My local dog training class doesn't want us.

elsien

Phoned up today to see if gitdog could go along to their beginner classes, to find out that he is persona (canus) non grata.
They don't mind boisterous but don't want noisy dogs as the other people in the class don't like it. Which I can completely understand if the dog is being disruptive. But I have a strong feeling that gitdog would be whinging and whining to start with then would realise it was getting him nowhere and would calm down fairly quickly.
However as I can't take him along to week one to see how it goes without paying for the full 8 weeks, I'm not prepared to take the chance.
They did suggest one to one lessons, but as we're getting on ok with training on our own and I really wanted to go along to get him used to being sensible around other dogs in a controlled environment that seems a bit pointless. He's not aggressive, just OTT, and as I don't have any friends with stooge dogs, I don't know what else to try. We meet dogs while out walking but he jumps on their heads and scares them off.
Any other helpful suggestions to teach an exciteable pooch that not all dogs want to be pinned to the floor and wrestled with? I can't find any other dog classes round my way close enough to get to around work times.

(Sorry meritaten, you'll have to get your fun elsewhere.)

Person_one

What about looking online for dog walking meetup groups? You could explain your situation and see if they don't mind you coming along just to see how you get on.

I'm not sure that training classes would have been the right solution anyway. Dogs need to learn doggie manners from other dogs in a more natural situation without leads and treats and enclosures. How old is gitdog? Is it just over-excitability that's the issue, no aggression?

krlyr

I was 'refused' from training classes (i.e. we had an assessment and she didn't deem him ready for it) but the trainer offered a few alternatives. This included 1-to-1 lessons or some group walks arranged with other dog owners.

Would the trainer use stooge dogs in the 1-to-1 lessons? You can control a situation like that much easier than in a training class, which is full of other dogs that may not necessarily be the best dogs to teach yours how to behaviour. Plus the owners may not necessarily read their dog's body language accurately enough to not cause issues with interactions.

elsien

He's 2 -3. No aggression whatsoever, just exuberance.
We have found one or two dogs who will play but most of the owners take one look and because he's an ebt staffie cross just assume he's going to eat their dogs and do a big detour. And those dogs that do say hello get fed up with being jumped on and either run off or growl and have a go. At which point the owners pull them away quick. Which doesn't help as he doesn't seem to learn so he's not learning any sensible behaviour from them.

I sort of wanted him to be in an environment where he would have to get used to being around other dogs without getting the chance to be a complete plank.

I hadn't thought of the group walks, I might look and see if there are any I could find out more about.

The one to one sessions seemed to involve initially taking gitdog for a walk and if we came across other dogs seeing what happened and taking it from there. Which just seemed a bit too hit and miss for me, to be honest.

Wellyboots6

It sounds like a lucky escape to be honest.
The classes I have looked at for LS have all said to go down to have a look first before paying anything to make sure I thought it was suitable for him, and also to get him used to the venue.

Could you try an activity class rather than an obedience class? That's the route I have taken. LS knows the obedience basics but needs work on the socialisation. At his agility class we are working on his socialisation and picking up little bits of agility too on the side. He isn't as good as the others at it as he is too busy having 'issues' but the class understand this and are happy to let him have a go. They use it as training for their own dogs to perform with distractions!

I had thought about one to one lessons too, and had one with a behaviourist. She suggested doing classes rather than one to ones though as it was the other dogs he needed rather than the 'lessons'.

Person_ones idea is a good one. Try looking on facebook for dog walking groups.

If you were anywhere near here I'd say LS is always looking for walking partners to wrestle!

elsien

I think it's a bit soon for activity classes - not enough basic training yet to not cause complete havoc!
I have used the training classes before with mutt, many years ago and I did find them helpful.
I can understand them not wanting to lose a paid place if they were full and I dropped out on week one. But at the moment the class still has spaces, so I was a bit surprised that they didn't offer to give it a go, as they wouldn't be losing anything either way.

elsien

katy721 wrote: »

He isn't as good as the others at it as he is too busy having 'issues' but the class understand this and are happy to let him have a go. They use it as training for their own dogs to perform with distractions!

That made me laugh. You're lucky to have found an understanding class to go to.

krlyr

Have you checked http://www.apdt.co.uk for other local trainers? Or the PPG is one I've heard of recently http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/

Wellyboots6

Causing complete havoc is half the fun!

Although I do dread going half the time because of the looks I get! Just got to keep reminding myself I am doing it for him not me. He loves doing the agility exercises, even if he is the only dog that needs a longline and the area evacuated first!

elsien

And purely on the grounds that we haven't had the gratuitous posting of photos for a while now, here's Mr Butter Wouldn't Melt himself.

Wellyboots6

Awww those ears are amazing!