Trainer Methods

[Avengr13]

I have a trainer now for Star. I believe the the methods in the class are too harsh. I believe she has learned a lot but... The other trainer I went to for DJ was too soft. I guess I would like to find one that is just right. The harshness was when the dog did not understand what the trainer wanted. When I tried at home (being gentler but firm) DJ did just fine. We watch the other dogs as well and just feel that the methods might work for a police dog but not for an at-home pet. All the dog learns is meanness not discipline.
We will finish the class and then seek another trainer.

[Judi W]

If you are taking your dog to training classes, the leash is in your hands and you are the one who controlls the amount of and force of any corrections as well as you being the one to dish out the praise and motivation as appropriate for your dog.

[TrinityRun]

Originally Posted by Avengr13

I have a trainer now for Star. I believe the the methods in the class are too harsh. I believe she has learned a lot but... The other trainer I went to for DJ was too soft. I guess I would like to find one that is just right. The harshness was when the dog did not understand what the trainer wanted. When I tried at home (being gentler but firm) DJ did just fine. We watch the other dogs as well and just feel that the methods might work for a police dog but not for an at-home pet. All the dog learns is meanness not discipline.
We will finish the class and then seek another trainer.

Give us examples of what you are talking about.

[rottnelmo]

Originally Posted by Judi W

If you are taking your dog to training classes, the leash is in your hands and you are the one who controlls the amount of and force of any corrections as well as you being the one to dish out the praise and motivation as appropriate for your dog.

I agree with this whole heartedly. if you dont like the methods...ask for your money back and find a new trainer. Or use a combination of the trainers methods and what WORKS for your dog. Dogs are individuals, what works for one dog...doesnt always work for another.

[Avengr13]

We just had the one incident with DJ which was the misunderstanding. But we saw other dogs that were treated very harshly. (Especially a small sized dog) I guess we are just too softhearted.
We just have testing to go thru and then we are done.

[TrinityRun]

OK.

Without knowing what situations you are talking about, it's hard to really comment. What may seem harsh to you, maybe really wasn't. Maybe it was. Can't say.

It's easy to say don't do what makes you uncomfortable but I can't even do that. I've seen a lot of people who winced at the mere suggestion of correcting their dog. (the horror!) and anyone who did was just harsh and out of line.

I'm not saying this is so in your case at all - just making a general comment. That's about all we can do in this thread.

[Judi W]

Always keep in mind that it is just possible that the instructor knows what s/he is doing.

[TrinityRun]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Always keep in mind that it is just possible that the instructor knows what s/he is doing.

Exactly. Which is why I initially asked for more detail. And if the OP is at the tail end of the classes, can't be there were red flags early on.

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Always keep in mind that it is just possible that the instructor knows what s/he is doing.

hmmmmmm thats a concept

[Avengr13]

It doesn't matter if the instructor knows what he/she is doing. What matters to ME is that me and my 2 daughters and my husband were all very uncomfortable with what the instructors were doing at various times and especially with OUR dog. I understand strict and discipline but dogs very definitly have feelings and should be respected. I feel they disrespected the dogs. Like I said, I will finish the class(1 testing) and not return. I will be with my dogs and make sure nothing bad happens to them!

[spidey]

Originally Posted by Avengr13

It doesn't matter if the instructor knows what he/she is doing. What matters to ME is that me and my 2 daughters and my husband were all very uncomfortable with what the instructors were doing at various times and especially with OUR dog. I understand strict and discipline but dogs very definitly have feelings and should be respected. I feel they disrespected the dogs. Like I said, I will finish the class(1 testing) and not return. I will be with my dogs and make sure nothing bad happens to them!

I completely support this stand. There are many different approaches to training, and you have to find one which both works with your dog and fits with your personal philosophy on training. There is no "one size fits all" training method.

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by Avengr13

It doesn't matter if the instructor knows what he/she is doing. What matters to ME is that me and my 2 daughters and my husband were all very uncomfortable with what the instructors were doing at various times and especially with OUR dog. I understand strict and discipline but dogs very definitly have feelings and should be respected. I feel they disrespected the dogs. Like I said, I will finish the class(1 testing) and not return. I will be with my dogs and make sure nothing bad happens to them!

I understand that you and your family were uncomfortable with the strict discipline. I am sorry to hear that. But could you be more specific?

Was there hitting and/or unnecessary force used against a dog(s) who clearly did not understand what was being asked of them? Or were harsh leash corrections doled out for insubordination?

I am somewhat confused.

[lblax]

Originally Posted by Avengr13

It doesn't matter if the instructor knows what he/she is doing. What matters to ME is that me and my 2 daughters and my husband were all very uncomfortable with what the instructors were doing at various times and especially with OUR dog. I understand strict and discipline but dogs very definitly have feelings and should be respected. I feel they disrespected the dogs. Like I said, I will finish the class(1 testing) and not return. I will be with my dogs and make sure nothing bad happens to them!

if its so bad then why finish?????

[Judi W]

Well, now I am confused again! Are you training your dog under the instructor or are you just handing the dog off? Back to my very first question. If you are just handing your dog over, of course you don't have any control nor is your dog learning to obey you. If you are the one with the leash, then you are the one who has the control over what happens with your dog.

[Avengr13]

I am training the dog under an instuctor as are others with their own dogs. While this is going on, in the same room, other dogs are being handled by by other trainers than ours one/on/one. These dogs are boarded or having private lessons. The way these dogs were treated seemed very harsh. I don't want to go into details but I have seen much training and I believe this was Police dog training and I feel that it is tooo much for some dogs. I feel it is okay for 1 more class to get our intermediate certificate and then we will be finished.