Absolutely dejected!

I will say that going to a group obedience class really helped Beckon's fear aggression. He's much less reactive!
 
I know they do go through a fear period stage, but boy that storm didn't help matters for you! My last real puppy was Asta, and she also hid behind my legs during puppy classes. This breed is so sensitive and some individuals even more so than others. Asta definitely blossomed along the way though and became very much a Zen dog - not too much bothered her. Just very grounded. I still miss her so much.

Liam will definitely get there, try to be calm and centered when he's freaking out, so he takes his cue from you!
 
I would keep going as long as Liam isn't shutting down and terrified. A little worry is okay--it's a good way to teach him that it's okay to be worried, but you're there and you won't allow anything to happen to him.

Is there a way that you can stand farther away or stay in the main area that may not be as noisy or scary? Even if you aren't participating in the class, per se, it will help to acclimatize. I would also not worry too much about asking for behaviors if he's reluctant. Just feed--and hot dogs as someone mentioned are a great stress reducer! You won't reinforce his fear by feeding him, so just food = good.

Like Finnie, Elise is scared of kids. I've been taking her to the park and standing as far away as I can where she isn't too stressed, but close enough that she can see them. And I just feed her!
 
I actually think it sounds like he did amazingly well. Next class just let him stand back and take things in for a little before class starts. Our Shelties like to watch and consider things before jumping in, unlike gundog breeds that race in and are all over the place with no focus. First classes are never about learning anything, but just letting the dogs getting familiarised with the surroundings.
 
Thanks all for the directions to help Liam in his next class!! I will most certainly go earlier to just let him sit and observe! It does make sense to me now...
It is true, shelties are great observers. I remember my first ever obedience class I had with my first sheltie over 20 years ago...

I kept patting her saying 'it's Okay' over and over again. The trainer came up to me and said, what are you doing? I was explaining that I wanted to help to comfort her.
He explained it was having the opposite effect! As they say, live and learn!
 
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