Obedience School - who should be the principle trainer?

[Sandy]

We started Grade One of obedience school on Friday, and Toby was, well, not the star of the class. I posted a blog about it - let's just say my arms are still recovering. I was thinking - would it be more beneficial if my husband, who is bigger and stronger, were the principle trainer in class? Maybe Toby would get more out of it more quickly that way. Or should I stay principle trainer, so he learns that everyone, even the smallest person in the house, is the boss over him? We are working on our training concepts every day - I've drawn up a chart to check things off in boxes so we don't forget to practise anything. :)

[Adina P]

I think YOU should do it because it's harder for you. It's not brawn or size that trains a dog, anyway. I think your original reason for being the principle trainer (being smaller) is a great one.

However, it is a good idea to sit down with your family and make sure everyone (hubby included) is on the same page as far as commands, rewards, consequences, discipline etc so Toby gets the same message all around. One person can't say "SIT" and another "Can you Sit, sit sit?" -- you need to use the same words and hand signals, etc. Toby SHOULD be willing to obey all the family but I personally don't care if my dogs obey others beyond my family.

[GBK]

I agree, it should not matter how big you are to how well your dog listens to you. You should continue how you are and continue making sure all in your family know what the dog is learning and his training words.

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

I think you should be the trainer. They bill obedience classes as being for the dogs but they're really to teach US!! The dog learns in the process and that's just a bonus. LOL so hang in there. My first night of obedience with Lucy my hands were literally RAW - so raw I had to wrap with guaze for several days while they healed. The instructor recommended a leather leash (which i bought) and noticed a HUGE difference the first time I used it. BTW, there IS hope. By the end of the class Lucy passed her Canine Good Citizen's test! You and Toby are going to be GREAT!!

[Stella]

By necessity, I did most of the training in class as Dave is often at work when we have classes. But, I always showed him everything we learnt to make sure we were both practicing the same way. When he could come to class we took turns to practice each thing, and for us that worked out well too. It sounds like you are the one who spends the most time with Toby - at home and exercising him - so it should probably be you who does the majority of work. That is how it is for us, I do most of the walking, feeding, training etc, and I did most of the classes on my own. But, we did practice togather (Dave, me, and Hartley!!) whenever we could. It worked out pretty good, and most of the time he listens to both of us. But, I knew he was going to be a big dog and I'm only 5foot 2 inches, so I knew I needed to have the most control (even if it was just psychologically for my own peace of mind). If you can control him in the class with all of its distractions, then it is more likely that you will be able to control him in many other different situations too. Keep your training sessions short and fun, include playtime,.... oh, and in class I used cheese (only for classes - special treat!!!) to ensure I had his attention!

[Sandy]

I am 5' 2" as well! :) It was suggested to us that we use cut up chicken weiners for the next class. I use cheese the odd time at home, so that would be something new. John watches all of the training in class from a chair at the side (as do all spectators), so he knows what we need to do at home.

[Stella]

Zukes training treats are pretty good too, they do several different flavours and are small enough that you don't have to worry about making your dog fat! Hartleys most favourite treat was liver, he would do anything for it. But, after a long time of playing around with his food we realised it was making him sick (bad diarrhoea and hot spots) and we had to stop using it. That is when we turned to cheese!!

[Debbie and Thomas]

In one of our classes, my husband Jack came in and stayed for the discussion period(this is when all of the pet owners are asked if there are any problems with their dog that they want advice on) Well-Jack left after this to go to "Starbucks". Our dog pulled at me trying to get to the door and barked the entire time he was gone and would not participate in any of the training lessons. I called my husband on my cell phone and asked him nicely to please return to the class. He came back in a few minutes and we carried on and the dog was happy and went on with the training. Up until this day-I went alone to the training classes and came home to teach the rest of my family what we had learned. Now-my husband sees that he has to go with me even though I am the one teaching the commands to the dog. It is great that your husband goes too!! Even if they just watch-they will see and learn like we are. BTW-our trainer also suggested using cut up chicken weiners for a special treat.

[Gail & Max]

Maybe you should consider using a prong collar....there is a discussion posted about them....and honestly its a god send when it comes to Max.....Especially with squirrels and birds out when we walk. But its probably a good idea if you are the one that trains him...I know Max listens to my husband better than me so I was the one that took him....but I have found that some days you just have to be a Hard Ass with them to make them listen....WIth the prong collar, we left it on all of the time and we left a leash on all of the time and we corrected him whenever we caught him being bad....this worked for us....