The worst dog in puppy class!

[Jason Wilson]

Monty has been so good in so many ways. If anything I was thinking that the only problem was that he was a little shy and timid. Then we went to our first puppy class! He was the naughtiest dog there by some distance! He played very rough with other dogs, snarled and stopped listening to me, strained on the leash the whole time, bothered other dogs etc. 

I am wondering if I should cancel the class, as he just was not hearing me at all at the end, and I was having to drag him around. He doesn't act like this with other dogs on the street. Any thoughts? 

[Rae]

Hang in there! I promise, it will get better! Rozee was completely and totally out of her mind wild and even the trainer was concerned that we might not be able to keep her. We took the puppy class and then the next two classes and then beginning agility! Top dog in agility! Three months later she got her Canine Good Citizen with a score of 100%! It took awhile but was so worth it and she is now Miss Calm and Sweet Dog! You need to keep a sense of humor and be able to just do what he'll do this minute because the very next minute he will act like he has no idea who you are or what you want! It really does work out. If he gets totally out of control in class just pick him to let him take a few calm breaths and then let him go play. Treats always worked to help Rozee on the leash. However, many times it was one step forward, stop and wait for her to figure out nothing was happening and she might was well come and sit and get a treat. Then it one step forward...you get the idea!

Now that we have the perfect calm dog we got ourselves another Doodle Pup and guess what? One step forward, stop and wait............

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

For all the reasons you described.......are the very reasons you should continue on with classes. A good trainer will guide you now to handle him in class. Stick with it! The end result is sooooo rewarding!

[Laura & Sophie Doodle]

I totally agree. That's the whole point of class! :) 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

My thoughts on training classes is that you are the one being trained.  If you pay attention and learn then you will be able to use what you have learned outside of class.  So, please keep going.  You will both benefit.

[Tracey & Spike]

Oh don't stop!!! Spike was literally put in puppy detention during puppy kindergarten! He was TERRIBLE!! It does get better I promise! Stick with it!!!!

[denise rumbaugh]

haha!  puppy detention.  Too funny.

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

Ditto what everyone else has said...stay in class, take as many as needed and it will get better.  Sometimes it helps if the pup has had a good long walk before class to take the edge off their energy level.  Not so much hyper play but a good walk or game of fetch.  

[Jason Wilson]

Thanks everybody - I probably should have waited a while before posting - I was quite flustered after class. We'll work on our homework this week and try again next time. 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Jason,
Feel free to vent here anytime. We've all been there, and you will find this to be a very supportive group.
Keep up the work!

[Tracey & Spike]

Oh heck!! That's what we are hear for! I seriously don't know how I would have made it through Spikes first 5 months without all of the great support and information from this site! Vent away! There is always helpful suggestions and support to be had! Stick with the training! Trust us it does help! We are in grade two now and my detention prone doodle is now the star of the class. Literally! The other dogs who have gone through classes with us are lagging behind spike now :)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Good idea Jason. I was just looking at your page and it appears Monty is about 10 months old.  If this is his first obedience class, he was probably overwhelmed and over-stimulated.  As others have said on this discussion, you are the one being trained (not Monty).  He will benefit from you soaking in the info and then in turn you will be able to train him correctly.  Working with a puppy on obedience for 10 minutes sessions once or twice a day.  They quickly catch on and then you are not stressed.  Remember, what you are feeling goes right through the leash to your boy and then he in turn will act out.  I would bet in a couple of weeks you will be posting how great and smart your Monty is.  Looking forward to hearing your experiences with him.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would take this as a challenge and practice, practice, practice. If you put the hours in, you will get awesome results.  I would practice at home then expand to other places like the pet store and the park. The more you socialize and work with him, the better it will get.   So what is the worst thing that can happen?  He won't make the correct progress and have to re-take the  class!  So what.  Truly, if you put in the hours and hours of practice needed, you will have Monty acting great! Become the STAR.