Off leash play session in obedience classes ?

[Ilovemypuppy]

Other than in puppy K, I haven't heard of or seen off leash play sessions in obedience classes and am wondering if it is done elsewhere? Since there are so many members here who are going to so many different trainers and classes, I thought it might be interesting to hear how the classes are structured in various areas. For example, how dogs are introduced to each other in the initial class.
Another thought is whether or not 'community' water bowls are used in classes.

[BostonRott]

Beyond Puppy K, there aren't any. Dogs are not "introduced" to each other, they are there to learn. They will see/smell those in class with them, and will certainly know if a new dog arrives several weeks through class.

I personally would leave a class if we were supposed to be introducing our dogs to every other dog.......not what I'm there for, and for as poorly as I've seen other read and handle their dogs.........a disaster waiting to happen IMO.

[Carol Burke]

I agree with Gretchen. Introducing adult dogs at class is asking for trouble. They are there to learn, not socialize with each other. Of course, the dogs are going to notice there are other dogs present, but their attention should be on you not other members of the class.

[SonnyRott]

Dogs are not allowed to socialize in our class. Whatever socialization happens (outdoors) on the way to the parking lot is up to the handlers.

[diddybopper04]

No socialization in the adult classes I've gone to either, except on leash and well supervised.

I would not have my dog use a community water bucket or bowl.

[Brooke&Ryan]

We train at two different clubs. Neither one allows dog-dog interaction. Some of the people choose to "socialize" their dogs in the parking lot before or after class & we just avoid that. Like Gretchen said, we are there to learn & not to socialize.

There is a community water bowl in our one class but we bring our own. I'm not keen on Julius sharing a bowl with god knows how many other dogs.


Brooke

[SonnyRott]

My friend stopped going to her training class (won't mention the place) because the dogs had "playtime" before each class started. Too many older dogs were intimidating the younger dogs and sometimes even fights broke out. Not a very good environment, especially for those young dogs.

[Canula2000]

Oh yeah, what a fun time for the dogs...not!!! For some reason my trainer decided to do this last time we went in and my dog had a terrible time. Having strange over-excited dogs jumping in her face was not a good thing and made her seem overly aggressive. She growled and snapped at the other dogs and I had to keep her in the corner. She did wonderful with the obedience and knew all her commands but did not like the other dogs invading her space. Next time through classes we will skip the first fifteen minutes.

[HerculesMomma]

My first basic OB class did this too. It was not a puppy class, but a basic class - yet everyone in there had dogs under 1 yrs. old except me. So at the end of each class they would let the dogs play. I had to take Hercules in the back because he does not like the little dogs jumping all over him and would growl etc. Towards the end of class I would just leave as it really started getting on my nerves. I've since found two other facilities that in my opinion, are a little more professional and do not do this. I think it's fine for those puppy K classes, but the closer they get to being an adult they should be treated as such.

[Judi W]

I do not allow my dogs to play on the training field. Even if it is a dog they socialize with elsewhere. There might be a second or two of sniff to a training buddy, but no play and nothing more than an acknowlegement. The training field is for work and the structure is for work. For beginning dogs, it changes their focus from their handler to the other dogs they have froliced with and trust me, no matter how animated a handler you are, that romp with the other dogs is more fun than heeling. I want the habit of work to be incalculated into the dog and there to be no confusion.

[flyballmom]

No play, off leash or otherwise, in my trainers classes either. In fact she tells people to be cautious about letting their dogs sniff other dogs. The only dogs she will let play on-leash a little are the ones that have been to puppy k together, they DO remember each other. We're there to learn...we DO learn "social manners"...how to sit nicely on a leash while mom stops and greets, shakes hands with someone. Or at least we are TRYING to learn. Nope, no community water bowls...we all bring our own.

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Judi W

I do not allow my dogs to play on the training field. Even if it is a dog they socialize with elsewhere. There might be a second or two of sniff to a training buddy, but no play and nothing more than an acknowlegement. The training field is for work and the structure is for work. For beginning dogs, it changes their focus from their handler to the other dogs they have froliced with and trust me, no matter how animated a handler you are, that romp with the other dogs is more fun than heeling. I want the habit of work to be incalculated into the dog and there to be no confusion.

etch this in to your memory it is 200% correct