Totally Confused

I took Sisko to a training class tonight.Behaviour based training. I didn't enjoy it at all and it just confused me , teaching the leave command by pushing the dog away from the food or holding its muzzle closed etc. Also if Sisko shows any aggresion to dogs i need to grab him and hold him on his back/side to expose his belly. I left half way through and said i'd think about what they said.Do any of you go to classes like that?.
He already knows all the verbal commands and isn't aggressive , just wanted try a formal class but doubt i will go again.

That doesn't sound like the kind of class that I would go to! Sounds like they have been watching too much Dog Whisperer. You should train your dog to respect you, not to fear you! Try to look for a Positive Reinforcement class instead!

Never been to class but I certainly wouldn't go to one like that! Where did you hear about them? Couldn't have been recomended surely? Xx

No, I wouldn't go to a class like that - you're more likely to make a dog nervous by that sort of training. Like you, I'd have walked out.

I have never trained the leave command by holding a dog's muzzle closed - it just doesn't work, they just thrash around trying to get away! And I really don't like the holding down & exposing the belly bit.

The classes seem popular but i didn't know anyone who had been. She took Sisko into a group of other dogs and held him and all he wanted to do was come back to me, he was really not enjoying it.That was when i left because he was being scared and she claimed it was seperation anxiety, it made me feel like a total * for letting her do it

That's not seperation anxiety, that's just plain anxiety. I mean, she's a complete stranger & she's holding him away from you...what did she expect him to do?

I'm afraid I wouldn't touch that particular class again with a bargepole!

no i dont think i would have stayed there either. there are nice ways of getting them to do as theyre told without resorting to threatening behaviour like this. find a nice class ask around and if you find one that you think may be alreight ask if you can sit in on a session to see.

Thanks, i feel better now Sisko is snuggled up with Kasidy and hopefully forgotten the experience.

I wouldn't go back either.

Have look through this list & see if there's one near you. At least if it's recognised by the KC you know that the trainers have up to date qualifications...

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/2613

Positive training is what Staffys were made for. They love to please so I don't think that would be a good fit (can't think of a dog it would be a good for) unless you wanted a liability for a dog instead of a well balanced and obedient dog. Probably felt a bit akward leaving in the middle, but what else could you do? I'm sure you will find a class that is good.

Seems to me that you did the right thing by leaving.

dont give up on the classes you wiull find a good one. its great socialisation for the dog. hope you find another let us know how you get on