training class frustration

[laneyandme]

I just need to vent a little.
last night i took Laney B. to her first puppy training class. she's 5 mths old and loves playing with other dogs, so i was really looking forward to her meeting other dogs. of course, Laney was so excited when she saw other dogs. she just wanted to get to know them. but when the trainer showed up, she started talking to the owners and she talked for about 35 min. i had to give Laney almost all her treats just to get her to sit still. it was so stressful! here i was trying to listen to this trainer talk while trying to keep my poor puppy still while surrounded with other cute puppies. then after 35 min. we were supposed to work with getting out dogs attention and healing and stuff. OMG. it was too much to ask! it seemed SO unnatural and i felt bad and stressed. the trainer wasn't bad or anything, but i feel angry that Laney and myself had to endure that stress. not fun. anyway.. hopefully next week will be better. i'm going to call the trainer and tell her my concerns there too.
take care.

 

[Gempress]

I hope next class goes better for you! Maybe since the intro's over, the next class will go faster.

That's kind of odd though. In the training classes I've heard of, there's usually an "intro" session where they ask you to specifically not bring your dog. Then the trainer can talk all they want about the methods and program, and the owners can ask questions. Perhaps you can recommend that to the trainer when you call her.

 

[Doberluv]

Oh gee...how hard that must have been. Yeah...that trainer may change her tack in the future if you suggest that that first class could be done without the dogs. That is too stressful for a young pup. Then it's probably so pent up, it can't concentrate on anything afterward. Grrrrr. Yup....next class will hopefully go better. It wouldn't be a bad idea to take your pup for a good romp in your yard before you go....get some of the ants out of her pants. LOL.

 

[laneyandme]

In the training classes I've heard of, there's usually an "intro" session where they ask you to specifically not bring your dog. Then the trainer can talk all they want about the methods and program, and the owners can ask questions.

Yeah, i've heard of that too and now i can see why! it would have been so nice to talk and get to know the other owners a little bit and hear how it's been with them and their puppies... ahhh!
hopefully next time will be better!

 

[laneyandme]

I DID! that's the thing.. i took Laney for a long walk in the park.. she got to run in the water and play around. i thought it would be good if she were a bit tired for class... the thing is it tired ME out too! grrrr! it was just too much to ask of a young pup. and yep, she was too pent up and hungry after having to sit there for 30min. i think i can still feel the stress in my body this morning. but it helps to hear that other people understand. thanks

 

[aelizilly]

I am curious where you took your course. B/c I took mine at petsmart and that is exactly how the class was structured for Bailey and I. But, being that I have an extremely hyper Beagle, it continued for 8 weeks and continues now. We started our intermediate course last week and go for our second night tonight. We are focusing on more attention to this matter and continue to pray that it gets better. I guess over time I have just learned to deal with it, but I do feel your pain. Hang in there.

Btw, what breed is your pup and how old is he/she?

 

[zoe08]

I took mine at PetSmart. But while the owners were talking with the trainer we just let the dogs that wanted to play, play with each other or toys. We had small classes and we could keep and eye on them.

The first class we had a very hyper yellow lab, a lab/dingo/dalmation mix, and a lab/springer mix that were always playing. I was afraid my beagle would be the hyper one....noooo....she was actually pretty good....she liked to walk around and stuff but didnt get in the middle of the playing too much.

 

[laneyandme]

OMG Bailey is very cute. Laney b. is 5 mths old and she's a dausch/queensland mix. she looks like a small rott/shephard mix. people are always surprised when i tell them her mix. she's got the head tilt thing going like Bailey too.

so the class at Petsmart did the same thing and still does? that would be soo hard for me. after one night of it i was really stressed. i think i'm just going to take it easy and if it happens again i'm going to leave Laney in the car and just go myself.... at least i'll learn something. have you talked with the trainer at petsmart?
take care and thanks for your support!

 

[djatwill]

Over Active Pup

I have an 8 month black lab that we rescued from a shelter. This Dog can not sit still for a second. As soon as she see's another dog her back hair stands straight up and she does not relax until she is playing or fighting with the dog.

Since I knew this was the case I choose to get private lessons at home. I love the training and it helps a great deal but it cost around $120.00 per a 90 min. lesson. If you have the extra money it may be an option for you.


I had no choice. She was to wild to not have professional training and there was no way I was going to put up with trying to control her the entire group lesson.

 

[bubbatd]

I agree that the intro should not be with the puppies. BUT ... if you used up all your treats, your pup was being rewarded for being hyper. In a case like this, I've sat on the floor listening while patting and loving on my pup. I've seen too many newbies, asking their poor pups to sit, heel, etc etc while the trainer drones on and on.

 

[laneyandme]

you sound like a very responsible owner! that's wonderful for you, your dog, and those around your dog. i love that. it's a good idea too. it's nice to know there are many options available. thanks for the feedback.

 

[Jules]

Huh? First puppy class and you worked on heeling?? We worked on sit, down, getting the dog's attention and the basics of stay and wait...we started heeling in intermediate class...isn't that a little too advanced for a puppy class? Especially the first session?

 

[Agility23]

No its not to advanced nothings advanced if you know what your doing.

 

[laneyandme]

i think she would have been okay with anything if she could have engaged the other dogs first... if she could have engaged her surroundings. Laney is quick and intelligent, but she's still a puppy. we were just asking too much of her

 

[Brattina88]

My first puppy class I ever took was at petsmart, and the trainer told us to leave our dogs at home. The next class they played for a while before she showed us how to teach sit, and told us to make them sit for everything instead of setting time aside for 'drill training.' She was an awesome trainer, but I think that's because she trained before she went to work at petsmart. I miss her, and the new trainer isn't as good.