Has anyone ever quit obedience classes?

[Sandy]

We have been attending Grade One obedience classes with Toby. We are a little disappointed. We have indeed learned some valuable things, but feel like we aren't progressing. He does not perform like he does at home when we are in class. The instructors seem to look at him and assume "big dog, a little unruly, solution - gentle leader." There is SO much information in the time we're there, and then when you're trying to control your dog AND listen, and it just seems so overwhelming. I'm wondering whether we'd do better in a smaller class environment. I guess I'm just feeling somewhat discouraged, and tired of people thinking we can't learn things. Last week he wouldn't even do "down", and they wanted me to pull down on the leash, and "help" him into a down, even though he drops on a dime at home. "sigh"

[Stella]

During the class, you are always so focused on your dog that you never notice what any of the others are doing. We used to take turns practicing each thing with Hartley in class and then the other one of us would report back on what the other dogs were doing. That way we could reassure each other that he wasn't always the worst one there!!!

[Debbie and Thomas]

Hi Sandy, just catching up after the long weekend. I bet, like your husband says that Toby is doing just fine in his class. I know what you mean though, sometimes in our class Thomas is just not interested. But we do have a 5-10 minute play period before the training starts where all of the dogs get to play under supervision. Then we have a discussion period and each dog owner is asked about any problems or issues they are having with their dog and the trainer will try to solve the problem. Then the training starts. We work privately with our dog and the trainer and her assistant come by once in a while to teach something new or ask us to demonstrate his learned commands. As I said, by this time he gets bored and just lies there. Of course when the trainer comes by, he demonstrates his commands perfectly! I am glad that you decided to keep Toby in the class. You mentioned that he pulls on the leash when you go there because he is excited so I'm sure he loves it. Sometimes, these dog trainers can be "different" to put it lightly-they are very opinionated-so I know what you mean about getting your back up. Hang in there.

[Brenda Boggs]

I have taken Winston, golden doodle, to Puppy Kindergarten where he hid under the chair until the very last class. He did not want anything to do with the other dogs except a Jack Russell. Several of us continued to Puppy Obedience class. Winston went through the "stubborn" stage during class. Of course, the instructor informed me that it was because he was a mixed breed dog. The last class the instructor played "doggie games" and Winston game in 2nd in the down challenge - he was beated by his friend the Jack Russell. CGC class was a different story. I really didn't think Winston could do all of the 10 things a dog/owner have to perform in order to get the CGC certificate. I will say - there were many times I thought about giving up but I am so glad I continued. Winston is still frisky but he knows how to do the basics of obedience. Maybe you need to find another obedience class - does your local Kennel Club offer classes?

[Paula]

$300 OMG Don't quit. I'm sure that if you hang in as the others are telling you that you will find that Toby will have learned things. And surely you can ask for some personal assistance with yours and Toby's specific difficulties. I mean what can they say when you ask; "No" ? I'm pretty sure they wouldn't do that.

[Terri]

Hi Sandy. I'm a quitter! I have 2 doodles, both are approx 3 years old. I have been taking them to a local training center continuously since they were 6 months old. Gus absolutely loves everything about class. He loves the people, the other dogs and the work. I have even had him in 2 classes during the same session. We do mostly obedience and agility. He enjoys the classes and I enjoy the time with him and we just have a good time together. He has earned 2 of 3 legs towards his obedience title. He is a happy dog who loves everyone. We have been asked to assist in the puppy classes and Gus is used as the demo dog because he is so good with the puppies. At 85 pounds and 28 inches he will lay on the floor and let the puppies romp all over him. That's Gus. Then there is Rudy who is a wonderful, fun-loving dog with a huge personality and a sense of humor I didn't know was possible in a dog. He hates going to classes. I took him to 5 sessions. The first 7 week session (Obedience 1) went fine. We both learned alot and he was able to do everything that was asked of him. When I took him to the 2nd session he acted like his feelings were hurt that he thought I didn't think he did it well enough the first time around. He would do opposiites of everything I told him to do. At the time I was frustrated but in retrospect it was quite comical. So I switched him to agility classes. Rudy is very agile. He once ran across the kitchen and pounced onto the kitchen table like a cat. I think he was as stunned as we were when he realized where he landed. But in agility class he acted like he had lead feet. He wouldn't jump over or go thru anything. I didn't give up until 1/2 way thru the 5th session. Rudy knows all of the basic commands and has a very reliable recall. He will do whatever I ask him unless we are in class. There he acts likes there was a little too much in-breeding in his family. He has his CGC and is a certified therapy dog. He is very sociable with people and dogs but he just doesn't like classes. It wasn't fun for either of us and it wasn't necessary after he learned his basic obedience. He is much happier if I just spend time with him on a walk, or going for a ride, or just sitting on my lap chewing his bone. I learned alot from the classes on how to train my dogs and I can train them wherever we are. Gus and I still go to classes and will continue to go as long as we both enjoy it. Rudy is much happier at home and appears to enjoy training when we do it at home, so that's what we do. I just want to enjoy the time I have with my dogs and know that they are happy wherever we are.

[Sandy]

Thanks for typing out a detailed response. Your "inbreeding" comment made me laugh! :) We had Toby at a dog park yesterday, and he was doing recalls from quite a distance, so I know he's bright, and he can do this stuff! I think we will stick out this course, since it's paid for, and I will just try my very hardest not to get stressed in class, because I know that no matter what he does there, he can and does obey me other places. Test day could be embarrassing, but oh well. I'll likely never see any of these people again anyway, right? :)

[Terri]

I agree with you Sandy. You paid alot of money for this class. I'm sure you can learn alot from the trainers or even different techniques from others in your class. You can apply what you learn anywhere and you don't have to impress anyone in your class. When I was taking Rudy to classes I realized I didn't care what anyone thought of us. I wasn't going to stress out my dog to make him do things in class just to satisfy the instructors. I stopped taking him because he seemed stressed and really didn't enjoy being there. It sounds like Toby is having a great time. Learn what you can from the classes, love Toby for who he is and be proud of him, enjoy your time with him, and don't worry about what anybody thinks! Best wishes. You both will be just fine.