For Those That Haven't Gone To Training Recently

[Cosmolo]

I'd love to hear from those who have NOT taken their dog to training (group, private- some kind of organised training) in the last 3 months.

What was the reason why you stopped training your dog? Do you feel your dog is well trained enough? Did you not get results from previous training attempts? Is training too far away/ too often/ too expensive? Are you simply too busy? Did you find training boring?

What would prompt you to start training again or would you not start training again regardless?

Everyone encouraged to comment. :)

[Guest Ams]

What was the reason why you stopped training your dog? I moved into a rural area but still commute into the city. An hour travel each way with 24/7 rotational shifts meant there wasn't enough time to take a dog to class, return home and then get back into the city for work.

Do you feel your dog is well trained enough? They aren't perfect but know the basics and a few parlour tricks.

Did you not get results from previous training attempts? I previously religiously took my Dobe to training four nights a week but hated the actual competing. I found all the waiting around boring.

Is training too far away/ too often/ too expensive? Too inflexible. A package deal doesn't suit me since I can only ever attend about half of the classes due to the above mentioned shift work.

Are you simply too busy? I am very busy but if there was some flexibility I would try to find the time. I think the dogs benefit from the brainwork of formal training in a class environment.

Did you find training boring? Sometimes but I understand training is about training the people not necessarily the dogs.

What would prompt you to start training again or would you not start training again regardless? I think if I downgraded my rescue work and started to have a more normal paced life then there may be room for some training. I do think the dogs get a lot out of it.

[noisymina]

I have not taken a dog to formal training for years.

Tried it on two occasions.

The first one was an unmitigated fail in the first session and I didn't go back to any for about 20 years. Even tho I had paid for the whole season, nobody called to ask if there was a problem or encourege return visits.

Tried another - lasted a bit longer, but ended because the competitve pressure was not suited to my dog or myself. It was supposed to be a "fun" thing it and was for a while - then the pressure started. Oh - yeh - the lady was not fond of Dobes, had no idea about my dog and her issues, and was not particularly interested, supportive, or helpful.

I might be a bit slow, but I do get my dogs trained as much as a pet needs to be and a bit more! Must have saved a fortune in the last 30 years! :laugh:

Edited August 20, 2012 by noisymina

[JulesP]

I have been going to training but I am going to answer anyway :p

I mainly go to training because Poppy seems to know it is Sunday and sits and stares at me in such an expectant way that I have to take her, lol.

I am frustrated with training though. The dogs are 'trained'. I don't want to compete. I've gone through the obedience stream and the agility stream. The only obedience stuff I can do is ring run-throughs and as I don't want to compete that causes angst. Am doing Rally but there is still a push to compete in that. I could do a social class but that class isn't great for Poppy due to the dogs that sometimes go in it.

I do want to continue to train and the dogs love it. Not sure what it is that I am looking for. I guess a higher level of training without the pressure to compete. I am feeling like I don't want to go anymore but then I get those sad doggy looks!

[dee lee]

No time, my dog is well behaved & I don't want to pursue training as a hobby.

I possibly would consider going back if it was more convenient, had smaller classes & opportunity for extra curricular one-on-one trouble shooting.

But then, once my dog & I got to a standard I was happy with I probably would leave again.

[Danois]

I have stopped going recently as we lost our instructor and they've struggled to replace her. As a result, people have been promoted to our class but no one promoted out so it's too big.

Last session I went to was a nightmare. A mature instructor, could not hear a thing she said so relied on Chinese whisper type arrangement - waiting to see what the 2 people could hear her did. Probably was you'd take 3 steps and exercise changed. And it was the same basic heel pattern over and over. Then she wanted 20 plus talks to heel into the centre of the circle.

My dog was bored stupid so stopped paying attention.

I need a class which moves at a decent pace.

He is well trained already but it is a good discipline for him plus our class is usually half obedience then half agility or rally o.

[Oscar (AmBull)]

What was the reason why you stopped training your dog?

I simply do not have enough time and the times that training is run are not suitable, when daylight savings picks up again I will most likely rejoin as another more suitable session is available.

Do you feel your dog is well trained enough?

I do feel there is a lot more my dog can learn, especially with impulse control, so I would not consider him 'trained' entirely, but he is good enough to live with.

Did you not get results from previous training attempts?

I have done various training with a number of instructors over a three year period, each contributing in their own way, the class I have most recently joined has been very successful.

Is training too far away/ too often/ too expensive? Are you simply too busy? Did you find training boring?

I am limited for training in my area, a small country town, and many of the other highly recommended instructors are far too far away. Lie gets in the way far too often, which is the main reason i no longer train. Training has never been boring in my experience.

What would prompt you to start training again or would you not start training again regardless?

If more suitable times were available, like week nights or lunch/afternoon on a Saturday and indoors sessions.

Hope that helps :)

[Dogsfevr]

I haven't trialled or trained for many years .

I have a tough skin but can see why people give up.

I took a certain breed along for the instructor to tell me she didn't expect much as the breed is known for there stupidity.Which meant i won't spend much time with you.

Luckily for me i new other clubs members well & they also new me & the issue was addressed but it should never have happened in the first place & said stupid breed has achieved some of the highest result in Australian trialling.

I now a quite a few who give up because they are bored ,i think the other issue is some people simply expect miracles at training & when it doesn't happen blame the club & those people can't be helped but i think a better introductory class for the first night would be better where you don't bring your dog but get explained what the idea of the class is,the effort that is to be put in at home,the results that class is aiming for & the help people can get if struggling & class etiquette regarding your dog,other dogs & other handlers .

I think demo's from dogs would also be good for first night classes but not just perfect trial dogs not everyone wants that they just want to see what a bit of training can achieve & why its great .

I have gone down on occasions to walk young pups around to hear instructors telling people there doing a great job when they aren't,i appreciate there is a way of telling people when there doing good/bad but its a class & if things aren't right be honest after all how do people learn .

At the club i walk at they occasionally allow multi people to work a dog & its hopeless.

I do think the main thing is boring classes especially in winter ,its cold,the grass is freezing,people are struggling to get there dogs to sit ,they fail multi times given this command & get frustrated.

I think classes can be made more fun & varying & sometimes adapting to the weather on the night/day .

Lets face it not many dogs will be sitting on cold grass in 0 degrees .

I train junior handlers for showing & the occasional adult & once the dogs & handlers have switched off you have lost that learning ability so making it fun for all is so important .

I spend times getting the kids to teach there dogs to catch,some think its weird but the dogs love it & focus on that child,the hand & everyone enjoys the moment .

A good 20 mins is far better than a useless hr

[aussielover]

I still do agility with the same club but I've stopped going to obedience, SO I'll answer for why I don't go to obedience class anymore.

What was the reason why you stopped training your dog?

- Lack of interest and time on my part

Do you feel your dog is well trained enough?

-Generally, yes. I can take her pretty much anywhere and she is obedient enough and listens to me most of the time. I don';t think obedience classes really helped her with general manners much anyway though.

Did you not get results from previous training attempts?

- We got results but thy weren't exactly useful for real life.

- also there got to a stage where I felt like we weren't progressing.

Is training too far away/ too often/ too expensive?

-no its very close to where I live only about a 15 min walk or 5 min drive (in fact much closer than the agility clubs I go to!), it is also very cheap. The only thing is that it is on late at night (8pm) which is a very hard time for me to find motivation to go out in the cold and dark!

Are you simply too busy?

- It is not so much that I am too busy, but I would rather spend my time differently. I think I can achieve a lot more in shorter training sessions on my own than what we achieved in an hour class.

Did you find training boring?

-Yes. I didn't find the 30 mins or so of heel work particularly interesting. Even Rally O type exercises weren't exactly thrilling or exciting. I have to say that I felt my dog did enjoy the opportunity to earn rewards and enjoyed the work more than I did. The only reason I was going at all in the end was that I felt bad about not letting her go because she does seem to enjoy the whole opportunity to work, the socialisation and being out and about.

What would prompt you to start training again or would you not start training again regardless?

- I would have to find a very inspirational obedience instructor that understood that it was boring for both the humans and dog (mostly humans though!) to do the same heel exercise for 30 mins.

- I don't think pure obedience really interests me but I would be more interested in joining a training group that learnt tricks, manners etc.

[mixeduppup]

I haven't been for a while

What was the reason why you stopped training your dog? I didn't stop training, I just do it by myself now. I stopped going to training because there was no age group, no rules regards vaccinations, in heat bitches or generally aggressive dogs. All dogs were at different levels and there was one instructor...It was a lesson on what "pure pandemonium" looked like though.

Do you feel your dog is well trained enough? For my purposes, yes they are.

Did you not get results from previous training attempts? I mainly went for the socialisation and to teach the dog to obey me with distractions (because there were a lot there lol)

Is training too far away/ too often/ too expensive? Are you simply too busy? There is a very good one about an hour from me but it's just too far to travel to every week, and my life is ever changing and I can't guarantee I can set aside the time.

Did you find training boring? Some aspects, yes. Especially when the trainer seems to focus on the breed of dog they like, rather than all breeds.

What would prompt you to start training again or would you not start training again regardless? If the other club was closer I'd give it a go.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Cosmolo

What a brilliant thread.

I'm on a dog club committee - we get about 700 people join up every year but only about 100 if that rejoin - and it's mostly the same people. And of the newbies who just want a well behaved pet - a lot of them quit after not very long - because they're not getting what they want. But we've got no way to find out what they do want. And there are no follow up calls to ask. It's very very frustrating for people like me who want to improve things but meanwhile we're still doing boring yank and crank grades 1 through 5 and you can't start any of the fun stuff until you've passed grade 5...

I think boring repetitive classes are a big problem and not using the best training methods (based on current learning science) are also a big problem.

[ChristineX]

Combination of factors, for me. Firstly, I'm working thru several health problems, moved in with Mum while I get my house sorted and have to fit in with her routine - plus I am getting frustrated with the new trainer. She's a recent dog training graduate and I guess I don't like the 'vibe' i get from her - probably something I need to work on. Duke admittedly goes more for practice at being around other dogs, Kate goes because she has fun but at 11.5 years her legs are starting to get a bit shakey...

We will be back - it's enjoyable - just at the moment not working out.

[Dogsfevr]

I should add i think another issue is clubs that train there way or no way.

Whilst i appreciate the all new fashion training methods it doesn't mean it agrees with every dog & when people get feed up clubs don't look at other options that may work.

Yes some don't want chains used but many people grew up using them with no issues & find the new ways of training odd & some instructors go on like pork chops about training from the past when many in the class may have grown up using those methods with success.They stand there mad to feel like cruel owners if they don't use there method .

Clubs are there to train that person & dog after all they take there money .

For me a good club is one that has good beliefs but is open enough to realize some dogs need different methods or tools .

I remember a trainer going on how they had found the light with all these new methods & when asked about the past successes & what they meant couldn't truley explain why now & then where any different .

Now you have the clicker which is the new fad toy but many dogs trailled just as well in the past without it it all comes down to handler & dog clicking for the right method to that dog & that handler .

I now a few clients who have sort private lessons with trainers who have this approach of no methods suits all & the owners after struggling at training & keen enough to try & solve the issues swapping to a method that was so anti club but so perfect for them & have great members of the public .

[fuzzy82]

My poodle x goes to training weekly, but my JRT x hasn't been for ages, can't even remember the last time we went, but might have been late last year...

What was the reason why you stopped training your dog?

I didn't stop training them, we just stopped going to classes.

The reason we stopped was that I was doing the NDTF dog trainer course and I needed to train him for the scent detection and assistance dog assessments, and I was running late with them and decided to focus on them. Another reason was that the training classes were getting boring, as they weren't challenging enough for him. We were doing Motivation & Control, which is like advanced obedience geared at agility, but because of the NDTF course I didn't want to start agility with him, so we just stopped going to training.

Do you feel your dog is well trained enough?

They're well trained enough for around the house and on walks, but not well trained enough for obedience or agility.

Did you not get results from previous training attempts?

We never attended training for the training. I had the training under control and we were always way ahead of what they were doing in class. We only went for the socialisation and distractions, and for the structured training. I get a bit slack when I'm not working towards a goal.

Is training too far away/ too often/ too expensive?

It is a bit of a drive, and my JRT x doesn't travel well. And weekly is a bit often, unless it's basic obedience. Our DWD class with my poodle x is every 2 weeks, which is nice. Gives us lots of time to practise new tricks. Not too expensive, I've never attended a class that was more than $10 per session, most of them are $5 per session.

Are you simply too busy?

Yep, quite busy, which is why I like the fortnightly training.

Did you find training boring?

Basic obedience and Motivation & Control got boring after a while. I would like to see a drop in class where you pay per session and can attend whenever you feel like it rather than every week for a set amount of weeks, and it's advanced stuff, like advanced obedience or agility or something.

[RiverStar-Aura]

1) What was the reason why you stopped training your dog?

I have a few reasons why I stopped taking Zeus to obedience classes. First was that the classes started getting too big and the ratio of dogs/owners to instructors was not ideal; there ended up being about 20 dogs per instructor once we'd graduated to the intermediate level. I also found it very hard to hear what was being said as we had to stand in a line and the instructors always had a bad habit of only standing at one end -- if you were standing at the wrong end you couldn't hear a thing!

The sheer size of the class also intimidated me as I'm generally a quiet person who won't speak up if I'm having trouble -- especially when there are numerous "look how effing awesome my dog is" type people in the class hogging the attention of the instructors.

The final thing was time. I was offered permanent part-time at work, which sadly means I'm required to work 3 weekends a month and when classes are held on Saturdays, one class a month is hardly beneficial.

2) Do you feel your dog is well trained enough?

Zeus yes. His basic commands (sit, stay, come, drop, stand) are fantastic and he also has a HUGE trick repertoire: beg, roll over, shake hands, high-10, spin, round ( circle around me clockwise and sit in left heel), through (circle around me anticlockwise and sit between my legs), sad face (head down, looking up sad), bang/play dead, bow, dance (on hind legs), push it (to push an item over or closed (eg a door) with his nose or paw), where is it?/hide and seek, over (jump over things), up (jump onto things) and we're now working on leg/pole weaving.

He also wees and poos on command 'go pee pee' and he also does 'foot' when I ask for a paw to clip his dew claws.

Kirah is a different story and a very different dog. Zeus loves to learn and keep his mind active whereas Kirah just likes to be Kirah. She'll still learn as easily as Zeus, but I just have less time due to work to teach her like Zeus -- besides that, I've already got one show pony and that's plenty! She does know her basics (sit, stay, drop, stand) and her few tricks are roll over, shake hands, beg, bow and we're working on spin, bang/play dead, round, through and bang/play dead.

They do have issues though, which I'll answer further down.

3) Did you not get results from previous training attempts?

I got some fantastic results with both dogs at training and I especially learnt a lot for which I'm very glad I went!

4) Is training too far away/ too often/ too expensive?

I'm lucky enough to have many different dog training classes all within about 30 minutes of home. Trouble is, most are held on weekends (I work 3 weekends a month) or on nights I'm working (I get home from work around 7:30pm) so I can't really get to any unless I organise time off work, which I can't afford at the moment.

5) Are you simply too busy?

See above.

6) Did you find training boring?

No not at all! I found the training sessions very informative and opened my eyes to a lot of different training methods. Training kept both myself and my dogs focussed and I also found I had a better, closer bond with them after each session.

7) What would prompt you to start training again or would you not start training again regardless?

I'm determine to get back to training very soon. My dogs and I have always failed with loose leash walking and still don't have the hang of it. This is the one thing that's always been beyond my comprehension as a dog owner as I've never been able to stop my dogs from pulling. I can put them in halters, which only masks their pulling, not really fixing my problem.

They are also both highly reactive to other dogs on walks to the point where they bark, lunge and carry on like boofheads because they want to play instead of walk. I need to be trained on how to deal/fix this as it's also another thing I've failed at in regards to this type of obedience.

I'd also love to get Zeus into agility as he jumps like a gazelle/show jumper and is very graceful and light on his feet. Did try it at one club once but was 'shunned' for lack of a better word because my dogs sleep outside. I felt very bad after the class and never went back -- I felt like scum just because my dogs sleep outside.

Hope my answers are somewhat helpful!

Edited August 20, 2012 by RiverStar-Aura

[sandgrubber]

Reasons for not going to training

1) It's a long drive

2) I have yet to find a training group that didn't have some serious problem . . . too big so you can't hear what the instructor is saying . . . trainer who uses the check chain in a harsh manner . . . so slow and repetitive that I get bored out of my mind . . . problems with aggressive dogs.

3) the training that's most important to me, recall at distance under distraction (ie, being able to call the dogs off when they find an animal to chase or something really stinky to eat and or roll in), is rarely covered while things I'm not interested in (stylish heelwork) get lots of time.

4) I have a fenced 13 acre property and my dogs behaviour is fine for the environment they live in. They are biddible, and have picked up the things that matter to me without formal training.

5) for some in training the activity seems to be a social event for the people. I'm not very social.

[tdierikx]

I took Pickles, my disabled dog, to training a few weeks ago - and although I was extremely impressed with how she (and I) went, the classes are at 8am on a Sunday morning about a 40 minute drive away. The closer group training is held on Saturday afternoon, which clashes with my volunteering at a dog rescue. In all honesty, 8am on Sunday morning is a bit cold for this old body - but will probably get there more often when the weather gets warmer.

My older 2 dogs had enough training when they were younger to be nicely social when out in public and come back to me when called.

I have a preference for training with a check chain - and it's getting extremely difficult to find a group training where they don't ban check chains as being "cruel". Training Pickles is done with a harness and a soft collar, as she is prone to tripping and falling due to her disability - the new training group at least understood this fact and were happy enough to work within her limits...

Personally, I have dogs because they are dogs... not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, just trained enough not to be a menace in public really.

T.

[minxy]

What was the reason why you stopped training your dog? We stopped training when we found out that Kyojin had luxating patellas and then had to reduce his exercise and freedom greatly. We didn't think that continuing going to group training was going to be a good idea at that point.

Do you feel your dog is well trained enough? Yes, enough that he is very easy to live with. Certainly not as well trained as many people's dogs on here who have done extensive training, but he knows everything we need him to know. His recall isn't always bang on, but I'd never let him off lead in an open area regardless.

Did you not get results from previous training attempts? We got some great results. We didn't always agree with what we were told, so sometimes we came up with different ideas, but on the whole I think that the training we did was a really positive experience.

Is training too far away/ too often/ too expensive? Are you simply too busy? Did you find training boring? The club we went to was about 45 minutes away, so yea that was really far for us, and Mr M is a shift worker so it was really difficult to find a suitable class and then try and make arrangements to be there every week. We were at one of the most expensive clubs in the area, but it suited what we were trying to achieve when we first got Kyojin. If we were to return to training now we'd be going to an obedience club instead, which is only about 10 minutes away and about 1/20 of the price. I found training usually pretty interesting.

What would prompt you to start training again or would you not start training again regardless? I probably won't even though I really enjoyed it because I'm not really sure what else I want to achieve with Kyojin, and it's too difficult for us at the moment with shift work. It's possible though so I won't rule it out.

[WreckitWhippet]

I'd love to hear from those who have NOT taken their dog to training (group, private- some kind of organised training) in the last 3 months.

Haven't been to formal training in years. I did train and trial at one stage

What was the reason why you stopped training your dog?

The two I trained to trial have since passed away. I have moved and this area lacks quality trainers

Do you feel your dog is well trained enough?

I teach my dogs whatever daily commands I need to live happily with them and have them do as they are told. Yes I feel my dogsare well enoughed trained. The most important thing is that they all have "recall".

Did you not get results from previous training attempts?

Yes I got results, I was very happy with the previous trainers and their methods

Is training too far away/ too often/ too expensive? Are you simply too busy? Did you find training boring?

To find a decent trainer around here, I'd have to drive a couple of hours. There is one person locally, that I'd consider going to but he teaches during the week and I can't get there.

What would prompt you to start training again or would you not start training again regardless?

I would start training again if I could find a decent instructor, who can run a class so as not to bore the bum off the dogs in it. I find too many are nothing but going around in circles and doing the same thing over. It's hard to find a trainer and a class that is looking beyond simply teaching sit and drop.

Quite frankly I'm sick to death of all of the touchy feely "Delta" trainers and pretty much that's what is on offer here.

[espinay2]

I'd love to hear from those who have NOT taken their dog to training (group, private- some kind of organised training) in the last 3 months

I haven't taken my own dogs to classes for a while, though I do actually TEACH classes pretty much every week.

What was the reason why you stopped training your dog?

Some dogs have been to classes for various lengths of time (up to trialling in obedience and agility). When I lived in town I was more active in the clubs both taking dogs to training and instructing. The distance I now live from any classes makes it difficult to get to them (I actually offer classes through a local vet clinic 20 mins from where I live because there are none offered in our area and I want locals to be able to take their dogs to classes for at least the basics). I could go to classes on weekends, but as I show this can often clash. I do try and make sure young puppies get to at least puppy socialisation classes if I can. I do my training outside of any formal class structure for the most part though.

Do you feel your dog is well trained enough?

Yes. I ensure all my dogs are well socialised and well mannered.

Did you not get results from previous training attempts?

Yes, I got results. But at this point I don't really 'need' the structure of a class to train and socialise my dogs to an 'acceptable' level as I do this myself without the help of formal classes.

What would prompt you to start training again or would you not start training again regardless?

I have considered having a go at Rally with one of my dogs. I might attend a Rally class in future with him..

Edited August 21, 2012 by espinay2