Trainer called my dog spoiled jerk!!!!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Granted, Jack is very spoiled, eats the best food, has a lot of toys, has a lot of everything, but I demand excellent behavior from him. I love him to death as you all know, but anyone that knows me in person knows, I am very strict with his behavior.

 

I was talking to another dog mom at training class tonight about getting a dog sitter to stay in my house when I go to  National Jewish Hospital and someone else brought up that our trainer dog sits. I replied that I know that but she only lets them stay outside and that Jack is not been geared toward being outside in the hot sun all day and night. That is when the trainer jumped in and said "oh yeah Jack is a spoiled brat, I am surprised he doesn't have mud boots and a rain coat for going out" I laughed and said out of spite, "well actually he has three different sets'

 

I don't know if she was insulted because I am not using her as a dog sitter or what. She ignored Jack during the class totally, and then when another dog was up in Jacks space and Jack growled at the dog, she sprayed him in the head and said "knock it off Jack quit being a jerk" The dog kept trying to wrestle with Jack and he didn't want him to so Jack growled again and she sprayed him and smacked his nose.

 

I was so upset, not because she said Jack is spoiled, He is spoiled, I know it.. He has however been able to accomplish ever task that has been asked of him and he really does a good job in class. I asked her after class because I am honestly confused. Isn't it okay for a dog to growl at another dog when they are nothering them? Isn't that how they tel them to stop? Isn't that how dogs read each other?

 

I am okay with if Jack growled at a dog as we were walking by, him being corrected and afterwards I told the trainer that, I honestly wanted to know. She back peddled quite a bit and said Yes Jack can say no and he can growl one time. So then I asked her why she called him a jerk if he was doing what is okay, She skated around the answer and I left confused. I am not trying to be defensive of my dog. I am open to correcting him but I am not okay with making him allow big dogs toss him around and him sit there and not try to correct the behavior, That just doesn't make any sense to me.

 

Like I said if the growl was unprovoked or if he was just being aggressive I would be the first one all over his little behind, I don't tolerate that. So what am I missing here?  How is Jack the jerk for telling another dog to knock it off?

 

[Kyoko]

I am so sorry this happened to you and Jack....I sometimes think that some dog trainers totally lacks people skills....may be because they are dealing with animals all of the time and having them to behave the way he/she want them to, they have difficulties dealing with people who can think, decide and have mind of their own.... I started to see similar lack of people skills in Charlie's Rally class trainer and growing irritated. ( Never name calling, spraying water or smack, though) If you are going to continue with this trainer, I would ask for clarification.....

[Jennifer and Jack]

It was not the same class, That class was disassembled and new ones were formed, Some dogs from the old class where in there but not the troubled ones, I thank you guys for your advice, I feel like I hope I learned my lesson to open my mouth better and not allow others to walk on Jack or myself..... I know way better.

 

Thanks again.... I am not well enough right now to travel to classes any further then we were going. Jack is just fine at home, I am going to research more in the training group but he is a decently well behaved dog with good social skills for the most part. I will keep searching, I do want to address this trainer again though since I will see her all the time, in and out of the stores, I am going to need to tell her.

 

Thanks guys...

[Bonnie and Kona]

Jennifer, You have a wonderful companion and are doing a great job caring for him. I admire you for asking for clarification after the class. It's wonderful to be able to vent about this on DK and get the support you need to quit the class and confront the trainer. All in all, you are right, you have a well-behaved dog and will be fine without the help of that trainer, for sure! I'm so sorry this has happened to you. You are dealing with so much right now. My great hope is that you will recover fully and be able to enjoy Jack with a class of great trainers soon.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Jennifer, I agree with what has already been said here about getting Jack out of the class and the reasons why. I just want to remind you that we all have 20/20 hindsight and think of what we should have done or wish we had done in situations after the fact. So don't beat yourself up about that!!  You have a good plan in place for the future! Just keep moving forward.

Jack was definitely within his rights and not being a jerk. If I remember correctly he had a very bad encounter with a larger dog last fall and I'm sure this has affected his comfort level around other dogs too.  He probably feels a strong need to establish boundaries with them to feel safe. This was a very unfortunate situation and I'm glad you are getting out now because it would probably just get worse.

[Sue]

Everything about this trainer is wrong. Get out quick!!!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Karen is so right.  Do exactly as she said and don't question yourself.  My Gracie Doodle is spoiled and so are my adult kids.  That doesn't make them bad people.  We spoil with love but we have always demanded respect and boundaries.  The same goes for Gracie.  My kids have grown into wonderful self sufficient, intelligent and loving adults and have worked very hard in their professions.  Gracie is the "perfect" dog in my opinion.  I spoil her with love and attention but she gives so much more back to me with her attentiveness, love and respect.  She is very well disciplined and no one will ever smack my dog or call her a jerk in my presence and get away with it.  I wouldn't even get into it with this person.  Just demand a 100% refund and move on and don't look back or dwell on it.  It is not worth the anguish!!  Hugs to you and Jack!

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

for what it's worth, I agree with all the excellent advice you have gotten here. No one has the right to smack you or your dog! ...and name calling is like a three year old. Do yourself a favor and get away from this idiot trainer. You sound like a wonderful caring person. Follow your own instincts and give Jack a hug from Connor, Simon and me :-)

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Oh I guess me calling her a BITCH was a little immature than. Lol

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Karen - ditto what you said! BRAVO

I would say "trainer the jerk!"

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

What?!? She calls herself a TRAINER?! She struck your dog on his nose? That BITCH would have been knocked on her rear had she struck my dog. Nobody ever ever should strike a dog let alone not her own.

I would have fired her on the spot. I am sure others were shocked as well!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

You go, girl!!!!!

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Karen said it all!  Don't be to hard on yourself.  Jack knows you love him.