The Spotted Devil Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 A very interesting thread... Apart from a couple of puppy socialisation classes I've completely avoided obedience clubs thus far. The main reason is that I've had several trainers with working type dogs (e.g. Border Collies) roll their eyes and just dismiss the idea of me training a Dally to competition level. So I am very selective and careful with how my pup is treated and trained....I have an excellent show trainer but will work on much of the obedience on my own....of course we will have to join a club to get some ring experience and practice agility as it's a while since I've competed but I plan to have the last say in how and what my boy does. BTW - absolutely no offense to working dog owners - I love those dogs and my last girl was a wonderful ACD who taught me so much. Chase those seagulls at Rainbow Bridge Dolly girl - one of a kind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 How often do you see a dog doing great work with little reward then when the instructor says exercise finised thaty all sart praising like crazy yet the work at that time was crap Ain't that the truth! Absolutely, I make sure my dog listens to me, not the instructor by doing what I want to do, when heeling I keeping walking when they say halt, or doing a stand when they ask for a drop etc. I reward my dog when I feel it deserves it, even if I have to do something other than what the instructor is asking for to do so. Similarly if my dog hasnt done something correctly, I will persevere with it & make the dog do it again until it gets it right so I can reward it, regardless of whether the instructor has told the class to go onto another exercise or heel off again etc. If you were to do that at the only club that I have access to, not only would you get pulled up about it on the field, but there'd be no end of bitching about it at committee meetings. Everyone in the class must be doing exactly the same thing at the same time in strict regimental fashion....kind of leads to the prob that WMR mentioned above. I was doing ring run out practice with a young dog that I was trying to extend the focus period with I asked 2 different instructors if they'd call 'exercise complete' after each pace i.e. normal, slow, fast. Was just one of the things I was working with to try keep/build her attitude and focus. They both argued against it because that's not the way its done in a trial. Isn't it customary to break a task down for a dog to help it understand/set it up for success? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 The main reason is that I've had several trainers with working type dogs (e.g. Border Collies) roll their eyes and just dismiss the idea of me training a Dally to competition level. I can identify with that too SD The first Novice Sweepstakes that I fronted up to I got there really early cuz I was nervous and wanted plenty of time to settle both me and my girl. Some of the host club members turned up soon after to set up the canteen. They had a loud speaker system that they didn't realise they had left turned on, and they were talking about the entries for the night....'and we've got a silly ridgeback entered' Didn't do much for my confidence levels on the night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsD Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Absolutely, I make sure my dog listens to me, not the instructor by doing what I want to do, when heeling I keeping walking when they say halt, or doing a stand when they ask for a drop etc. I reward my dog when I feel it deserves it, even if I have to do something other than what the instructor is asking for to do so. Similarly if my dog hasnt done something correctly, I will persevere with it & make the dog do it again until it gets it right so I can reward it, regardless of whether the instructor has told the class to go onto another exercise or heel off again etc. If you were to do that at the only club that I have access to, not only would you get pulled up about it on the field, but there'd be no end of bitching about it at committee meetings. Everyone in the class must be doing exactly the same thing at the same time in strict regimental fashion....kind of leads to the prob that WMR mentioned above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted May 3, 2007 Author Share Posted May 3, 2007 Just to clarify, we are not new to the club and we had already run the dog through a drum without the cloth a number of times with no problems- we broke it down into as many steps as possible. No wonder people stop going to clubs to train their dogs.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 In fairness to the instructor I can see that perhaps they are not happy about not being able to assess her stress levels whilst in the chute. It's a bit hard to see how a dog is reacting if they are blocked at the entrance. I can remember you have talked about pushing her through the stress a bit and she comes out the other side just fine- you know your dog and that's cool- but the instructor doesn't and that may be why they are advising against forcing her through it. Anyways....can you not set it up at home? Get her proficient with the feeling of a sheet on top of her, and then with her running through and controlling the exercise herself. Mel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopuppy04 Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 (edited) always me making the final decision. I'm very lucky though as the class that i'm in with Kinta - they know I instruct (kinda obvious since I have to wear the red instructors shirt ) but they are also willing for me to do everything pretty much on my own. I don't interfere with their class though by doing this. In the trialling class - they offer 'suggestions' on how to improve Leo's performance and most times i'll try it and like the result better . But if I don't like it, I won't do it and try something else.... LOL. ETA: cosmo - is your dog toy mad? could you throw a toy into the tunnel to try and entice them in??? Edited May 3, 2007 by leopuppy04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted May 3, 2007 Author Share Posted May 3, 2007 I'd hardly call it forcing her through it- but having an instructor at the opening as opposed to an owner would only stress her more. Surely we're in a good position to assess the dogs stress levels? The other instructor vouched for the dogs response/ learning and response to what we were doing and its not as though they don't know this dog, her issues and us. We have set things up as best we can at home (with the feeling of a sheet etc) and there's no problem there. LP, she has only just started playing with a toy with us so she'll play gentle tug but looks at us like we're stupid if we throw it! She's not like Cosmo at this stage but considering she wouldn't play with toys at all when we got her, let alone take one we were holding- she's come a long way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopuppy04 Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 LP, she has only just started playing with a toy with us so she'll play gentle tug but looks at us like we're stupid if we throw it! She's not like Cosmo at this stage but considering she wouldn't play with toys at all when we got her, let alone take one we were holding- she's come a long way. No probs - i'm sure you had thought of it before, but I thought i'd ask anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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