Monty's first obedience class.

OH MY GOD !!!!!

Firsty, I'm about as 'done in' as Monty is in his cage right now. That was the most stressful 45 minutes of my life

Monty is a VERY exciteable puppy, but I knew that anyway before I took him this evening. There were 10 of us there all together, most of which their dogs were pretty much very well behaved and responded to commands. Monty ... well, that's another story ! He LOVED it being around all the little doggies and all the people making a fuss of him, but there was no chance of him settling in tonight. I may as well of have a choker on him the amount of strength I had to put into keeping him held back. I felt so guilty because he was panting, his snout and his eyes were all going pink because of the tugging him back, but I know this is something he will get used to in time. Bascially, he never obeyed to any command, which I know this wasn't gonna happen. He knows 'sit' very well and responds to it every time in the house because he knows he gets a treat for it. But even with treats tonight he would not sit ! He was too pre-occupied with all his new friends

It was tough. Very tough. I need to get his lead changed as I have a nylon lead at the moment, so need a tougher one, also to be kinder to my hands when I'm holding him back from pulling, my hands are red raw tonight !

I think he enjoyed himself, it was great that one of my friends was there also, so we had a bit of a giggle !

Sorry but

Maybe try a harness, helped when I first got Moo to have more control round the body rather than strangling themselves.

He sure had fun though Xx

Try a softex lead - much kinder on your hands than plain nylon or leather.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Softex-Soft-Twin-Handle-Dog-Training-Lead-4-Colours-/270795381870?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&var=&hash=item84b8448a31

Don't expect too much too soon. BTs are a bit slower to settle in a crowd than many other breeds!

I bet his eyes were popping out of his head with all those pups around him!

He has a harness but he doesn't like it : ( They suggested I get him a choker, I just couldn't !!

janey wrote:
Sorry but
Maybe try a harness, helped when I first got Moo to have more control round the body rather than strangling themselves.
He sure had fun though Xx

A harness'll be no good while he's so excitable, he'll just throw himself into it! I certainly wouldn't use a check chain on him. Shame on a training club nowadays sugesting it!

Caryll wrote:Try a softex lead - much kinder on your hands than plain nylon or leather.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Softex-Soft-Twin-Handle-Dog-Training-Lead-4-Colours-/270795381870?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&var=&hash=item84b8448a31

Don't expect too much too soon. BTs are a bit slower to settle in a crowd than many other breeds!

I bet his eyes were popping out of his head with all those pups around him!

Thanks Caryll, will give them a looksy : )

Yes his eyes definitley were popped out of his sockets, he luuuuuurved it ! .. they told me to give it 6 weeks before he settles in properly and takes in the training, add to that I need to perform the same trainign in the same format at home 10 minutes a day.

Caryll wrote: I certainly wouldn't use a check chain on him. Shame on a training club nowadays sugesting it!

I told her I'm not too keen on the idea of him having a choker, so she suggested part material and part choker collar. Told her no, can't do that either sorry !

He'll settle, Dempsey did. Well, sort of. Occasionally.

I stopped going after about 6 months because he just wasn't learning anything & the classes were too big, he was starting to become agitated by other males.

I took him back just before Christmas. He hadn't been for about 2 years...the first thing he did was launch himself at the trainer's dog & cause absolute mayhem, with half the dogs all joining in!

I left.

Maria. wrote:

Caryll wrote: I certainly wouldn't use a check chain on him. Shame on a training club nowadays sugesting it!

I told her I'm not too keen on the idea of him having a choker, so she suggested part material and part choker collar. Told her no, can't do that either sorry !

I use a half check on Dempsey simply because he can give his head a strange little flick & pulls out of an ordinary collar!

Caryll wrote:He'll settle, Dempsey did. Well, sort of. Occasionally.

I stopped going after about 6 months because he just wasn't learning anything & the classes were too big, he was starting to become agitated by other males.

I took him back just before Christmas. He hadn't been for about 2 years...the first thing he did was launch himself at the trainer's dog & cause absolute mayhem, with half the dogs all joining in!

I left.

Most of the other dogs there were really good, but I'm assuming they are regulars at these classes, I know he will settle in eventually, this is a whole new thing for him, so I understand it will take a bit of time, although I did feel like giving up 15 minutes in !

And oops to Dempsey Mind some of the tiny dogs were going for Monty and Monty didn't like it, he got quit scared lol

Once Monty learns to lay down and roll over on command, I'll leave too

Maria. wrote:Once Monty learns to lay down and roll over on command, I'll leave too

Good luck with that!!!

Did you try taking him for a walk or game of fetch right before class? It could help get some of his energy out beforehand.

sorry but

he is just an excitable little puppy, but it can be embarrasing

it was only his first class. no one expects immediate obedience when they first go. the trainers would ahev expected it from at least someone in the class and it just so happened to be monty bless him. he'll do better next time. he will enjoy the classes and so will you in the end they are great socialisation and you get to meet new people too.

We were given Martingale collars like this when we took Izzy to dog obedience.

http://www.faithfulpetproducts.com/catalog/item/1024346/574646.htm

Maria Samson was the same he did settle after a few classes but not totally i took him to 4 different classes just to do it over again and each time he was better each class was 6-8 weeks long and it was totally worth it

keep it up

Take care of those hands Maria. A thicker leash (some of the wide Rogz ones have cushy fabric) are much kinder. Tyson was atrochious for at least the first month when he started his training. We went to puppy classes (6 classes) when he was 12 weeks and the only moved on to basic formal traing at about 6 months.

Tyson still battles with the temptation to start a game with his class mates. So hang in there and dont feel bad. I can assure you that the trainers have been through this many times.