Puppy Classes

Hello everyone.

Well my OH and I are about to start taking Otis to beginners now after he passed the puppy course last week but he have some reservations.

We felt the class was too big - think there were about 7 pups in the class.
It's quite far to travel.
My partner and I are always anxious about the class as they always seem to make us feel stupid. Don't get me wrong I think they have excellent knowledge but there teaching method makes us feel nervous.
Also I don't think the instructor is a particular fan of staffords - in fact she has admitted that.
Another thing was that the owners sometimes would just let their dogs come up to Otis and let them jump all over him before even asking if it was okay! I am always very respectful and ask if it's okay.

I think we may try somewhere else... But as far as we know there is going to be a class of 8 doing the beginners and I feel it would be very hectic! I had to have my eyes in the back of my head in the class...

What do you guys think? Try somewhere else or persevere?

Cheers

What's their training method like? To be honest, I think if you have that many reservations, you should try somewhere else. Last thing you want is someone to teach you/your dog in a way you don't like. Sounds like you can find better classes that suit your way of seeing things

I find what they have to say very interesting and I feel it's right and as time went on it got a little better- but we were still nervous about the class.
The first class we went to they went up to a terrier that was being naughty got hold of it's collar and shook whilst saying no... I found that inappropriate.
I think they want us to be in control of the dog but I do find them a little it's my way or the high way...

Personally, I'd give it a miss then. All humans should be in charge of their dogs because we control all aspects of their lives, so it makes it easier. In the same way that parents are in control of young kids. But you don't have to use any physical means to do that, and that theory of being a pack leader has been disproven, even by the guy who came up with it. I went to a different puppy class ages ago with Loki, and they were telling us to poke the dog in the side if they bark or whatever, I didn't go back after that. No harm in looking around, seeing if anything else suits you better.

Oh god yeah being in control makes all the difference. I haven't used her methods of discipline as at the moment he seems to have a good understanding on a firm no means. Think we are going to look at somewhere more local Cheers for replying just needed to vent my thoughts.

Definitely sounds like you should give it a miss and find somewhere where all 3 of you feel more comfortable and happy.

If you are uncomfortable you should definately look for another class espically since their methods seem a bit antiquated. Is there a specific reason you are going to a class or just basic obedience and socialization?

I've never taken any of mine to a classI just train them at home and find other responsible handlers to socialize with. Nothing at all wrong with a class just saying there are other options

We take him for socialization and obedience with him being our first dog so we were just eager to make sure he got contact with other dogs and get him to listen to us.

Well we have found 3 others in the area and they are closer.
But rang one and got a less than warm reception - but we didn't speak to the instructor so I am not going to be dettered... Think we will be going to watch a couple over the next couple of weeks. I will keep you informed of how we get on... Fingers crossed we find somewhere

otisthestafford wrote:I find what they have to say very interesting and I feel it's right and as time went on it got a little better- but we were still nervous about the class.
The first class we went to they went up to a terrier that was being naughty got hold of it's collar and shook whilst saying no... I found that inappropriate.
I think they want us to be in control of the dog but I do find them a little it's my way or the high way...

No way! they would never tell us to do that in our training class. Its treat training, ignore the bad behaviour rewards the good. tey would never do that to a dog, hope you find somewhere

definitely go with your gut feeling if you aren't happy try elsewhere

If I was you I would try somewhere else. Otis may also be picking up on you not feeling relaxed and prevent the both of you moving forward at the rate your capable of. It should be fun for both of you and you should certainly be made to feel good about what your doing. Write a list of the things you would think the perfect trainging school would have then see which ones tick the most boxes. Good luck and well done to you both for passing the puppy course

We have made progress Tonight we are going to view a class which is a lot closer and from word of mouth sounds good and we are viewing another one tomorrow. Hopefully one of them will entice us. The most important thing for me personally is viewing the class and the dogs to get an idea of how good the class is. I don't want to just jump in this time - made that mistake!

I was slightly gutted as the one which was right on our doorstep is full and we would have to go on a drop out list or wait till September!

otisthestafford wrote:We have made progress Tonight we are going to view a class which is a lot closer and from word of mouth sounds good and we are viewing another one tomorrow. Hopefully one of them will entice us. The most important thing for me personally is viewing the class and the dogs to get an idea of how good the class is. I don't want to just jump in this time - made that mistake!

I was slightly gutted as the one which was right on our doorstep is full and we would have to go on a drop out list or wait till September!

Great news - hope you find one suitable

I hadn't seen your post before but from what you'd said about the classes you took I would have definitely said to try somewhere else. They should have welcomed you no matter what breed of dog you had and made you feel at ease not awkward. Also shaking a dog to teach it no? I struggle to see how that's gonna help!

I have just finished a class and it was brill, not only was the technique very good (IMO) but the guy was nice and friendly and always positive no matter how bad your dog was doing that day. I really enjoyed it and couldn't wait to go each week, where as it sounds like you were more like dreading it!!

I hope this one is better for you, do let us know.

Go with your gut, if its upsetting you then it will be upsetting Otis too I'm sure you will all be much happier somewhere you feel welcome. keep us updated.

Thanks everyone
Don't get me wrong here, but the original class the instructors were very biased to a particular breed and were very much into doggy dancing which is absolutely fine... They were all too quick as well to pounce on us when Otis wasn't having a good day. We always felt oh god he needs to be able to do this for tonight... It was quite stressful to be honest, to the point where I refused to anything with him and let my partner do it Anyways looking forward now
He was definitely upset during the lessons because he would never walk properly!

Well I have another update - We went to watch another class tonight, the lady who took it was lovely, calm, pleasant and the dogs were amazing they did everything they were told; even when they didn't get it spot on the lady was very supportive. There were only 4 in the class and had no problem with the fact otis is a staff They use clickers and I think the lady has a qualification in dog training. It's also you pay per lesson which is good.

We also called the lady who is on our doorstep and it turns out someone has already dropped out of the class so we can go to that one next monday and she is sending some info in the post So I am really happy that we can get Otis back into training and socialising.

Great news

Another update
We have now viewed both classes and they are brilliant.
We got there and we were very apprehensive as all the dogs were outside of the centre having a good sniff and saying hello to eachother which I thought oh god I hope Otis is okay with all this. But he seemed to get stuck in and say hello in his own cautious way. There was a big dulux dog there called Bryn who he seemed to take to very well and a little bit of a waggle of the tail happened
It was a very good class and the instructor was brilliant - Kept the class under control and it was a calm atmosphere even though it was busy. So pleased we have managed to secure a place in the club and it's literally 5 mins down the road instead of 30!!

That's brilliant, glad it went well and it's always nice when they get to have a sniff and say hello

Sounds great and sounds like Otis will thrive!

I am hoping it will help him with meeting other dogs because I do get the impression he isn't sure sometimes. But the meeting is supervised by the instructors and doesn't cut in to the lesson which is also great