Ruffles Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Loki's fairly attentive at obedience and I always have my eye on him. He either sits at my side or on my feet he is NEVER allowed to just wander at the end of the lead. Why cant others extend the same courtesy!? Our first day of obedience this little dog, I think its a Cavalier tried to attack Loki who was just lying down not even looking at it because its owner lets it walk behind her and doesnt watch what its doing. I didnt say anything, but you could back it in if Loki did it he'd be muzzled. For obvious reasons they require all the dogs to be at least 1 metre away from each other when training, when we were lining up to do some weaving this same lady with the Cavvy and another with a Chi just let their dogs do whatever. I'm trying to stand their with Loki and I look down and the Cav is between my legs and the chi is sitting next to me!! Loki finds this very distracting as do I. I also find it rude. Would it be rude of me to tell them to stay away from me?? Loki is not aggressive or anything but when you're trying to sit quietly and there is another dog jumping on him it makes life a little difficult. I dont want to p*ss anyone off but is what I'm asking reasonable? Does/did anyone have the same issue? What should I do :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagsalot Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Maybe just mention to them in a polite way that their dog is distracting your dog and would they mind keeping it on a shorter leash so it doesnt come over near your dog. I dont think its unreasonable to ask that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greytmate Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 You owe it to your dog to request nicely that these people keep their dog away from yours. If the people get pissed off about you asking, that is their problem and not yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidoney Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 I agree. You need to do what is right for your dog. Also, the instructor should not allow dogs to move around in an uncontrolled way like that. I think it would be worth mentioning to the instructor, that they are distracting other dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 What the others have said! It's worth mentioning it to your instructor too. Yes, you do have to do whatever you can to protect your dog from interference, so that you and he can learn and enjoy learning. And the other owners need to learn (preferably from the instructor - but if not, then from you) that they need to pay attention to where their dogs are and what they are doing, and not let their dogs get in another dog's space without asking the owner first. We teach that in Puppy 101 and we keep on teaching it. (I should add that I feel very strongly about this, having had a Border Collie with a large personal space for dogs he didn't know!) Barb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffles Posted March 7, 2006 Author Share Posted March 7, 2006 Thanks guys, I'm really shy which is my biggest problem but it really grates on my nerves and by the end of the session I'm wound up and frustrated which I'm sure Loki feeds off. I'll ask them nicely next time, and maybe say something to the instructors just so they can reinforce the "keep your distance" thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazz Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 I agree with whats been said, I'd definately say something. It really gets to me these double standards - a small dog being uncontrolled is ok (by their owners and some others) but a larger dog doing the same thing would be frowned upon. Every dog needs to be under control not just those with longer legs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 I'd be quietly voicing my concerns to the instructor - any 'corrections' will be better received it he/she makes them. It shouldn't be up to you to police the behaviour of other class members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 what poodlefan said that way you don't upset anyone and you don't want to because your new best friend could be at the handlers end of the leash, could be someone who is just overwhelmed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Yeah I'd talk to the instructor And hopefully they will mention it when they see it happening Our instrcutors are pretty good if the dogs are messing around, they will tell the owner not to let them A few times I've moved to the end of the line in class when Eddie has been really distracted too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J... Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Great topic Ruffles because I'm having the same issues - and as I've just started with this club I don't want to offend anyone BUT its driving me nuts!! I'm trying so hard to get my pup into good manners and habits but she also gets distracted... I wish a few more people knew about the puppy 101 rule of "space and permission" Tassie - I reckon its just courtesy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baileyb Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 I totally agree with what has been said but there is one thing that I would like to mention. If you a dealing with puppies/new dogs in class, you may well be dealing with new handlers as well. They may not know "dog etiquette" and unless they are educated by other owners and instructors they and their dogs may never learn. Politely mention to the handlers but you really need to get your instructor to reinforce this in each class. As for offending other people, they will have to "get over it" because they will be the ones that will never learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purpley Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 I would talk to the instructor aswell. Bronson sometimes tries to be the distraction, but I always move away as it isn't fair on other peoples dogs. Bronson also has to learn that he can't play all the time. You are doing them a favour by pointing it out to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J... Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Thinking about the issue a little more - I think part of the problem is how seriously people take it and what they want from the obedience - some seem to treat it solely as a social occasion for them and their dog and don't seem to mind much that their dog is a ratbag (and thats fine providing it doesn't interfere with anyone elses goals!) Others are there to learn (and socialise) but take it quite seriously. I do take obedience training seriously because I have a lot to learn and I want my dog to be the best she can be... I travel 1.5 hours to do the classes.... I could have my dog misbehave herself in my own backyard for a lot less time & effort! Ironically I've found that the puppy group are better with their dogs in some cases than the adult dogs There's some great advice here and I think I will definitely take it on for our classes this week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KismetKat Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Yes have a quiet word to the instructor. I have a smilar(ish) problem - but up higher up in the classes and have a dog in my class who often lunges at other dogs. It's not a matter that the dog is not corrected, it is! But as the lunges are SO frequent I wonder why the dog has got so far as it has. Yes maybe the dog can do the requisite sit/stays, drops, heel nicely, whatever - but as it constantly lunges at other dogs... I used to try and make sure I was training well away from this dog, but now we are doing weaving... Should the dog have not been promoted as it has been? Or is this a thing that is good practice for MY dog to learn to ignore? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Yes, I opt out of weaving through dogs and similar really close up exercises, as it's too overwhelming and confronting for my rather anxious boy. I just quietly say to the instructor - "Do you mind if I don't do this one". No problems for that. As he's got to know the dogs in his class better, he is able to cope with a little mor of the close up stuff, but I try to keep within his comfort zone. Barb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldoop Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Yes I agree, at my obedience club we are asked to clean up our doggy poo, which I fully agree with (nothing worse than stepping in doggy do do) and I have one young girl in my class that every week watches her dog poo and just walks away and NEVER cleans up after her, and I alway want to say something to her but worry she might get nasty and make it hard to do training each week, then I think to tell the instructor but feel I'm being a dober?? so I keep my mouth shut and my head down... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Yes I agree, at my obedience club we are asked to clean up our doggy poo, which I fully agree with (nothing worse than stepping in doggy do do) and I have one young girl in my class that every week watches her dog poo and just walks away and NEVER cleans up after her, and I alway want to say something to her but worry she might get nasty and make it hard to do training each week, then I think to tell the instructor but feel I'm being a dober?? so I keep my mouth shut and my head down... offer her a bag next time you see her dog do poo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruffles Posted March 7, 2006 Author Share Posted March 7, 2006 I alway want to say something to her but worry she might get nasty and make it hard to do training each week, then I think to tell the instructor but feel I'm being a dober?? so I keep my mouth shut and my head down... Thats exactly how I feel!!! Thanks so much for everyones advice, at least I'm not the only one who goes through this. I think I will put my foot down next sunday because I just want to train Loki without having to worry if I'm standing on another dog. Obedience is a very serious thing for me as when Loki is older he will weigh only 10kgs less that I and have the power to pull a car so he has to be well behaved or I wont be able to walk him or anything, it really frightens me that I wont be able to interact with my dog because others wouldnt respect our space. I know thats sounds a bit melodramatic but its how I feel. I've also never done obedience before so I am trying to learn and teach Loki at the same time! I know distraction is a part of it but I will be talking to our instructor. Thanks again guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 (edited) Ruffles & Kitty - I don't think you would be "dobbing" if you speak to the instructor. Just tell the instructor that you are having difficulty with this person, that you would prefer to avoid confrontation. If this occurs with me, I make a general announcement to the class to remind them to respect each others space etc. etc. I keep an eye out on the 'offender' and if I see a 're-offence' remind him/her of what she's doing. Given that I've just announced this to the whole class, it's then not so much singling any one person out. Edited March 8, 2006 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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