Has anyone ever quit obedience classes?

[Sandy]

We have been attending Grade One obedience classes with Toby. We are a little disappointed. We have indeed learned some valuable things, but feel like we aren't progressing. He does not perform like he does at home when we are in class. The instructors seem to look at him and assume "big dog, a little unruly, solution - gentle leader." There is SO much information in the time we're there, and then when you're trying to control your dog AND listen, and it just seems so overwhelming. I'm wondering whether we'd do better in a smaller class environment. I guess I'm just feeling somewhat discouraged, and tired of people thinking we can't learn things. Last week he wouldn't even do "down", and they wanted me to pull down on the leash, and "help" him into a down, even though he drops on a dime at home. "sigh"

[Sally Rollins]

I quit our class, it was way too big, about 45 dogs and she did not demonstrate with a dog, just a pretend dog, and you could not hear her because it was outside and very windy. My dogs did the same thing, they would do the down at home but not at class. Plus our instructor did not come around and help. So, we are trying it alone until I can find someone to help us. I did ask this retired K9 policeofficer who is now retired, but he did not want to do it. The greatest thing about the class was the socialization my guys got from it. Plus my husband did not agree with the way she would tell you to tug on the dogs neck. Hope things go well for you, remember things will get better as he matures and you and the doodle bond more. They do want to please you.

[Connie]

I was certainly tempted to quit obedience class! Reily was 6 months old when I took him and he was a total maniac. For me the discouraging part was knowing that he acted up so much at the class and knowing how many things he did great at home. We stuck with it and he actually "graduated" and did quite well at the end of the class. I think the exposure at the class is well worthwhile. The only way they are going to get used to behaving well around other dogs is exposure.

I think you should just hang in there, Toby will do just fine. Just like we don't give up on our kids when they don't do things at the same pace as another child, we need to hang in their for our Doodles! I know for me it was my wanting to show off Reily's skills, and certainly not wanting anyone to think less of him - I finally decided that I had to change my attitude and not worry about what others thought about my special boy.

Connie

[Sandy]

There are about 12 dogs in the class, one "floor" instruction with a head set, and four others who walk around to help us. People are encouraged to sit along the wall of the class to watch, and they are allowed to eat, etc., which I guess provides good distraction for the dogs, but at this point, I don't need that kind of distraction. :)
Toby is very food motivated, and I bring treats he doesn't get any other time, but really, he's mostly interested in socializing at class. And socializing is something they don't allow at the Grade One level - they say that to show proper leash respect, each dog must stay with its owner, not go sniffing with other dogs. There is no off leash time in this class.

[Sandy]

The dog park is half an hour in the other direction from our classes, so that isn't an option. We will be trying to tire him out more before our next class though. The floor space is quite large, but it doesn't feel big with that many people/dogs in there. I think I'll add a little cooked chicken to my treat mix next time for a special lure. :)

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Take heart! Lots of dogs and their people take basic obedience twice and even three times before things"click" at the class. More important is the question others asked. How many people and dogs per instructor. Does the instructor seem knowledgeable? Do you agree with what they are teaching and how they handle the class. Sometimes the instructor and dog owner are just a poor fit - just like with certain teachers when you were in school.

You say your dog "drops on a dime" at home, so I am assuming you are both learning something. It is totally typical and normal that your dog is less attentive at class, both of you are distracted. Pulling down on the leash is an accepted technique for refocusing your dog on the down when he is distracted. If you prefer to lure him with a treat that's okay too, he's YOUR dog!

Please don't worry so much about progressing. I once had the only Siberian Husky in a class of English bulldogs. He (and I) were ALWAYS picked as the as the Goof Ups. Big surprise - ten English bulldogs and one Siberian Husky. We both survived to tell the tale and I learned some interesting things from the class. One of the things that I learned is that it was very efective to carry a very very large (think Sunday roast size) piece of treat around to keep my goofy 12 month old husky's attention. Looks a little odd - but worked great! Whatever you do keep with these classed or some other, you will be glad you did, even if it is a little ( or a lot) frustrating at first.

[Sandy]

They are knowledgable people. They run a very large, very successful dog training facility. Just, for some reason, I am not having any fun at this class, and that is probably translating into poorer results than I'd like. I think I'd like more positive reinforcement, and less negative feedback. That would help.

[Chris & Boys]

My vet offers training classes. There are only five of us in this class, I think the max they allow is five or six. This is the only way I would suggest to take classes. They know your dog and all his quirks and strong points. Our trainer is a tech there, so she already knew him before classes started. They get a ton of one on one attention and encourage you to call with questions. They are fantastic. This is what you should be looking for in a trainer, especially for the the first couple of levels. Only you know if you should quit, but why, if you have already paid for it. And it is no doubt, a good opportunity to socialize, so if nothing else you can at least reap those benefits.

On the gentle leader *(gl) I gave into to using it, and am really glad I did. I have seen a hug improvement in no time. Now what I am starting to do is have him wear both collars, and halfway thru the walk, take the gl off. I will continue to ween him off of it until he no longer needs it, regardless of how long it takes.

I would also seek out other DK members in your area to find a good trainer in your area. Good luck

[Kim]

We quit the basic obedience class. We went to the Puppy Socialization class, and learned quite a bit. We then started the basic obedience and the trainer had all of these new people in that class (who should have been in the puppy socialization class) so we were learning the SAME THINGS every week!!!! We were so bored. So we did end up quitting. Now our dog goes to Doggy Daycare at the same place!

One thing I should tell you is that she didn't want us to bring any type of harnesses to class because she says that deters them from learning. She hoped that all could learn just by collar and leash - but suggested to us that we get a choke chain - because our dog just doesn't like for us to be the leader!!! I do use the Gentle Leader at home though now!!!!!

[Sandy]

That is somewhat the same as our class. You don't HAVE to have attended puppy classes to go to Grade One, so some of these dogs have never been to class before. And at least with Toby, it doesn't take more than one other excited dog to get him going too.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Hi Sandy,
As of today I have trained 8 dogs all different types of breeds (Poodles,Shepherds, Husky's, Shar-pei's, Shih-Tzu's,Brittany Spaniel, Rotties and now Doodles),. One thing I have learned from training and is really important, some dogs when they hit about 7 months till about 12 months of age, they go through what I call the "I'm stupid stage". They will do what they want, if you tell them to sit, maybe they will, maybe they won't. I'ts like teaching a 2 year old. I also think Jane gave some really solid advice and what I would have said. You also can get a lot of dog show's, like It's me or the dog, you all might laugh, but that is a fantastic show and a lot of what we go through with our dogs. When we train, we should have as much distraction around as possible, this way we know if our dogs are learning and if they will listen to us when we go away with them. We have a dog in our agility class that just will not stop barking, she is fantastic when she is working, but you can't hear anything and we have two trainers. So if I can't hear, guess what, Ummm sorry but I didn't hear a word you just said...please explain this to me, and a great trainer will take the time and explain it again or answer your questions. It is also possible that he enjoys class and thinks he only needs to play there, not do what is expected of him, try getting him not tired but just enough that he is relaxed and will respond to you, you also need to calm down, one thing I have learned and this is also a biggy, what is in us goes through the leash to the dog. If we are feeling fustrated...they do also...if we are upset cause they are not listening...they won't listen even more. I go through this with Hannah all the time, and 9 out of 10 xs...it's my fault. Hannah is neither a food driven, or toy driven dog, so it is 10xs harder for us. She is very keyed into me my feelings, and just learned how she could miss a jump by my miss q's with body language. It does not hurt to give a correction to help them do downs, sit's, or whatever, if your 2 year old went to the stove and reached for a pan, would you not correct them. Give the corrections...you will make it easier on you and Toby, but don't do it if your fustrated. Sometimes you need a time out, so just tell the trainers when you feel this way, we need to be excused for a few mins...Toby must potty...even if he don't take a little walk, and then go back to it. Best of luck, but please don't quit...you might also want to take with the trainers and let them know how your feeling...you are paying for this. Love Denise...Hannah&Honey

[Sandy]

That's a great idea. Next time I'm starting to boil, we'll just go outside to "go potty". Then perhaps he'd be ready to get back at it. He pulls and pulls to get in when we get to the training facility, so obviously he likes to be there. I do with they'd give the dogs some time to play together - I really think that's what they're all itching for.

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

I would quit. Trust your intuition. I prefer clicker training which is totally positive reinforcement, to "pull em down". If its not fun for you it won't be fun for Toby. Training s/b fun. My dogs love it. I suggest you go to www.clickertraining.com & try to find a clicker trainer in your area. BTW Petco & Pet Smart, sometimes have clicker trainers who have attented our Clicker Training Expos & are really good. You have to ask for a clicker trainer & go watch a class. before comitting. Good luck & puppy love from Joy & furry folk