So Bad At Obedience Class (Cry)

[mercedes]

I am so dissapointed. Mercedes had her first time of "learing" in class tonight and she was so bad. All she kept doing was smelling the ground and not paying attention. Then, at the end of class, everyone introduced their dogs, and no one wanted to come by us because she was so bad. I feel like crying right about now.

[lblax]

i guess what do you mean by bad was she aggressive or something or just un attentive???? dont get discouraged it will come some are just tough nuts to crack

[Miabella]

Sniffing the floor, looking away, and turning her body can all be used as calming signals when the dog is stressed, and if you become upset with her for being inattentive, she will become more stressed. Next time, try being really upbeat. YOU can also send a calming signal back to her by yawning.

[frontierrots]

Good Lord. Her first night at class and you are upset about her inattention???

We teach classes here at work and the first two weeks with dogs (classes are 6 weeks, once a week, week 1 no dog) are always horrible and we tell the people they will be and to just work through it the best you can.

Work her stdiously in her homewor and next week she'll be a bit better. Some dogs it takes all 6 weeks to get good at behaving in class. As long as the dog works for you when not at class remember.. the classes are to each YOU to train your dog. the classes do NOT train your dog. In the upper levels classes provide needed distraction but for beginners just do your homework and do your best!

[Burnsway]

Next time, try being really upbeat

Yes upbeat and its ok lets roll attitude. My favorite advice......:D Should learn to take it myself......:o

Who cares what others think......:p She was a bit stressed and coped in a way she knew how. This isn't a crying moment for you.....this is a moment to open up the mind and learn and understand your dog and her behavioral signals......;)

Let us know how next week goes and there better be a next week or I will trade Mercedes for Psyche for next weeks class and you will beg for Mercedes back.......:D :D :D

[mercedes]

I was just so upset because all of the other dogs were scared, so they were really good with sticking by their owners. Mercedes was so unattentive and she tried to bite one of the bigger dogs that was there because her came up behind her and scared her. But, I dont think that was her fault. The trainer took her for a demonstration because she was the only one that was allowed to wear the prong collar (rest wore gental leaders) The trainer kept correcting her and she kept yiping and she got so scared that she layed down and curled up in a ball.

I dont want her to think that these classes are bad, and I think that she might because she got "hurt". I just dont want her to be that bad next week.

I guess it was a little hard for me too because this was my first time with this kind of experience.

[jenkins]

I have my first formal Obedience class Saturday. I wouldnt get down on yourself or the dog. It was a new experience for both of you. Good luck on your next class. Let us know how it goes.

[Boomer97]

Question? Why was she getting a collar correction the first night of class?



Keith Jenkins

[Miabella]

Originally posted by mercedes
Mercedes was so unattentive and she tried to bite one of the bigger dogs that was there because her came up behind her and scared her.

The trainer took her for a demonstration because she was the only one that was allowed to wear the prong collar (rest wore gental leaders) The trainer kept correcting her and she kept yiping and she got so scared that she layed down and curled up in a ball.

Holy crap, no wonder she shut down. I would not let that trainer touch your dog again. Harsh collar corrections have no place with an untrained puppy. She has no idea what is expected of her, jerking her around until she is yipping is terribly unfair. I would demand my money back and look for a better trainer.

I feel bad for both of you!

[moondog]

I'd like to know that, too. And why was she corrected to a point where she felt the answer was to roll up in a ball? Classes should be FUN, for her and for you. If they are not, you are in the wrong class.

[Judy Chrusch]

That was typical behavior for a dogs first day in OB class . Perhaps you should have attended a few classes with Mercedes just to watch before you signed her up then she could watch and become more familar with the class that way but if you expected her to do as the others like she's been their before then you are sadly mistaken. I would of taken her aside and let her watch if you thought she was that bad. My guess too is she was picking up on your emotions and became as upset as you.

Work with her at home to pay attention to you and what you say. Have you done anything with her at home prior to this class???

Gee I hope the trainer had experience working with a prong.

Judy

[jenkins]

I was posting when you mentioned the prong collar. This is the first class, what was she doing with a prong collar on your dogs neck? At that point I would, grabed my dogs leash and got the hell out of there. How is the dog suppose to enjoy class if it terrified. This was a new thing for your dog, and it was already a little weary of the enviroment, and then the instructor makes the dog yelp and curl up into a ball. I would of stuck that collar around the trainers neck and ask her something in chinesse, and if she didnt respond i would of correct the crap out of her....

[lblax]

it is totally wrong to correct a dog before it has been taught and learned a specific task..... i would look into other classes or have a talk with the trainer if this is his method, run!!!!!

[LynnS]

Hi Mercedes

First of all it is really common for your pup to be inattentive in a new environment as others have already said. My girl has been in many different training environments and it always takes a while to settle in (less as they mature AND know what is expected of them)

I know you are using a prong to walk Mercedes but I would NOT use that in class. The idea is to first teach the behavior using very positive methods (especially with a puppy)...

What excercises was the instructor trying to teach and how did she tell you to teach them? It makes me cringe that the instructor was using such harsh correction methods on YOUR puppy. That is awful.

[Judi W]

Don't blame the trainer for the prong. It was not the trainer's recommendation. Also, the discussion about when corrections are appropriate was already made on her "hail the........" collar thread.