Frustrated !!!

[Karen P]

Today I took to Chewie to an animal shelter event and it did not go well. There were lots of other dogs which means tons of distractions. First of all, I know that a fairly well trained dog in my home is not the same as a well trained dog in any situation. But today it was like Chewie had never been taught any commands at all. It was really pretty embarrassing. He would not even sit for me. It was like he was in another world. I got so frustrated that we did not stay very long. I believe that we are supposed to take him out in public to train him to listen with distractions, but how do I train when you cannot get his attention??. We have been to puppy class and just finished a basic manners class that he did very well at. He is only 7 months old, so maybe I am expecting too much? Thanks just wanted to vent.

[Antonia]

Holiday Inns allow dogs. Also, if you scrape your pennies, almost ALL four and five star resots allow dogs because the movie stars and some wealthy clients demand it. We had a wonderful cross country trip alternating between Holiday Inn and resorts.

[Karen P]

Laci, I like the way you put that "split" personalities !! It fits perfectly.

[Holly Doodle]

I feel your pain also. Matt and I have decided that Holly has split personalities when she is around a large group of dogs. Our last obedience class was very large and there were a lot of unruly dogs. She immediately picked up their energy and became deaf to commands she had known for a long time. We felt the same way, how do you train when you can't get their attention?? It was frustrating but thank goodness they behave much better at home and at other public places :)

[Karen P]

The event was at our local Expo Center. But still plenty of "inmates" !!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Oh, We have been to several events at the shelter and it made our dogs nervous to hear the barking. I am sure that the dogs in the shelter transmitted their anxiety and stress even though those events were terrific, well planned etc. I misunderstood Karen.
PS the humane society event at the park (where we met Clancy - whoopee) was huge with at least five hundred dogs which could be stressful too but not in the same way. Clancy was so calm just walking around the park with the volunteer, I should have realized then that he was a very laid back doodle.

[Adina P]

Nancy this was a shelter 'event' not sure it was at the shelter proper or near the 'inmates'

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

None of mine behaved when we took them to the shelter. They can just feel the 'inmates' stress.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Webber was 2 years old in November. He still, on occasion, goes deaf in Petsmart and doesn't do a think I ask him to because he is not paying attention. And I can't get his attention unless I have treats in my hand. He has been through obedience training and is a certified therapy dog...and not a puppy anymore. There are just times when they don't listen. Try again, in a less busy place. Go to a quiet corner and have Chewie sit, lay down, shake hands...what ever. He will come around. He's still young. Make it fun.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh do I feel your pain. This is how it always went when we took Guinness to the grand kids' soccer games. There were tons of people and kids running around, and they all wanted to play with Guinness. We would practice...and practice at home, and he would be great. Then we'd get to the game and he completely forgot his manners (and all that training). Now he's a year old and things are way better...but not totally. I can take him to many more places and he behaves himself, but throw a bunch of dogs and energetic kids into the mix, and it becomes a real challenge. This from a dog who passed his CGC and is set to take his TDI test in two weeks. I can only advise not to get frustrated, and just keep taking him to places where there are tons of distractions. Eventually he's going to "get it".

[Karen P]

Thank you everyone for the encouragement. I guess I was expecting way too much from him. He is so good at home that I expected him to be better with more distrasctions. I will take "baby steps" from here so that I am not so frustrated and he can slowly succeed. Thank goodness for Doodle Kisses. It is an excellent resource!!