Picking your classmates

[Ilovemypuppy]

How important is it that you look over the list of dogs or puppies that will be enrolled in a class that you will be attending with your dog ?

My experience has taught me that it can be a wise move. I feel it should be up to the trainer or instructor (who personally I feel should have a degree in canine behaviour as well) to place participants in classes where the benefits of training will not be effected by a very mis-matched group of attendees.

It may not be as important in puppy kindergarten as it is in Level one and particularly Level Two (off leash hand signalling), but because of certain breed characteristics, there could be disadvantages with certain breed combinations. Beyond helpful distraction in proofing commands, there can be destructive experiences in some cases.

Any thoughts ?

[Rottlva]

I never really gave this much thought as I feel competent enough to read body language and sense if there is going to be an issue with another dog. I have always kept a healthy working distance between anydog and myself, no matter what the temperment. It is only respectful to handler and dog.

I know at my club puppy class is run in levels so that dogs who have been attending regular classes since they were babies can continue to socialize from day one up until they finish puppy three and go in to advanced basic. Those dogs starting late, be it rescues, or whatever go into basic with ON LEASH only work. If recalls are being worked, a long line is dragged. It is not until pre novice work that a dog would go off leash. At that point the handler/dog have either proven competency, or have passed through several lower classses to get to that point.

In my Open class we have 2 very dog aggressive dogs, an aussie, and a pembroke welsh corgi. Both are handled well by thier handlers, and we do off leash heeling, recall work, retrieval work and jumping regularly off lead with no problems.

Know your dogs, respect others space and if there is a real issue, speak with your instructor. A dog with severe issues should be evaluated and brought up to a specific level of obedience prior to attending group lessons.

[Patty1231]

I've never had a problem in my class and each class is specific to the dogs level of training. I have complete faith in the trainer that she can handle ANY unruly dog - or owner. I have no doubt that if any dog in her class were to present a danger or even a detriment to the learning of the others that the dog would no longer be in that class.

[Judi W]

At our club, beyond KPT classes, the classes are for training and any play groups should be done on the owner's time, not class time. There is much to learn.

No, I do not think students should be in the position of reviewing and passing judgement on what other students are going to be in a class. Most groups allow late enrollment, flexible attendence and I've never heard of a student who thought they should be in charge of that. If that were permissible, guess which breed would be invited not to attend? Training classes are often hard to find for all and most students are delighted to have them available. The problem dogs are there for work also and belong to people who want to do the right thing with their dog.

Most instructors do the best they can with a divergent group of people and dogs and of course some people who do not pay attention to their dogs or listen to the instructor.

Other option. Pay for private classes.

[Rott-Wiley]

I don't know what you mean by "there can be destructive experiences in some cases." I only go to work my dog in a class -- we're not there to socialize with the other dogs and I hope they are there for the same reason.

[Jaegergirl]

if you plan to do show in obedience, you don't get to pick what dogs get to be in the ring with you, do you? i think that you need to prepare your dog for anything and he or she needs to learn how to act around ANY breed of dog. your dog needs to learn to obey you whether all the other dogs are in the class are well behaved or not. and that goes for the real world, too. so i don't believe picking your classmates is a good thing.

i think any trainer worth your time (and money) should be able to deal with problem dogs and deal with those who truly pose a real threat accordingly.

[Luvs]

I don't really worry about who is in my class before hand. Once our classes have started I do pay attention to the different dogs and very quickly learn which ones to stay away from.

The only time I have had any type of problem was with the BC who attacked Akasha. He is no longer in our class. Instead they have him in the beginner class with all the other dogs that are just starting out. To be honest I kinda think that is not really the best move. You have a room full of novice dogs and owners and one that is very dog aggressive. At least when he was in our class the majority of the dogs were under control and were very good at ignoring the BC when he started getting nasty. The beginner dogs haven't learned to ignore him and pay attention to their handler.

What really surprised me was the class following the one where he went after Akasha, his owner was letting him socialize with some of the new dogs outside after class. I couldn't believe it! His owner is just asking for trouble. He had been fine with Akasha at first and then all the sudden decided to go after her. It is just a matter of time before he does it again. :(

[C Ross]

At our club the students to do not get to pick and choose who they train with. At the level Kudlow and I are training (and beyond) there's only one class a week anyway, so everyone is stuck with each other. That's fine with me. You never know who is going to be sitting next to you in the show ring (if we ever get there).

In my last class there was a large doberman who was a recent rescue. This dog had issues, the owner hadn't been with the dog long enough to have a good read on him yet, and my dog and this dog took an instant dislike to each other. We knew to give each other some space in the heeling exercises, to have one dog between us on the long sits and downs, and never be posts for each other on the figure eight. Problem solved.

Christine

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by Rott-Wiley

I don't know what you mean by "there can be destructive experiences in some cases." I only go to work my dog in a class -- we're not there to socialize with the other dogs and I hope they are there for the same reason.

Ditto. With our OB class we have this INSANE St. Bernard. I would actually prefer a class where the dogs act up a bit & Julius has to learn to obey through the distractions....which he does very well with I might add. :)

I have found that Ryan & I both have had to tell a couple of owners that we didn't want to have our dogs socialize before or after class. This one owner was completely unaware that his dog had his hackles up & was doing a low growl. So I have found that sometimes I need to let another owner know that Julius is there to work & not to mingle....

:)
Brooke

[flyballmom]

I've never had a choice in who my classmates were...for puppy K my trainer sorts the pups into large breed and small breed so they'll be similar sized and has them attend on different night. In regular classes if a dog is particularly dog aggressive it gets worked at the edge of class.....she demonstrates how to give a correction for aggressive behavior. Brookes right...lots of people are clueless about doggy body language. I've told people to keep their dog away from mine lots of times. Once Charleigh decided she didn't really like this really bouncy annoying Golden Retriever. The owner, with dog on leash, kept getting closer...Charleigh was in that extremely alert position - ears forward, head up, on tip toe, hackle up a little...because her stub was wagging ever so slowly this lady thought she wanted to play. Noooooo.................

[spoteet]

I never know what dogs are going to be in our classes. With Sajan's big dog issues, I am always nervous the first night of class waiting to see what dog will be his pick for this class. We are always the dog on the edge of class but we are changing that.

[Judi W]

Originally Posted by spoteet

I never know what dogs are going to be in our classes. With Sajan's big dog issues, I am always nervous the first night of class waiting to see what dog will be his pick for this class. We are always the dog on the edge of class but we are changing that.

He'll get closer as time goes by. Of course that would not be the case if someone was allowed to decide he shouldn't be there!!!!

[BostonRott]

Originally Posted by Rottlva

I never really gave this much thought as I feel competent enough to read body language and sense if there is going to be an issue with another dog. I have always kept a healthy working distance between anydog and myself, no matter what the temperment. It is only respectful to handler and dog.

Yep, exactly, and also as mentioned above, I learn quickly which dogs my girls love or hate. The "loves" can be just as distracting as the "hates." Vikka is in love with all male BC's, ugh!!

I trust my instructor to place people in the appropriate class. I've even seen her move people around the various levels. :)

[spidey]

I agree with most of the posts here - part of the usefulness of group classes is proofing your dog regardless of what distractions there are, and that includes other dogs. Since playtimes are normally not a part of classes after puppy kindergarten, I don't really think there's any reason to be picky about what other dogs are in your class (if there are dogs you don't want your dog playing with, just don't let him play with those dogs, seems simple to me). I've been in classes with people who bugged the heck out of me, but that's an important part of MY proofing, just as being in a class with dogs he loves/hates is an important part of Rakki's proofing. I just stay away from the dogs which react strongly to Rakki (only happened once), and that way there are no destructive experiences. You can't control the dogs you'll meet in real life, whether on the street or in competition, so I don't see much benefit in trying to control the dogs in class with you - if there's a really disruptive dog there, it's up to the instructor to deal with it.