AKC S.T.A.R. Program

I'm rather shy around people I don't know, also. Heck, I've only started to loosen up and talk people in my agility club within the past few months. There is one sure fire conversation you can have with folks until you get comfortable... talk about the dogs! People who love their dogs love to talk about them so ask folks about them. Don't worry about not being as experienced just admit you are just starting out but that's why you are there - to learn and do what's best for Smudge. :yes:

The other thing to remember is you are going to be a puppy class so the "big dogs" won't be as big as their full grown selves. This may actually help you be a little less nervous around the big dogs. I fully understand why they make you nervous and I don't blame you but part of YOUR training will be learning to control that so it doesn't go down the leash to Smudge and make HIM nervous around them; which can potentially lead to bad situations.

Take your instructor aside and mention your fear of the larger dogs and maybe he/she can help you as well as Smudge. She'll also understand why you may put yourself on a different side of the room from the larger pups.
 
That is so true Sileria, talking dogs is the best coversation starter. Besides, everyone will be so excited with all those puppy stages that I bet you will be talking toilet schedules and feeding regimes with the other participants in no time. I lived in my neighbourhood 3 years before getting my dogs and only knew my neighbour (I am an introvert too). within 6 months of getting my dogs I was known in my neighbourhood and I now know heaps of people and get involved in community issues and lobbying. You just cant help but meet people when you have a cute dog, people will want to meet you. When I went to puppy class with Tully it was mainly bigger pups but all the humans wanted to play with the tiny sheepdog.
 
Right now the only thing I'm waiting on is for them to post the regristration form on their website so I can mail it in with a copy of Smudge's shot records and the payment. I live in Arkansas, but I live about 45 minutes to an hour away from the Texas line. Texarkana is a city that is half in the state of Texas and half in the state of Arkansas! The kennel club is on the Texas side. I've got a month to try and figure out where it is at. :uhoh: Time to borrow dad's GPS system!

http://www.kennelclubtexarkana.org/

Big dogs are another reason I wanted to go, because I'm hoping that maybe it will help me get over my fear some. If I'm going to take Smudge out I have to get over it, because lots of people have big dogs. I'm not afraid of all big dogs, but I am afraid of lots of them. It's just that with a smaller dog I'm under the impression that maybe I could defend myself better if I were attacked. It's easier to get a 5 lb. dog off as opposed to a 50 lb. dog! I was never afraid of any dogs until about 3 years ago. I know most big dogs aren't bad, but it's mostly large dogs that bad people breed for the wrong reasons like dog fights and guard dogs that can lead dogs to being too aggressive to handle.

I did ask Smudge if he would behave if I took him, and he wagged his tail. I'm thinking it was probably because he thought I was going to feed him. :rolleyes2::biggrin2:
 
Oh you will love it! My 4 1\2 month old pup loved it! She got time to socialize with the others of she was interested. The 1st week she would do absolutely NOTHING! but the second week she did an awesome job. We finished up puppy kindergarten in early July and just took a 3 week focus class on recall and loose leash walking! The people were great! The instructor put up little baracades between us becasue there was a NOISY dog and he jsut got everyone barking. But with the baracades he was quiet!

I agree with the others! YOU WILL ENJOY IT AND SO WILL SMUDGE AFTER HE GETS USED TO IT!

I too am looking into the STAR PROGRAM. My instructor is a Canine Good Citizen certifier so I am working towards that as well! Good luck let us know how it goes!
 
As everyone said, it's a great class. I think you'll love it. Sophie and I took this course and I think it helped a lot. It's a great precursor for the CGC.
I think being around big dogs in that type of setting, with a trainer around, will help allay some of yours. Slowly and gradually, you and Smudge may get more accustomed to large dogs. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
 
I'm also hoping that maybe I can find some people who know if there are any agility places in my area that I haven't found. An hour and a half is a bit too much of a drive for me, but maybe somebody will know of a place that is closer. Also maybe a good groomer as well. My uncle takes his pom to the groomer at the vet, but he has his dog shaved. :uhoh: I think I'll let the groomer do the bath and such, but I will do the trimming.

On the Kennel Club website I have found what I think to be a good sheltie breeder! I am still mostly sure I want to adopt from a shelter, but it's nice to have options open.

So this chain of events may help me in more ways than one! :biggrin2:
 
The people at the kennel club lied about their location. They call themselves the Texarkana kennel club, but they are in Atlanta, TX! There's no way I can drive all the way from my house! :cry: So Smudge will not be going to classes. I am completely bummed. :mad: Why call yourself the Kennel club of Texarkana if you are not in Texarkana?!
 
Smudge said:
The people at the kennel club lied about their location. They call themselves the Texarkana kennel club, but they are in Atlanta, TX! There's no way I can drive all the way from my house! :cry: So Smudge will not be going to classes. I am completely bummed. :mad: Why call yourself the Kennel club of Texarkana if you are not in Texarkana?!
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You can always try videos!!
 
Smudge said:
The people at the kennel club lied about their location. They call themselves the Texarkana kennel club, but they are in Atlanta, TX! There's no way I can drive all the way from my house! :cry: So Smudge will not be going to classes. I am completely bummed. :mad: Why call yourself the Kennel club of Texarkana if you are not in Texarkana?!
Click to expand...

That is so disappointing! I'm sure you will find something near you soon. Keep up the search!
 
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