Training School Manners...or the lack there of!

[Liza, Halle and Finn]

Kachi, who is 7 months tomorrow, is now in beginner school, (he's already passed 'puppy socialization class') which means we are now in a class with 6 other potential playmates, only no one is letting him play! This drives him absolutely crazy!! The treats keep him interested, (because clearly, since he's a doodle, he masters the commands immediately) but the "I have to sit still while this training lady does nothing but talk" drives him crazy after awhile. So my normally "easy going, happy go lucky, pretty mellow most of time" guy, about 1/2 hour into class, announces he has had enough, by barking at his fellow classmates, rolling around on the ground trying to eat his leash, etc. He even does his 'look mommy right in the eye, bark so she knows I'm serious, and put her wrist in my mouth ' routine so I know that he wants to go home.

Seriously, I told my husband, "I now know what all those poor parents felt like who had the kids who were really bright, but got into mischief because school couldn't keep their interest!!" I'm like, "If there was a principals office, we would have been sent to it!"

Short of home-schooling, any advice?

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

Puppy classes are more for the owners than the dogs, I think! Maybe tire him out before class by exercising him, or letting him play with other dogs outside the classroom before he comes inside? Ultimately, he needs to learn to be patient, follow your lead and not be distracted by other dogs around him. It's hard when you're 7 months old and full of playful energy ;) You could also reward his patience by giving him doggy playtime outside the classroom right after class, if you can find someone there who'll stay a bit longer. Then he'll associate going to class with fun playtime, but learn that obedience training comes first, and that he must be patient to get his rewards. I wouldn't reward the handbiting or barking in class with treats or positive attention, but you probably aren't doing that anyway. Good luck, things will get better over time !!

[Liza, Halle and Finn]

Yeah, we usually take our long walk before class, but next week, I think I'm going to actually have him go to doggy day care on that day. He is usually so very tired after playing all day with his friends a day camp, that I have been reluctant to add puppy class on top of it all, but I think I'm going to try it.
And as far as the hand biting & barking goes, he gets reprimanded and squirted in the face with my handy spray bottle, but even that doesn't always work when he's bored and cranky!

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

hehe, he sounds like a little charmer with lots of energy... maybe look for a class that has more action and less talk ? We never got to sit down and just listen in our obedience classes, we were always moving around and doing exercises with the pups. I can understand why doing nothing for a long time gets boring! Do you reward him when he's being patient, so he knows that you like that kind of behavior?

[Liza, Halle and Finn]

oh yes, he gets lots of praise when he's patient. And of course, I'm making him sound like he's a complete hellion in class, when he's really not. He's actually very good for most of it, it's just that when he thinks he has had enough, he wants to tell everyone about it, unfortunately!

And I agree, I think we should be moving around a lot more as well. Definitely more action, less talk!!

[Leslie and Halas]

I try to wear Halas out a little bit before we go to school. We also get there early so that he has a little time to socialize with his friends before school starts. He's usually fine, but there are some nights where he just doesn't want to listen.

Maybe ask the instructor if you can do an advanced version of some of the exercises. Like make him stay longer, walk a little further away while he stays, something like that. Just to give your gifted student a challenge.

[Adina P]

I think training IS primarily home-schooling...with lots of field trips of course ;-) Most of the real training Kachi will have is in using what you learn in class and applying it in sessions during the week at home, in parks, downtown, and anywhere a dog is allowed.

My opinion is that training class is for US, the humans, to learn skills and for dogs to learn to be polite despite the distraction of other dogs. Kachi is young, but in time, he should learn to sit still and sit through 'boring talks' even if there are potential playmates. So I guess for me I see no problem with not allowing play. In fact to me this says he needs practice working around and ignoring other dogs and doing boring, long stays without barking or begging for other stuff.

If you have befriended any other doggy parents in class...perhaps some of you can set up play dates at the dog park or other area. Maybe use each other for training practice (as distractions) and end your practice sessions with play.

[Liza, Halle and Finn]

I totally agree that training is home schooling for dogs because we're working on behavioral techniques constantly throughout the week, but the training CLASS is for the dog (and the handler), in the same way that preschool is designed for the for a 4 year old child with a short attention span, and elementary school is designed for a child who can sit still and focus. I believe it is totally unrealistic, and almost cruel, to expect a puppy at 6 - 7 months to sit for long periods without making a sound. As he gets older, he will be able to contain himself, and his energy, just as, full of energy, little boys learn to do as they age. Kachi takes lots of walks, has play dates, and goes to doggy day care, and I'm sure the more he goes to training class, the better he'll get - since let's face it, in 8 weeks, he'll age quite a bit!

[TrevorDoodle]

"about 1/2 hour into class, announces he has had enough, by barking at his fellow classmates, rolling around on the ground trying to eat his leash, etc"

LOL, I just had a really good laugh at this! My doodle is 6 months old and is EXACTLY as you described.
He gets SO bored when the instructor is talking and will roll around and tangle his leash all around himself.
He will sometimes just sit up, look at me, and bark. Like he's saying, "come on Mom-lets do something or go. He doesnt want to "listen", he wants to be "working". I sometimes say he has ADD. LOL.
I really dont have any advice b/c I have the same problem. Just compassion. LOL! Take a spray bottle for the barking, and try to give him a "job" when he starts getting bored. But, that is SO much eaiser said than done.

[Liza, Halle and Finn]

Thank you for your comment! I think a lot of it is their age, even a couple of months will make a big difference in their attention spans!! And as far as the spray bottle, I hang it my pocket, like a gun!! That's funny about the ADD, I've said the same thing, only ADHD. Attention Deficit HYPERACTIVITY Disorder!! Just kidding though, because , he's waaayyy to mellow at home!!

[Leslie and Halas]

Our instructors in puppy class didn't spend too much time talking. It was a one-hour class, with a potty break in the middle. Sometime after the break, they'd spend maybe 2 or 3 minutes talking about grooming, tooth brushing, etc. So that wasn't too bad. We had handouts every week, and those would have some tips, along with instructions for the stuff we'd learned that week. That worked pretty well.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

you are in the WRONG type of training. Your dog needs to be in a class where you are actively training and during this training you are listening to the instructor. Find a new trainer, now, you are wasting your time.

Look for a German Shepard breeder who also trains dogs. I promise you will be thrilled with the training and your dog when done. They are no nonsense trainers, they dont waste time talking while you sit and listen, you will be on the move and your dog will learn.

Also it might help if you fast your dog during the day of training so that he goes in hungry, he will be more interested in your treats than the other dogs. You will have his attention.

[Adina P]

I think you hit on something, Kendra. Wasn't quite clear to me until you mentioned it...but it did seem odd that they were sitting in class listening rather than doing/practicing. Perhaps it's just at the beginning and they will DO more as the class progresses...