Should You Go To Obedience Even If You Find It Boring?

[aussielover]

Just wondering if people think that every dog owner should take their dog to obedience classes?

I can see how some people would benefit from going, but to be totally honest i find it quite boring. Obviously i have not done more than beginners class, but that is boring enough in itself.

Yes, it is good for the pup to learn to ignore other dogs but i feel this can be achieved in other ways as well, if you're willing to put in the time.

I don't want my dog to "heel" when i walk her, i don't want her focussed on me the whole time. i would still feel this way even if she wasn't a guide dog puppy. I want her to focus on me if there is a distraction, but i don't need to walk around in circles having her stare up at me to achieve this.

They don't really teach normal loose leash walking at obedience.

Does everyone feel this way in beginners classes? does it get more fun?

The place i go to usually does heel in a srtaight line and circle and sit. these are the only things we practice in beginners. It is extremely boring, as my puppy learnt to sit on her first day home and knows heaps of other tricks. I'm not sure how long you have to remain in beginners classes for- I have only managed to turn up occaisonally due to work and uni commitments.

I was taking her to a "manners" class which was very good and much more practical but the next level is on a day and time i just can't make :D

I spend time every day with my puppy training her, reinforcing her known commands and teaching her new things. i take her out with me to the shops and new places for "socialisation" everyday.

I'm generally happy with my dogs behaviour, and i feel i do know what i *should* do should any issues arise, and to be honest if there were any serious problems i would get a private trainer/behaviourist to help me out.

Do people think obedience school is a must?

People who do go- why do you go? did you find it boring to begin with?

Can you do other dog sports eg flyball, agility without having attended basic obedience classes?

BTW guide dogs have said going to obedience school is up to the puppy raiser, they neither encourage nor discourage puppy raisers to go. They check on the puppies once a month, so if there are any issues they can usually deal with them then.

They don't like the pups to be taught to look up at the trainer when walking though.

[huski]

I go to my local obedience school but I hang out and do my own thing, run ring outs, distraction work etc. I can't envisage doing classes again with any dog I have because I find it boring and my dogs find it boring. It also doesn't gel with the kind of training I do. I'd do other kinds of classes (i.e. we are just about to start agility class) though.

[Primedogs]

Do people think obedience school is a must?

I think that first time/unexperienced owners should attend a obedience class, if they don't enjoy it or their dog doesn't enjoy it and they don't have any problems with their dog I see no reason that they should have to stay in obedience but I think that they should at least attend.

People who do go- why do you go? did you find it boring to begin with?

Deakin is the first dog I have trained and we are still going to obediance class a year on from puppy classes becuase I enjoy it, my dog seems to enjoy it and I get a bit of a thrill seeing my dog learn new thing, for example today we did our first bit of proper heelwork off-lead and I am beyond proud of him. I found it a tincy bit boring to begin with as we started puppy class already knowing everything except for stand but as we moved on and I had to work harder to gain and keep his attention and the difficulty level went up it wasn't that boring.

Can you do other dog sports eg flyball, agility without having attended basic obedience classes?

At my club there is no requirment to attend another class before these sporting classes but you have to have control of your dog and at least for a unexperianced trainer to gain this control you would probably have to attend a class before hand.

[matilda1]

Katie and I dropped out of our Puppy school. We BOTH found it boring. her training was too advanced for the classes so we went for the socialising of it, but then dropped out as even Katie sat there and yawned.

We have other dogs and she plays well with other dogs and is socialised through other avenues though, i think if you do not have access to friends with dogs to teach your pup manners around others then it's a MUST !!

[wuffles]

Beginners wasn't exciting for us either. The next level up was ok, but still not very challenging. It got harder after that and is definitely hard in the trialling class!

In saying that... I take my young dog because we both enjoy it, and I take my older dog because he needs the structure, boundaries and bonding time that the class provides. I notice a difference in them both at home even if we miss one week's class, even though I still train them at home.

If I didn't enjoy it and the dog didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't go.

... I also like the socialising aspect :D

[Hafhafa Hounds]

I think every new owner who gets a dog should give it a go, from the point of view that it can provide structured bonding time. But not every obedience group is right for every owner & dog. You have to find one that suits you and your style.

I go with 3 of my pack of 6. My 2 Salukis are trained how I want them, but it's good socialising for them, as they are not very dog social, preferring their own company.

My Kelpie goes because she's needed structured training from day dot. She enjoys the one on one time it provides her with me. Sounds weird, that it's one on one time in a large group (our beginners class has around 15 - 20 dogs at present), but she's very focussed on me and not on the other dogs.

I enjoy socialising with people who love their dogs and I enjoy helping new owners learn about their new relationship. (I help instruct at times when we're very busy.)

I did obedience classes through to advanced & trialling levels with my two oldest dogs (now 15 & 16). They both loved it too.

ETA It's never boring, because I MAKE it fun. Treats, socialising, extra stays, running, games etc.

Sonia

Edited October 17, 2010 by Hafhafa Hounds

[poodlemum]

Beginners wasn't exciting for us either. The next level up was ok, but still not very challenging. It got harder after that and is definitely hard in the trialling class!

In saying that... I take my young dog because we both enjoy it, and I take my older dog because he needs the structure, boundaries and bonding time that the class provides. I notice a difference in them both at home even if we miss one week's class, even though I still train them at home.

If I didn't enjoy it and the dog didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't go.

... I also like the socialising aspect

It's an unfortunate fact that "Beginners" class is going to be a bit boring. Many Instructors will make the whole class work at the level of the least accomplished dog, which can be hard on a smart dog who already knows the exercises. The answer is not to drop out, but find an Instructor who is ready (or able) to promote a dog who knows the exercises - at the higher levels the class gets more interesting. When I was Instructing I never liked doing Beginners because I found it boring to instruct, as well :D I preferred the higher classes where I knew that all of the dogs had a certain basic level of Obedience and I could get the class doing some different things - even basic Agility work, to keep it interesting.

[Max#1]

Beginners obedience classes definitely seem a bit more *hrm* dry - compared to puppy pre-school, which was for both of us I think a complete hoot. I think the most challenging part is being able to stand there, with your excitable puppy, for one hour, on lead, with so many other dogs around, trying to keep calm, and avoid embarrassing behaviours.........

I think its a problem if you feel as though you are a bit advanced for the class (though there is definitely always something to learn). But I could understand this might turn people off.

Like wuffles said, I can imagine it gets a lot more challenging as you progress through, and I'm going to stick with it for that reason. (Hopefully I don't drop out at that point though because its too hard!!!).

We've started flyball training - just the training (obviously no competing until the dog can actually do it!). And its a completely different story. There's a big emphasis on off-lead socialization (none at obedience, in fact any dog-on-dog contact doesn't last longer than 3 seconds if the owners are doing it right) - and the off-lead socialization is fantastic on so many levels. There's also a big emphasis on recall - with all kinds of distractions - other dogs, balls, loud noises etc. At obedience its a 3 m controlled run, but I appreciate you have to start somewhere. And there is also learning how to play tug with your puppy - which is an art in itself really - learning how to play in general I guess.

For me I've had to really learn how to psyche my puppy up. And I accidently discovered, what I can only assume to be 'drive' (I keep reading about training in drive). After a little game of tug, then doing some training exercise, my puppy has never heeled more precisely, dropped more quickly and straight and sat up so proud - puffed out chest and everything! This made training a lot more fun. Now to replicate at the actual class... hmmmmmm...

[Kavik]

Simple answer - no.

Most club training is structured with heeling blocks etc and this quickly gets boring. Also it is not that compatible for competition work and training in drive. My main interest is agility, and you don't have to do formal obedience classes to do agility, you just need control over the dog off lead. Some class obedience work conflicts with what I want to teach for agility (heeling and focus on me etc). There is a lot of foundation work you can do for agility when the dog is a pup, but this does not require formal type obedience work.

I don't plan on going to obedience classes for my next dog, but plan to take him/her to agility training with Kaos and to trials and work on foundation behaviours in a busy environment to get him/her used to working around other dogs

[huski]

ETA It's never boring, because I MAKE it fun. Treats, socialising, extra stays, running, games etc.

A lot of the way classes are structured at obedience clubs means that you can only make it exciting to a certain point, as you still have to follow the overall structure of the class. It can work for some dogs, but I certainly couldn't make it that fun or interesting for my youngest dog.

This made training a lot more fun. Now to replicate at the actual class... hmmmmmm...

Training in drive works best in short bursts, it can be hard to replicate in a class when it goes for an hour, because when you rev your dog up that much and ask them to work at that level they get tired more quickly.

Simple answer - no.

Most club training is structured with heeling blocks etc and this quickly gets boring. Also it is not that compatible for competition work and training in drive. My main interest is agility, and you don't have to do formal obedience classes to do agility, you just need control over the dog off lead. Some class obedience work conflicts with what I want to teach for agility (heeling and focus on me etc). There is a lot of foundation work you can do for agility when the dog is a pup, but this does not require formal type obedience work.

I don't plan on going to obedience classes for my next dog, but plan to take him/her to agility training with Kaos and to trials and work on foundation behaviours in a busy environment to get him/her used to working around other dogs

Exactly my thoughts :D

I don't know any top competitors who plug away at obedience classes, they might pop in to do some distraction work but I've never seen or heard of any doing a full class.

[whiskedaway]

Do people think obedience school is a must?

We had planned not to take Akira to training and to do it ourselves. However, we quickly realised that while we had done our research, training a Husky was VERY different to our previous dogs and we needed the help, especially with PULLING. That problem still isn't completely solved, but we had a fantastic trainer today who has helped us heaps. For a dog that is a bit difficult, I think it's important to get someone else's opinion and/or help.

People who do go- why do you go? did you find it boring to begin with?

See above. But we still go because I enjoy going, Akira enjoys seeing all the other dogs and normally we both enjoy our classes. We're both a little bored of our current class, but that's because we should have moved up two weeks ago (because she knows how to do everything) but they're holding us there until Akira learns not to pull. I've always enjoyed it, because our club tries to break up the monotomy with some time getting used to basic agility equipment for the puppies and socialisation.

Can you do other dog sports eg flyball, agility without having attended basic obedience classes?

In my club you have to be at a certain level to do both agility and flyball. Puppies agility you have to pass level 1, and flyball you have to pass level... 3 or 4, I think.

[Guest belgian.blue]

My two never went, including puppy school. I prefer to train myself, for fun, and socialise at the beach/outings.

Both are level headed dogs and love other dogs.

I did take Ivy for a few weeks but the other dogs in the class were mad and they distracted her every week and I could tell she wasn't learning anything, she just wasn't paying attention. Too busy watching the the dogs play up. So I got fed up and never went back. I asked to switch classes and they wouldn't let me.

[Gayle.]

Isaak and I are in the beginners class, and yes it's really boring. I alternate weeks with Dusty who is in the CCD level class and I enjoy that a lot more.

Beginners is boring because the exercises are simple, a lot of the dogs aren't well behaved and I don't agree with the instructor that all dogs should be on a correction chain. I absolutely will not, under any circumstances, train a 6 month old puppy on a correction chain. In fact, I don't correct him at all, simply praise him for doing it right.

But I like going along for the Saturday classes, talking with other dog owners, socialising the dogs and occasionally competing in club comps. It's the only place you can compete at ALL levels of obedience....including baby puppies just learning to sit.

[Tiggy]

Simple answer - no.

Most club training is structured with heeling blocks etc and this quickly gets boring. Also it is not that compatible for competition work and training in drive. My main interest is agility, and you don't have to do formal obedience classes to do agility, you just need control over the dog off lead. Some class obedience work conflicts with what I want to teach for agility (heeling and focus on me etc). There is a lot of foundation work you can do for agility when the dog is a pup, but this does not require formal type obedience work.

I don't plan on going to obedience classes for my next dog, but plan to take him/her to agility training with Kaos and to trials and work on foundation behaviours in a busy environment to get him/her used to working around other dogs

Ditto

We're lucky in WA to have a club that runs puppy agility classes so I'll be taking my pup there next year and she'll be tagging along to agility training at my other club with Banjo .

[OSoSwift]

No.

I do go to a Dog club, but do my own thing. I train around the other dogs and train in short bursts. I swap dogs around and do bits here and there and I also use the equipment as I please.

What it has most definately helped with is the training around other dogs. Rommi was at a reasonably high level training with me and when she was around 14 months I started taking her to Dog Club. For the first 6 weeks she was a twit who couldn't concentrate. Over time she vastly improved and now is excellent around other dogs. She needed to go to an environment with lots of other dogs and learn to work around them. What she didn't need to was to be bored silly for an hour ambling around the park.

Lewis came to me at 8 months and due to being shown he did not get distracted around other dogs so was easier in that regard, but has still benefited from training around other dogs. He is breedist though, he only talks to Whippets!

Having said all that I think people new to dog ownership can benefit and should at least go to basic training with their dog. I think it is also beneficial for their dog to learn around other dogs and learn to ignore them.

Edited October 17, 2010 by OSoSwift

[Aussienot]

I am very disappointed that so many people think basic obedience classes need to be boring. Even in the very first class, you can play a game, make the handlers do something silly so that everyone loosens up a bit, and try to instill a sense of fun. Do a best tail wag competition to encourage effective praise, do a quickest sit and also reward the slowest sit.

I ask people how often they can spend 40 minutes doing nothing but focus on their dog. What a luxury. Set them up to use the time to make the most of their dog and its needs.

An instructor who cannot create a lesson plan for a range of ability is not trying hard enough, IMHO. In most beginning classes, some dogs know how to sit, some dogs don't, some dogs pull like freight trains, some dogs don't, so from the first week you are dealing with superstars and underachievers. It's life, deal with it.

[dandybrush]

i dont do obedience classes with my boy, however we do do agility. we did do puppy preschool, advanced preschool, off leash course and clicks and tricks. I think it is important for every new dog/puppy in the family to do some obedience or preschool for the socialisation and like wuffles said, boundaries/bonding time if you choose not to continue the training either agility or obedience or flyball or herding (whatever you are training in) then that is your choice but i think initially it should almost be a requirement of obtaining your new dog just my opinion

Edited October 17, 2010 by dandybrush

[poodlemum]

I am very disappointed that so many people think basic obedience classes need to be boring. Even in the very first class, you can play a game, make the handlers do something silly so that everyone loosens up a bit, and try to instill a sense of fun. Do a best tail wag competition to encourage effective praise, do a quickest sit and also reward the slowest sit.

I ask people how often they can spend 40 minutes doing nothing but focus on their dog. What a luxury. Set them up to use the time to make the most of their dog and its needs.

An instructor who cannot create a lesson plan for a range of ability is not trying hard enough, IMHO. In most beginning classes, some dogs know how to sit, some dogs don't, some dogs pull like freight trains, some dogs don't, so from the first week you are dealing with superstars and underachievers. It's life, deal with it.

I agree 100% with this! Unfortunately, many Instructors are lacking in imagination and just follow the set training outline.

[huski]

I don't mean to say all obedience classes are boring, but at the end of the day, some dogs do not do best in a class environment. I would rather have my dog giving 110% for ten minutes than giving 60-70% over an hour.

I might spend an hour or even two at obedience club, but I won't have my dog out for even half that time.

[Cosmolo]

Yes- but find an obedience class that ISN'T boring!!! In saying that- there are also owners who make obedience classes boring through total lack of motivation despite an instructors best efforts.