Training orientation

We got pulled up at the end of the canine training class yesterday.
Instructor asked me what activity I wanted to do with Nifty because she’s not progressing in the basic class anymore. We have been invited to the advanced obedience but I can’t make the class as it clashes with work hours.

I initially enrolled at the club to attend the puppy classes for socialization. A month later we were promoted to basic training but true to staffies, Nifty is smart and a quick learner so progressed quickly through the exercises.
I like to go weekly as it gives Nifty contact with other dogs (unless I seriously need to consider a canine friend at home ? -> another post to follow).

Nifty would be no good at flyball as she doesn’t play much with tennis balls.
I think she’s a bit young and not really moulded for agility.
There is another obedience branch but the instructor is not really someone easy to get on with. For him, the only dogs worth the time of day are border collies though he will make an exception for australian collies. He openly told me that Nifty would never do what his 7month border collie does because of “what she is” = not a Border collie

Anyone got any ideas ?
I’m a bit of a loss as to what to do next.
I can stay in the same class but it is true that, without modesty, we outshine the rest. The class can also be big (there were about 20 dogs yesterday) so instructors would be better using their time for others ...

Dilemma!

I Don much like the sound of the other trainer & if we're me, I'd avoid him like the plague. Staffords can & do learn well in obedience!

I wouldn't start proper agility until a) you're absolutely confident of her recall with other dogs & a high energy environment and b) she's a minimum of 18 months old.

As you're considering spaying, I'd wait until she's fully over that, anyway.

What you could do in the meantime is make a couple of agility obstacles in your garden - weave poles, tunnel, very low jumps,ie only high enough for her to pick up her feet.

You could also get a decent book & do some training yourself, until you can progress further? Turgid Rugaas is brilliant & she has several YouTube videos that are good to watch.

My starting point would be to ask what it is you want to get out of training, in other words what's the objective for you rather than for Nifty. If it's a social thing, then forgetting that you outshine the others ( ) and staying in your current class might no be the worst option. Your trainer might be able to think of ways of adding the occasional challenge for you to keep it stimulating.

If it's because you think Nifty has some gaps in her education, then identify those gaps and look at which of the options would fill them.

Agility - it can be great when she's ready for it, but I would check any classes out first. They can be super competitive and with very high energy levels that aren't always beneficial to the dog.

Home training always gets my vote if you're after cemeting the bond between you and your dog. There are so many different things to try, from clicker to more advanced obedience to really fun things like heelwork to music.

Another thought is to look at other canine activities and sports. There are things like tracking, canine orienteering, canicross... it might be worth looking to see if there are any clubs of less common disciplines near you.

If, though, you just want a happy, well balance, reasonably obedient and well socialised dog, I'd say you've probably got one already.

LizP wrote:
If, though, you just want a happy, well balance, reasonably obedient and well socialised dog, I'd say you've probably got one already.

I think this more or less sums it up really. The obedience can always be improved (especially during staffy selective hearing  ) but yes, I essentially want a happy dog that I can confidently take places without a worry. Canine classes also take Nifty out of home environment so it’s a change of scenery for her, and for me at the same time.

I’ll have a chat with Saturday instructor and see what we can do to add a bit of variety. Sometimes I have to take the lead off and do the whole class without, that can be a big challenge
Maybe see if I can slip out of work earlier to attend other nice obedience class but that won’t be easy on a regular basis.

We must keep on with home training too - you've already given me a few more ideas.

Thank you !!