PUPPY CLASS - Need Advice! HELP!

[BRADY GOOSE MOORE (Mini Doodle]

Last night was Brady's (13 wks)  first puppy class.   All went really well until we were asked to remove our leashes for the dogs to 'socialize'. There are 7 pups in attendance &  Brady is the smallest, youngest (by 2 weeks) and the only one that isn't black in colour.  The largest dog comes bounding over to Brady - sniffing, mouthing a little (happily it seemed) and Brady sniffed, jumped around and growled, then scooted away under a chair.   I lured him back out - the same thing happened but Brady did not let up the growl until instructor picked him up and just let him 'hang there' while she said "thank you", "thank you".   This scenario was repeated again and Brady reacted the same way.   Really upset me as it's the first time I've ever seen him get agressive!  He has met many dogs at the park and has been happy in each situation - he has played with bigger dogs and rolled around happily without a thought to growl.   So, I am thinking this is NOT FAIR TO PUT HIM IN THIS POSITION - he also came home and "zoomed around yard" like a crazed little beast (never done this before either!)   YIKES!    HELP!!  I'm thinking I   should  withdraw from this (not fun) class!  Perhaps Mama Bears little doodle prefers  HOME SCHOOLING - or is it 'Mama" that prefers it? 

[Leslie J]

Cocoa was shy and skittish during her first puppy class- I think she was a bit overwhelmed by the entire experience.  The trainer noticed she was acting timid and said we'll keep an eye on it.  By the second class she was better, and by the third class she was rarin' to go!  I would go again if I were you and give Brady a chance to overcome his fears.

[Becka]

I completely understand your Mama Bear feelings, but I agree with those who have responded that you should continue to expose Brady to other puppies and unfamiliar situations--for both of your sakes. It's our responsibility to do everything we can to raise confident dogs and thereby avoid a world of problems down the road, so I think you should do your best to encourage and praise Brady when he's being confident, and avoid overreacting to his fears. By enrolling him in the class, you've shown that you're committed to Brady's socialization, and you'll both be happier in the long run if you can follow through with it.

[BRADY GOOSE MOORE (Mini Doodle]

Thank you all  for your help and advice with my 'puppy class' question.   I have decided to continue on with the class as I too know the socialization is really important.   This past weekend Brady met a 9 month black  doodle (huge- 85 lbs) !   Huge and VERY gentle and lovely I must add.   They played, rolled around, shared a drink, sticks, ball and spent several hours together.   I will speak with the trainer about my concerns and see how it goes.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It sounds like a good plan! I'm glad he had a good experience with the big guy!! Keep us posted!

[Becka]

That's a great sign--Brady just needs more experiences like that to boost his confidence. The first time Sadie had a play date with another dog (before she was old enough to go to the dog park) she didn't understand how to play at all, and whenever the other dog (a very large, very gentle chow-lab mix) barked at her to get her to play chase, she dropped to the ground and rolled over. She was like one those fainting goats.

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

this just cracked me up..fainting goats..too funny

[BRADY GOOSE MOORE (Mini Doodle]

Brady attended #2 Puppy Class last night.   Once again he was great until "free play" when he again 'REACTED' to the same dog as last week (German Shepherd) with growling and unease.   The trainer interrupted and 'corrected him' (phew - because it scared me).   She then promptly (hurt my delicate little doodle Mama's feelings) by saying he has inherited the 'red = bad temper gene)!   Gee whiz!!!   I told her that   this is the first time he has reacted badly to any dog  - and I might add that he has played with at least 10 dogs of all ages & breeds and met many, many others.  Doesn't matter she said he just 'IS' that way by nature and needs correction.   During the 2nd 'free play' I directed Brady away from the Shepherd and towards the other pups with whom he is fine.   My DOODLE  KNICKERS are in a real DOODLE  KNOT!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Oh MAN!! The NERVE!!!  My knickers are with YOURS!!  It sounds to me like it is just something about THAT dog that causes Brady to react. It could still be a residual from their first meeting. There is obviously a lack of trust on Brady's part regarding that puppy. You know how sometimes you meet someone and instantly don't like them or don't feel comfortable around them? Maybe it is that sort of thing. I agree that he needs to learn not to react so violently but  I'm not sure I could work with a trainer that had summarily judged my doodle to have a RED GENE from these brief  puppy encounters. Do you know her background and training? Is she a behaviorist?

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

Okay, MY knickers just jumped into the fray! And Lachlan's looking over my shoulder and growling! Contrast that to his trainer when a puppy reacts badly to another puppy ... which is to separate the two and give nervous pup a safe space! We had two brand new ones in last weekend's class, both very young, both very nervous, and we were instructed to back our older, larger pups off a bit through redirection when the little ones acted out instead of allowing the intimidation to continue. I'd be FURIOUS if Lach's trainer had pulled that the first day when he backpedaled under a chair to get away from an older, larger puppy!

In my opinion, and only my opinion, correcting him for showing discomfort with another dog's behavior under the circumstances that you're describing will reinforce that he's "right" to be uncomfortable. Obviously I wasn't there to see the body language of both pups, but it's highly unlikely that Brady, at his age, is acting "badly" for no reason ... at least from HIS perspective.

(Red gene? WTD?!?!?!?! I'd seriously be questioning her credentials.)

[Becka]

Wow--that seems like a really irresponsible thing for the trainer to say. What if someone surrendered their dog because they were told by an "expert" that he had the "red" gene. I would be questioning this trainer's credentials as well.

[Mimi Linna, Lilly and Lolly]

yep... I would like to see the credentials...then I would be outa there..guess I am too old for that stuff.

red gene/bullshi*t.

[BRADY GOOSE MOORE (Mini Doodle]

Jen, Becka and Mimi  ~

 

Oh....I just love doodle Mama's!!!     Thanks for writing about Brady's # 2  Puppy Class.   I feel better now (all your remarks have loosened up my 'doodle knicker knots" but I guess until I actually make the decision not to go back it'll still raise my blood pressure just thinking about it.   Do any of you know of a GOOD  PUPPY TRAINING DVD - I could buy?   I seem to have lots and lots of daily opportunity to 'socialize' Brady with other dogs across the street at the park.  Does anyone know if  Caesar Milan offers  a Puppy Training DVD?   I like his philosophy very much but am also interested in any others any of you have found.