx

Hopefully next week will go well - but don't give up

I do love it when you get your dog to do something perfectly 100 times and then as soon as you go to show someone the dog looks at you like you're speaking a foreign language!!!!!