Training or not training

[Shetlander]

 

I took my last puppy to a few classes, not because I needed the instruction but because it was a challenging environment for him to practice his manners skills. I was actually feeling a little smug when i signed him up because I knew he knew most of the skills taught in the class, and I was a little surprised how naughty and distracted he was when it was a really fun and dynamic environment.

 

LOL. I love how dogs keep us humble. Naughty and distracted...why does that sound familiar? The new, challenging environment is mainly why I take my puppies to class, as well. Plus, it is fun!

[D'Elle]

LOL. I love how dogs keep us humble. Naughty and distracted...why does that sound familiar? The new, challenging environment is mainly why I take my puppies to class, as well. Plus, it is fun!

If I had a puppy I would definitely take him or her to puppy classes. It would offer an opportunity for the pup that couldn't be found elsewhere, and *I* wouldn't want to miss out on the chance (the excuse) to take the class. An hour in a room full of puppies......how could that not be fun?!

[Riika]

My mom only wants her dogs to know not to potty in the lawn, jump on people, bite, and have a recall.

I remember when Duke was younger I'd get frustrated trying to train him different things and she'd say, "Just don't train him. Why does he need to know all that stuff?"

I love training and train my dogs almost every day for their entire life. I train them tricks mostly but am always working on perfecting the recall, and other commands, tasks, etc.

[mum24dog]

 

I took my last puppy to a few classes, not because I needed the instruction but because it was a challenging environment for him to practice his manners skills. I was actually feeling a little smug when i signed him up because I knew he knew most of the skills taught in the class, and I was a little surprised how naughty and distracted he was when it was a really fun and dynamic environment.

 

YMMV, of course.

 

I will probably test him in class some way down the line. Each time I up the distraction level by taking him to a more challenging place I don't expect him to work the first time, just observe quietly. We're up to taking him to watch at agility shows now and I will try a couple of easy behaviours next time.

 

What I don't like about classes is that I am not in control of what my dog does when. I'm perfectly capable of speaking out if I don't want to do as asked but don't like having to do it. I'm sure I'm every instructor's worst nightmare, although I try not to be.

[Cass C]

Personally I like training Classes as a way of socializing my shy dog and teaching my dog motivated dog when it is time to listen and not play with other dogs. I don't like dog parks, so group classes are the next best thing for me.

[CptJack]

Honestly, I like the socialization of classes for *ME*. I don't have many dog people in my life. Having somewhere to go and hang out with them is good for my shy, anxious, anti-social self. Great for my confidence.

 

Good for all of those things for the DOGS, too, but it gets me out of the house and around people and I need that.

[mum24dog]

I like to choose which dogs mine socialise with. Not all those going to a class are going to be suitable and I don't want my pup in a class with other puppies because I'd rather he learned manners from well balanced adults.

 

He does get to play with puppies, but puppies that meet with my approval. One I know is a complete thug and I won't let her near him again.

 

I guess I'm lucky having the choice.

[CptJack]

I think it's actually a philosophy thing as much as anything else.

 

My dog learns manners from my adults who are well mannered both with people and other dogs, but I Do want her to handle being around 'thug' puppies and rude adults and dogs who are acting like fools without dissolving into becoming one herself. I mean she's not 8 weeks old and at that stage I didn't do classes, either, but I absolutely want her exposed to more than polite dogs.

It's not like dogs in classes (the classes I attend) EVER actually interact with each other or have even a tiny bit of physical contact. I *like* her around that nonsense. She's going to a flyball tournament this weekend and it's certainly not so she can be exposed to dogs in control of themselves and behaving well.

 

But this has worked well for me in the past and I'm sure your method works just as well for you.

[mum24dog]

Actually he has to cope with a lot of unpredictable and less than perfect behaviour towards him from the other dogs at home and manages very well.

 

In class a dog doesn't have to have physical contact with another to have an adverse effect on it.

 

I'm not going to risk my pup's currentcurrent polite and bomb proof status at a time when he will be entering a fear period by exposing him to experiences that may have a long lasting unwanted effect. That doesn't mean he is wrapped in cotton wool or that he is a wimp, just that I am alert to what is happening around.

 

He has proved that he can queue calmly by the ring with the excited big dogs at a very crowded and noisy agility show without batting an eyelid. That's more relevant to me than putting him in an artificial training situation but we all do what we think best for our own dogs.

 

I'll admit that my view is coloured by the fact that one of my dogs was traumatised for life by being scared witless by a GSD at a training class. Before that he was a pretty confident and friendly dog but was changed completely. I vowed that I would never let it happen to another dog of mine.