Disappointing Day with Vern at Class!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Our dog training class with Vern continued today.  We have already completed four classes and then we had a week off while our trainer was in Florida and it resumed today.  At the end of the last class we had, I had noticed a real change happening with Vern. He was drooling far less, seemed more confident, interacting with a girl dog he seemed to like, much happier, and doing great.  One week off and it is like we are starting over with the nerves.  First of all, some additional dogs have been added to class. One, in particular, almost drove me insane.  It looks to be a black German Shepherd with a very high prey drive and it barked the ENTIRE class. It barked to the point that I had trouble hearing the instructor and of course, he started out at one end of class and then came to stand by Vern and me, and Vern started barking back. Vern very rarely barks in class, but I was this close to yelling, "shut up, black dog!" because I could hardly concentrate and had to continue issuing corrections to Vern to get him to stop barking.

The trainer did address the barking at one point, but basically told everyone the guy is new and his dog is nervous and new and all of us had first day jitters at one point. I was not feeling as charitable as the trainer and even less, when the dog stood by us. Next week, I am making sure to find a different spot. That was problem number one.

Secondly, there is a dog that had been in a previous class with us that is back. The trainer loves to use this dog to demonstrate the commands and then the owner pipes up with how he trained the dog. Almost every single new thing we have to watch this dog perform the task.  Last four classes, all the dogs were at a similar level and we were working them in a circle and then individually. I felt like we were learning each week at the same level. Is it wrong of me to not care about what this other dog knows? I want to help MY dog and not watch another dog perform tricks.

Finally, Vern was back to square one today with nerves. We had bystanders today, which we did not have before. A couple of wives, one other lady, and one small daughter came to watch and stood in the training area off to the side, and Vern was beside himself worrying about where the "strangers" were. Every time one of them moved he growled and I issued a correction and said a very loud, "NO." This is what disturbs me the most. Vern has known nothing but love in his life and no one has ever done one mean thing to him. Yet, every time we see a stranger in a situation like this, Vern growls out of fear or protecting me, I don't know.  I thought at the end of last class we were making real progress because he was approaching people wagging his tail, but today, it all went south. He could focus on nothing, but where those people were standing. Even the most basic commands, which he is excellent at, just seemed to be too much for him today.

I try so hard to remain upbeat with him and normally, he is so eager to please and a joy to train, but today was horrible and I feel very discouraged. Plus, I got a speeding ticket on the way home, which did not help. Vern growled at the cop, too, but that time, I was on Vern's side :)

I really would welcome all comments and suggestions, because I feel very discouraged right now. I plan on talking to the instructor this week, too. Thank you!

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

Laurie, I am wondering how Vern reacts to strangers in general.  Do you think he was just overwhelmed at class today?  My Dolly, who as you know is Vern's cousin in fear, is so happy when she is with us but in a class, shrinks back and cowers.  Our instructor has told us to sit out in public,like in front of a Starbucks or at farmers markets or festivals and when strangers approach to tell us how cute she is (or what kind of MUTT is that!), we give them the treat to give her and thus she learns strangers are nice. It's been too cold and rainy to try it yet so we'll see.   My gut reaction is Vern was overwhelmed.  Also, it would be better to move away from another nervous dog. Finally, Sorry about your ticket.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jeanne, Vern was very overwhelmed. He got in the car and went right to sleep. Once Vern gets to know someone and likes them, he LOVES them, but initially, he is very fearful. I really have trouble when training if someone is walking behind us. The trainer has me heel Vern and then bring him around, which we call a Come around, heel and then come around, so Vern can see behind me, yet concentrate on the command I am giving him. I do this a lot with Vern. It was just so disheartening to see him so stressed again in class. I thought we were getting past that, but I am not giving up. We walk at the park every day, but with the weather, we don't often see other people. I like your Instructor's idea. Thank you!!

Jeanne, Vern was very overwhelmed. He got in the car and went right to sleep. Once Vern gets to know someone and likes them, he LOVES them, but initially, he is very fearful. I really have trouble when training if someone is walking behind us. The trainer has me heel Vern and then bring him around, which we call a Come around, heel and then come around, so Vern can see behind me, yet concentrate on the command I am giving him. I do this a lot with Vern. It was just so disheartening to see him so stressed again in class. I thought we were getting past that, but I am not giving up. We walk at the park every day, but with the weather, we don't often see other people. I like your Instructor's idea. Thank you!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jeanne, I swear I replied to you and now it looks like I didn't. I must be losing my mind. Thank you for your help. I think your instructor has some great idea. Let me know how Dolly does. How does she do when you have people over to your house?

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

You did reply but for some reason (censored?) it isn't showing up above.  We are still waiting for a nice day.  Dolly has gotten less cower-y around people who come to the house.  She does bark/growl at other dogs who come over and are playing with Tura.   She does that at dog parks too.  She does approach people at the dog park and sits to be petted.  But in class, she seems to be especially afraid of the instructor....always seems to know who that is.  Once she is spooked, it seems to go downhill from there.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I knew I replied. I reported this to Adina. Yes, once Vern gets spooked and you never know what it might be, it is downhill from there.

[Pat and Traveler]

I would be horribly frustrated by that training class, Laurie.  There doesn't seem to me to be any reason to let a dog bark constantly in a class--it's rude and disruptive, even if it is a first class for that pair.  I would also hate to have to watch a 'teacher's pet' demonstrate and have to listen to the owner.  Who cares?  Like you, the biggie for me would be growling at the bystanders.  Trav has suddenly started little lunges and barks at people we pass on walks--well, two people, so far.  I just hate this, and want to nip it in the bud.  I said a loud no, and put him in a down/stay, and later he was okay walking by a woman who was just standing, talking on a cell.  I'm feeling frustrated right now, too.  :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Pat, for the sympathy. The trainer told me to issue a correction and a loud "NO" when he growls inappropriately, which I have been doing. I don't like it either, at all.

[Carol and Banjo]

Don't let this week's seeming step back get you down Laurie.....I'd be willing to bet next week Vern will be right on track.   The "Teacher's Pet and Owner" would have irked me as well....and the None Stop Barking GS would have unnerved me to no end!     I hope next week is better for both of you....so sorry about the ticket!!!!      I'm wondering about Vern's nervousness.  Would he behave the same way if you were not present....say if your DH had taken him?    That would be very telling I think.  If Vern's nervousness is strictly when he's with you then it seems it's based on his feelings of pressure to protect you....or "own" you.   That would be very similar to Jane's Murphy I think.   Although their reactions are not exactly the same....the feelings of the dogs may be.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Carol, It is funny you mentioned that, because last week, we took Vern to the vet and he growled. The vet said, " it is like he is protecting you and guarding you," and they took him in the other room and did his exam. They said he was wonderful and did perfectly. Sometimes, in my case, (not Jane's) I feel like Vern does not have confidence that I am the leader. I try to stay very confident and focused and usually, he is so eager to please and is a dream to train, that I really don't feel nervous with him, so I don't know if I give that off somehow or how to change it. I never say, "it's ok," to him to reinforce his fears. My DH did take him to one class and I will have to get his perspective on his training session. I have always felt both dogs listen better to him. It would have been so much easier if these dogs came trained..LOL! Thank you!

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

Just a thought.. Is it worth you hand feeding for a few weeks so you become the leader.
It will get better.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Elizabeth. I have never done that before with Vern. It might be worth a try. Thank you for suggesting this to me.

[F, Calla & Luca]

The first thing is that you should have let Vern eat the cop for lunch. The second is Vern is just like a school kid after vacation. He'll get back in the swing of class. It does take a long time to unlearn these fears.