J... Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 As the question states, as a club member, whats more important to you? Is it the quality of instruction and results? Or would you prefer to sacrifice a few results here and there, and hold your dog back for feeling like a valuable member of the club and having some friends who attend the club as well? I know in an ideal world you would have both, but just wondering what peoples thoughts were? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 I guess it depends what you mean by results? Are we talking competition results, 'wins' with your own dogs or just generally doing well and progressing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J... Posted July 8, 2007 Author Share Posted July 8, 2007 Results could mean either way - in my situation it would be learning new skills and making good progress, you would think that the competition results would follow if you were that way inclined. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Piximatosis Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Personally, the quality of instruction and the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Quality of the instruction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laffi Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Quality of the instruction. Me too! I prefer a club using positive reinforcement, even if the results are slower than using more traditional methods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TangerineDream Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Quality of instruction, inventiveness of instructors and the club's with dogs either having learning problems or not being challenged enough - just like teaching kids..the same principles apply. Not every child learns the same, the sme goes for dogs, but lots of clubs just want to churn people through...I know that a lot of people attending clubs are just doing obedience 'because they've been told they should', but for those attempting more than just cursory training, the qulaity of instruction is incredibly important. have started at 2 obedience clubs in Melbourne, only to walk away at the end of the 1st lesson and not go back......shocking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonElite Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 I prefer a club using positive reinforcement, even if the results are slower than using more traditional methods. Off topic - what are the traditional methods? Why do you think that the positive reinforcement methods work slower? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Quality of instruction and results- more often than not i am on the other end, the trainer not the client and 90% of my clients want results. Very few are there for social interaction with others. My job is to make sure their expectations are reasonable and determine the best way to go about it for them and their dog. If we can be friends, (and the clients can be friends) have a laugh and a great time as well- thats fantastic- but thats not the clients first priority (the majority of the time) so its not mine either. Fortunately my clients seem to enjoy the training, each other and my 'manner' as well so they have the best of both worlds, but the results they are after and the dogs capabilities remain at the forefront of my mind. Hope thats sort of what you were asking and not OT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms James Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 I want both, first & foremost I want good quality instruction - however, the success & results of that instruction usually comes from us & how much we've been practising with our guys. I also like to have a chinwag with the people at the club. I wouldn't classify them as "friends", just people I can catch up with once a week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staranais Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 (edited) I prefer good quality instruction over a "friendly" club. A good instructor who is well versed in all sorts of different training techniques and methods (instead of having one "pet" method or tool) is worth their weight in gold, IMO. But most important to me is a safe, well controlled atmosphere. Since my dog is dog aggressive, we simply can't attend a class where dogs are uncontrolled or owners are encouraged to let their dogs socialise all the time, no matter how good the instructor may be. Edited July 8, 2007 by Amhailte Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laffi Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 (edited) I prefer a club using positive reinforcement, even if the results are slower than using more traditional methods. Off topic - what are the traditional methods? Why do you think that the positive reinforcement methods work slower? Correction collar and a lot of jerks when the dog does not respond to commands is more traditional for me. Positive reinforcement and shaping with a clicker (or "yes") can take much longer but it also stays for much longer. It can take longer because you don't put the dog in the right position but wait for her to perform the action you want to reinforce. Edited July 9, 2007 by laffi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keshwar Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I guess for me it is about quality of instruction. I have a non-standard obedience breed so I want instructors that understand that what works for the majority may not work for my dog and be able to suggest alternatives. I want instructors that understand that my dog will not stand around for an hour doing repetitive tasks and allow me to do my own thing if necessary. Results are my domain - if I put the work in the results will follow. Bear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laffi Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I guess for me it is about quality of instruction. I have a non-standard obedience breed so I want instructors that understand that what works for the majority may not work for my dog and be able to suggest alternatives. I want instructors that understand that my dog will not stand around for an hour doing repetitive tasks and allow me to do my own thing if necessary.Results are my domain - if I put the work in the results will follow. Bear. Well said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joan of Arc Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Quality of instruction is first and foremost, if you dont have that it is highly unlikely that you will achieve results. If you all happen to end up firends etc then that's great but dont lose sight of the fact that you are there for a reason. And it doesn't really matter if that reason is to achieve a well behaved and well socialised pet or if you are seeking to go to the top of the obedience levels, you need the instruction so you can learn, then you can successfully train your dog. Like others here I gave up on our club because we spent half the night sitting in a cold paddock in a chair with the dog sitting on the frosty ground. That's becuase the trianing became so poor and the approach from the club committee was so 'different' that many instructors left and we were donw to one or two instructors to about 30 - 35 members. So those of us who were up to working off lead had to regress. Looking forward to new club in new town when we move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilBailey Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Quality of instruction, inventiveness of instructors and the club's with dogs either having learning problems or not being challenged enough - just like teaching kids..the same principles apply. Not every child learns the same, the sme goes for dogs, but lots of clubs just want to churn people through...I know that a lot of people attending clubs are just doing obedience 'because they've been told they should', but for those attempting more than just cursory training, the qulaity of instruction is incredibly important. have started at 2 obedience clubs in Melbourne, only to walk away at the end of the 1st lesson and not go back......shocking! Why do so many clubs seem to forget this. When I was doing the instructors course at my old club I was told exactly what way I was to teach the handlers to teach the dogs. I how ever didn't quite do this. (got in trouble once or twice too) When I changed clubs (do to a location change) it was the same. OUR WAY ONLY!! Beacuse of this fact (as well as a few political ones) a few of us started our own club (just flyball at this stage) We are aware that dogs are all different and we have even trained to quite a good level a dog that was pretty much rejected by the club we left. to them I guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheres my rock Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 obviously good instruction is a key factor im so glad im not a newbe looking for somewhere to train my dog for me all i want is a club wiht good equipment that is happy to let me do my own thing that is actually hard to find People often ask me where to go to trian their dogs i never know what to say Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAX Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 To me I would like the club to embrace different styles of training. I would like club members to have the choice to try an option of methods and find what suits them and their dog. I would like other instructors to be accepting of different methods and ideas, even when it is something that they personally would not use but be open minded and accepting. I want the members to feel welcome and appreciated. I want positive reinforcement more for the handlers then for the dogs. I don't want members leaving because they feel hopeless. I want dog training to be fun for the dogs and the handlers. Gosh I want a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheres my rock Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 eutopia dog club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheres my rock Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 after sundays non stop three dogs barking for two hours i told hubby thast it for me for the rest of the year i have no reason to go to club and certainly dont need a headache from the stress of barking dogs and idiot andlers rofl So im going awol until my pup arrives next year and then i may not bother going back cept for the odd social cuppa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now