Advice From Other Instructors

[JulesP]

I did say in my first post that the dog was too off its tree to be able to learn anything.

[petmezz]

agree with all mentioned.

if it was a dog in my class i would instruct the owner to come 30min (assuming it is the standard 1 hour lession) into the lession, set up a chair well with in the dogs critical distance (you will need to instruct on this to the owner) have high reward treats redy and just sit and wate, as mentioned by pippi mark and reward any calm behaviour. after you have finished with the class ask how the dog whent, how many treats it receved, how long untill the first treat, did the dog calm down and how long did it take, keep a written record. then work with the dog for 5 to 10 min, finish on a high any high, the dogs first sit, or first look jackpot and finish.

i would also talk about weelky training when walking the dog and on focus behavioures at home in all home environments (on the bed, in the bathroom, outside, befor dinner) encurage them.

also talk to them about feeding, mention kongs, orbo's, everlasting treat balls, bottles, and tea towls describe to them how to use the items, and explane how benifishal it would be for the dog to get all its food given to it in these toys. Tel them how much stimulation the dog will get during the day trying to get the food. mention the dog is learning to be quiet, calm, and engaged in getting the food out of the toys, mention to give soft praise when this is happining.

mention to always give a reward for being quiet and doing "nothing".

Just some things to try

[Rusky]

Does the puppy have any opportunity to play with other dogs either in class or anywhere else? Does the owner play with the puppy? Do they bring toys to class as well as yummy treats? Has the puppy been given all it's dinner before class? Is the owner receptive to what you say?

I would do as Piipi suggested and use distance rewarding and use the reward based programme petmezz suggested from that distance.

I would also ask exactly how the pup behaves at home, it is hard without seeing the pup but it is possible the pup rules the roost at home without any clear boundaries. I would make sure she is using leadership skills at home and that she takes the pup out a lot to parks, schools at letting out time, and busy shopping streets. She should invite people with pups to her home...lots of people and children.

Your handler needs to make sure she is not leaving food around when she is not there and yes also check the diet...maybe change to another type. Ask about meetings and greetings, rewards and recalls. Ask her to teach 'settle' at home to find that spot which totally relaxes the dog, reward well for calm manners at home.

At home she can use a pr conditioner and make sure all is in place at home that the pup at home understands the linking of treats with good manners, talk about timing.

mention to always give a reward for being quiet and doing "nothing".

very very important.

Sometimes as has been mentioned to me many many times...we can't save the world and sometimes because eventually it is beyond our control one slips through.

[leopuppy04]

I have a 4 month old golden x poodle in my class. I don't think it has had any socialisation at all. The owner says it is good at home but at school it is totally insane. It is so nuts that the owner can't do any of the exercises with it.

I've told him to get the dog out lots.

Apart from that what techniques would you use to settle it down enough for it to be able to learn? At the moment nothing is going to get in.

We are a positive club and I can't handle the dog myself.

Jules - can she get it's attention with food?! Get the owner to find something food-wise that will get the dogs attention - ie: raw meat, cooked steak if it needs to be . Then just get her to listen in on the class, do what she can, but mainly reward the dog for ANY quiet behaviour. If she does this for a few weeks - she'll be able to 're-join' the class 'properly'.... that is if she does her homework too

[JulesP]

Is paying no attention to treats, or little attention. Interestingly I saw out of the corner of my eye that the dog did focus on the owner when he was rustling a bag when picking poo up.

I actually think the dog has potential but is not going to be an easy pet for quite a while.

[Nekhbet]

Is the dog excited as in "I wanna get out of here" or trying to be in every place at the same time. Also is the dog actually used to the equipment the owner uses at club (ie does it wear it every day or just club days)

What would happen if the owner starved the dog for a few hours beforehand and brought in high value treats, worked well away from other dogs and mark calmness with a clicker/whistle etc. Try and condition the dog when it hears a certain word/sound it needs to settle.