Need advice for tomorrow

[Vivianne]

Help me out forum. My pup starts obedience class tomorrow 2/6. I’m planning to attend with my friend who lives at the house with me. We’ve had problems with Madison (the puppy) taking correction from my friend. I don’t take any tom-foolery from Madison, she knows it and minds me. My friend doesn’t have the strong character or deep enough voice to sound imposing to Madison. I’m latin so it comes easy.
Here’s my question; should I have my friend do all the training during the obedience class while I stand aside as an observer OR when I’m reinforcing her training during the week at home should my friend do the training then?

[KattOK]

I'm no expert .. so you may get different opinions. But during my first obedience class, there was a couple there that had the same problem. The teacher had one get up and do the exercise, then the other would get up and repeat.

[Judy Chrusch]

If your friend lives with you and will be a part of your dogs life then I say you both need to do it together. Ask your trainer if you both can participate and take turns or how ever you decide to do it but the dog needs to respect you both :D. Your friend is gonna have to get a strong personality and not take any undesirable behavior. Right now your pup is young but when she is full grown you want control. So see what arrangements can be made with your trainer then go from their but your friend has to equally be a part of Madisons life for it to work. I hope this helps.

Judy

[RottiMomCT]

My hubby and I both attended obed classes with our Ben, until he (Ben) and I decided we wanted to continue into obedience matches (hubby has no interest in that...:( ) to hopefully get our CD title this summer.

I found that if both of us attended classes, Ben was more likely to readily accept both of us as Alpha and not try to push us around at all. Ben takes corrections withour any guff or talk back, and he is good with recall for both of us.

I have shown hubby how to use the hand signals and body postures we now use and he works with Ben on occassion as well.

Both of you should go to class together if that's possible, if not, you can teach your friend what you've learned and the two of you can train at home.

Good luck!! BTW - LOVE the name Madison - it's my hometown in CT!!:D

[Vivianne]

Thank you all for your replies. Madison started puppy kindergarten yesterday and she’s a very good student. I did get a little pissed off at the trainer who sent my friend away during the session claiming that “she would be a distraction to Madison and the other dogs.”

The trainer did ask me to get my friend back when a portion of the training involved her talking to us about various subjects pertaining to the dogs training at home, so I forgave the trainers rude indiscretion. I’ll keep the forum updated on her and our progress. :)

[Judy Chrusch]

Vivianne, I don't buy that, you tell your trainer your friend has every right to remain in class either watching or participating. She lives with you therefore needs to know what and how to train. As far as distractions, your dog will not always be in an ideal situation where she won't have any distractions. We had mannnny people just sitting in on our class and believe it or not none of the dogs had a problem with it. When they are fully trained it doesn't matter where they are or who is around they must ALWAYS listen. I sat in and watched when ours was in his first phase of training and if he looked over or appeared to not pay attention bc of me my husband taught him to watch him, using the command, "watch me". So you tell your trainer that you're both going to be their and that you both WANT to be a PART of her training :D. Best of luck to you and Madison :D. How much experience does your trainer have, how many years?

Judy

[KattOK]

I agree totally with Judy. Does the trainer think your roommate is going to leave the room everytime you give Madison a command at home???

[Vivianne]

Originally posted by Judy Chrusch
Vivianne, I don't buy that, you tell your trainer your friend has every right to remain in class either watching or participating. She lives with you therefore needs to know what and how to train.

YOU'RE SO RIGHT!!!! What was I thinking or NOT. :( I was so let down by the trainers comment, I didn't think past how awful my friend was feeling. :( I've sat in many an obedience class myself.
I don't remember telling the trainer that my friend lives with me. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt until next week. I'll get their earlier and talk to her again. If she doesn't accept my terms next week I'll pull Madison from the class and find another one.
I don't want to sacrifice Madison's training by what happened but maybe this woman may have excellent dog skills and needs to work on the people ones.
Thanks again Judy For setting a fire under my ---.
You're so right!

[WorkinDogz]

I would have understood your trainers position if you had multiple DOGS enrolled (they do tend to pose more of a distraction during the teaching phase) but a person?????

Nah.. Talk to your trainer and tell her that OTHER TRAINERS don't get her logic ;)

[Judy Chrusch]

vivianne, remember who owns the dog and who's ultimately responsible for her when the training is done so your friend has to have just as much to say and do as you. Now don't go gettin in any arguments with this trainer just politely talk to he or she and tell them you want this to be a joint participation:D and that raising Madison to be a good representation of the breed is your utmost and ultimate goal:D and to do that you must all work together in harmony :D :D. If ever their is anything that displeases you in class ask them about it, don't leave mad or frustrated if their is something that doesn't quite make sense, it may after it's discussed and explained to you ;). Always go with your gut, it's usually right in the end, so stand up tall, don't develop an attitude and happy training :D. And tell your roomate to stay tough and not wimp out:D. There will be frustrating times during all this but in the end, approximatley 3 years from now, LOL, you'll see the end result :D. Stay patient, consistent and always remember repetition.

Judy