Suggestions On Groups In Melbourne

[becandcharch]

We have decided to take our dogs along to some sort of group training as they dont really get to socialize with other dogs a whole lot now that they have each other.

I always took Charche to the offlead park where he has always played well with other dogs but since having Asha Im not as comfortable keeping an eye on the the two of them if its just myself.

Also, there is a husky that twice has had a crack at Charch so its just not worth it. I had never had a problem with him but now occasionally if he is near a larger dog his tail is straight up in the air and he is not at ease at all.

They both get walked every morning and Asha pulls, barks and gets excited when she sees another dog, Not in agressive way but rather that she wants to play. If I tell her to sit she will but I want to be able to just keep walking!

I figured if she was around other dogs more and taught to be calm this might stop.

We have a close friend with a BC that has shown some signs of aggression towards other dogs so she wants to join us also. Although Its only been once or twice and he is usually fine, its enough that it needs sorting out. He also doesnt get to see other dogs very much.

All dogs obediance is really good but I thought that would be the best way for them to be around other dogs onlead. Any other suggestions are welcome :D

Sundays are prefered.

Thanks

Edited to add Im in East Bentleigh

Edited September 1, 2010 by becandcharch

[Bundyburger]

There's Higgins Rd Dog Obedience but I don't like their trainers much.. We go to Underdog in Clayton instead

[becandcharch]

There's Higgins Rd Dog Obedience but I don't like their trainers much.. We go to Underdog in Clayton instead

Thanks BM :D

[anniek]

Hey Bec,

Can I suggest Underdog - they have the training at that primary school where we met that day.

Tamara & Stuart are the folks who run the rescue workshops and get a big

Annie

training

[becandcharch]

Thanks Annie :D

Do people think that obediance is the best idea for what we are after?

We have spent a lot of time with them on this.

The dogs are great when it comes to sit, stay, drop, come, heel (well, asha MOST of the time ) relax when we tell them, wait to eat...etc I would really be doing it for the socializing.

I guess I cant think of anything else we could do thats onlead.

[Bundyburger]

I'm taking Bundy to an Underdog agility workshop soon So excited about that.

[becandcharch]

I'm taking Bundy to an Underdog agility workshop soon So excited about that.

I would really love to get Asha into agility. I think she woud be really good at it. Let us know how Bundy goes :D

[labsrule]

If its primarily socialising you are after, I am not sure Obedience is the best place to do this as my Obedience club in Sydney and I am sure others as well discourage socialising between the dogs and I struggle with my 11month old Lab pup when we first arrive at the Obedience ground as he goes ballistic trying to socialise with the other dogs :D . A few of us let our dogs say hello to each other but control their interaction very carefully, particularly my boy who is a big strong exciteable youngster Why not try and attend some of the Melbourne Dolers get togethers as I note they meet at Kepala and maybe there are other get togethers for the Melbourne dolers.

[megan_]

Maybe you want two things?

i) General socialisation - if your dogs are good with other dogs, then something like a DOL meet as suggested above might be good.

ii) For Asha's excitability, I think you need a 1:1 consult, to help give you the skills to get her to focus on you and away from whatever is setting her off. There are a few options for what to do and it all depends on what works for you and the dog. I'd suggest someone who is a behaviourist and trainer for this. I'd suggest that this is what the BC with some aggression issues needs to. I have PM'd you some OB school names, they apply for this too. I have personally used Erny with excellent results.

[becandcharch]

If its primarily socialising you are after, I am not sure Obedience is the best place to do this as my Obedience club in Sydney and I am sure others as well discourage socialising between the dogs and I struggle with my 11month old Lab pup when we first arrive at the Obedience ground as he goes ballistic trying to socialise with the other dogs :D . A few of us let our dogs say hello to each other but control their interaction very carefully, particularly my boy who is a big strong exciteable youngster Why not try and attend some of the Melbourne Dolers get togethers as I note they meet at Kepala and maybe there are other get togethers for the Melbourne dolers.

Thanks labsrule.

Its more just being around other dogs not necessarily playing. With Asha I would like her to remain calm around other dogs.

Kepala could be a good idea. I like the idea of a controlled environment where strange dogs arent going to just walk up to them offlead.

[becandcharch]

Maybe you want two things?

i) General socialisation - if your dogs are good with other dogs, then something like a DOL meet as suggested above might be good.

ii) For Asha's excitability, I think you need a 1:1 consult, to help give you the skills to get her to focus on you and away from whatever is setting her off. There are a few options for what to do and it all depends on what works for you and the dog. I'd suggest someone who is a behaviourist and trainer for this. I'd suggest that this is what the BC with some aggression issues needs to. I have PM'd you some OB school names, they apply for this too. I have personally used Erny with excellent results.

Thanks Megan

Since these incidents with the husky Im not 100% confident to let Charch run around with strange dogs. I have never had a problem with this before but its made me lose my confidence a bit too.

Thanks for the PM. Ill check it out.

[anniek]

Thanks Annie :D

Do people think that obediance is the best idea for what we are after?

We have spent a lot of time with them on this.

The dogs are great when it comes to sit, stay, drop, come, heel (well, asha MOST of the time ) relax when we tell them, wait to eat...etc I would really be doing it for the socializing.

I guess I cant think of anything else we could do thats onlead.

With Underdog I would say yes. they are behaviourists not just "dog trainers".

From their website

"Clayton South Primary School CLAYTON SOUTH - $150 per dog*

This is our biggest venue for dog obedience training and this means we have a varietyof places to work with you and your dog- we have covered areas for hot or cold days as well as large grassed spaces so everyone has plenty of room to work their dog! This venue is also suitable for dogs with aggression, excitability or anxiety based issues with other dogs- contact us for more details regarding how to integrate your reactive or excitable dog into a group obedience class. Agility will also be coming soon to this location"

[dee lee]

Thanks Annie

Do people think that obediance is the best idea for what we are after?

We have spent a lot of time with them on this.

The dogs are great when it comes to sit, stay, drop, come, heel (well, asha MOST of the time ) relax when we tell them, wait to eat...etc I would really be doing it for the socializing.

I guess I cant think of anything else we could do thats onlead.

I think it would be great to help your dogs socialisation. Like you say, you are not looking for buddies (none of the dogs play at my training club), but to help your dogs learn to be calm around others.

Also you would be suprised how much more you can still learn at an obedience class.

I'm fine with training all of the above, but when I took Honey to our first ever obedience class it really helped to fill in a lot of holes I hadn't noticed were there.

It really improved our working relationship (now if only I could go more often :D ).

Give it a shot, it cant hurt and most certainly will be beneficial in one or more ways. ;)

AND organise a DOL meet just for fun .

[becandcharch]

Thanks Annie

Do people think that obediance is the best idea for what we are after?

We have spent a lot of time with them on this.

The dogs are great when it comes to sit, stay, drop, come, heel (well, asha MOST of the time ) relax when we tell them, wait to eat...etc I would really be doing it for the socializing.

I guess I cant think of anything else we could do thats onlead.

I think it would be great to help your dogs socialisation. Like you say, you are not looking for buddies (none of the dogs play at my training club), but to help your dogs learn to be calm around others.

Also you would be suprised how much more you can still learn at an obedience class.

I'm fine with training all of the above, but when I took Honey to our first ever obedience class it really helped to fill in a lot of holes I hadn't noticed were there.

It really improved our working relationship (now if only I could go more often ).

Give it a shot, it cant hurt and most certainly will be beneficial in one or more ways.

AND organise a DOL meet just for fun .

Thanks deelee.

Yep your no doubt right. I like to think they are just the most well behaved pooches but Im sure we could find some room for improvement whilst there