Gezzz... Why?

[ghggp]

I am so sorry! Our 1st session of obedience there was a large pitbull in the class. Oh my goodness - talk reactive - the dog was given up to Animal Control; it was the Animal Control officer who adopted the dog for her daughter. Last summer, I was bit in the gut by our neighbors 'but he's such a sweet goofball' staffie - a dog I had babysat and walked since they got him so I was no stranger. The pitbull in obedience, you know she 'only needs socialization', literally just wanted to eat everyone. They had a wall for her to stand behind - you could hear her smelling people's scents. Creeped me out class 1 and 2, but class 3 we did recalls and the damn owner let the leash go! Thank heavens she ran from the daughter to the animal control officer, after the trainer refused to hold the leash because she went after the trainer. When she went at the AC officer, she actually latched on to her arm, not the treat offered, but did not break skin. Class #4, she was still in attendance but muzzled. I know I complained - I feel the 2 owners put us all in jeopardy dropping the leash. I firmly believe that dog will eventually harm someone; she is not in our class this time.

I would complain - reactive or shy - that trainer needs to address both issues. Yes, your dog might pick up on your vibe, but holy cow, what happened to POSITIVE stuff to encourage overcoming issues? The correct with the alarm should NOT be allowed in class; I am surprised if only your dog reacted, I know I would have!

Have you considered CBD oil only for a short time, only during class, only to get him into a comfort level at class?

OMG, I thought my situation was bad! It kinda makes me annoyed that she felt I was being overprotective. A dog that is clearly aggressive should not be in a Canine Good Citizens class... talk about an oxymoron!

Yes, I have tried CBD oil with no visible results. He is on Vetoquinol Zylkene Behavior Support Capsules Supplement, 75 mg. It has helped a little. He has been on it about a month.

 

[Calliesmom]

so glad to hear that you were able to switch to a different class. I know training centers need the money but honestly, private lessons would be more appropriate for a dog like that.......

 

[Piper's mom]

Great suggestions Ann and Sharon!
I'm glad you were able to reach a compromise Gloria, it's obviously a good training facility that wants to keep happy clients however I, like you disagree with her comment about your concern over Liam travelling down the leash. It's possible to a certain extent but with an aggressive dog in the class it'd make me nervous too, and that would definitely travel down the leash!
I'd definitely try out the nose work class (I've actually considered doing this with Piper) and Rally is loads of fun, less formal and so much fun for dogs! Finnie has blossomed so much with Rally...his first time in the ring will be in a month!

 

[ghggp]

so glad to hear that you were able to switch to a different class. I know training centers need the money but honestly, private lessons would be more appropriate for a dog like that.......

I wondered the same about a private class. Her comment was he needs exposure to other dogs to train him not to be aggressive! She spent most of the class helping that lady with her Doberman. Since there are two trainers in the class the other has the responsibility of working with the other 12!

Oddly enough, I have had this experience in other classes where an aggressive dog takes the bulk of the trainers time and focus.

My thought would be, have the trainer give private lessons using their own dog first. Let them work with other trainers dogs! Let them put their own dogs at risk first! Then, once the dog has shown an aptitude to tolerate other dogs and can control his outbursts, allow him into the next class with more dogs.

Maybe this lady is a friend of hers? She sat after class talking with her laughing and joking around with her. Certainly did not seem as if they were discussing the dog. The dog is a perfect specimen of a Doberman. Her is just gorgeous, huge with perfect ears and construction. Possibly she wanted to show him in confirmation but with his aggressive nature, there was no way that would happen.

I am at a loss to understand why aggressive dogs are tolerated. Just my 2 cents!

Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[ghggp]

Great suggestions Ann and Sharon!
I'm glad you were able to reach a compromise Gloria, it's obviously a good training facility that wants to keep happy clients however I, like you disagree with her comment about your concern over Liam travelling down the leash. It's possible to a certain extent but with an aggressive dog in the class it'd make me nervous too, and that would definitely travel down the leash!
I'd definitely try out the nose work class (I've actually considered doing this with Piper) and Rally is loads of fun, less formal and so much fun for dogs! Finnie has blossomed so much with Rally...his first time in the ring will be in a month!

Unfortunately, this facility does not offer nose work. I will investigate others in the area.

I just love obedience work and Liam is so smart. I feel as I am being forced to compromise just because I have a shy dog.

They do offer Rally. So, I might try that next. Having never been exposed to it. I really never considered it as an option. Maybe now is the time.

 

[Ann]

They do offer Rally. So, I might try that next. Having never been exposed to it. I really never considered it as an option. Maybe now is the time.

Gloria, Rally is a bit like a cross between Obedience and Agility, but calmer LOL. It's like Dressage for dogs. I think you'd really enjoy it! Liam would need to know basic commands such as sit, down and stay but you can teach those first at home if he doesn't already know them.

 

[Caro]

Wow, I would never allow 'punishment' devices in my class, and it's really inappropriate to use this with someone else's dog. I've had 12 in my class and it's too hard dealing with bad dogs, heck 12 dogs is a lot to deal with even when well behaved. Having an assistant focus on those needing more help can be limiting unless it's resolved quickly they get too far behind everyone else. I do allow scared dog and reactive (non-aggressive) dogs but only if I think will settle (and they work to the side).

Btw - telling someone it could be the owner's fault their dog is nervous, on the phone, is a bit rude. Different if you were in person and she picked something specific up, but that's just dumping blame on you! Glad you're getting a freebie out of it.

 

[ghggp]

Gloria, Rally is a bit like a cross between Obedience and Agility, but calmer LOL. It's like Dressage for dogs. I think you'd really enjoy it! Liam would need to know basic commands such as sit, down and stay but you can teach those first at home if he doesn't already know them.

He is GREAT at Sit, Down, and Stay!!!

 

[Calliesmom]

I wondered the same about a private class. Her comment was he needs exposure to other dogs to train him not to be aggressive! She spent most of the class helping that lady with her Doberman. Since there are two trainers in the class the other has the responsibility of working with the other 12!

Oddly enough, I have had this experience in other classes where an aggressive dog takes the bulk of the trainers time and focus.

My thought would be, have the trainer give private lessons using their own dog first. Let them work with other trainers dogs! Let them put their own dogs at risk first! Then, once the dog has shown an aptitude to tolerate other dogs and can control his outbursts, allow him into the next class with more dogs.

Maybe this lady is a friend of hers? She sat after class talking with her laughing and joking around with her. Certainly did not seem as if they were discussing the dog. The dog is a perfect specimen of a Doberman. Her is just gorgeous, huge with perfect ears and construction. Possibly she wanted to show him in confirmation but with his aggressive nature, there was no way that would happen.

I am at a loss to understand why aggressive dogs are tolerated. Just my 2 cents!

Thanks for letting me vent!

a trainer spending all their time with one owner/dog in a group setting means all the others are not getting their money's worth which is not fair to the rest of the class. I like your idea of the private lesson with the trainer's dogs to work with that dog.

most of the classes that I have had, the trainer does have their dog present to demo things and walk among the class.
When Jocu was in obedience class, her dog at the time was more reactive, so I was the one walking around the class with Jocu as he is very good with other dogs and doesn't give off any bad vibes. but there weren't any dogs like that in any of my big group classes. The closest we came was a beginning agility class where this lady had a GSD that was way too much dog for her. I had Destin and Cran at that class and had taken one of them back to the area where my stuff was to get more cookies. They were both hooked to the fence while I was refilling and I turned to see the dog coming at us- I stepped forward and raised my arms over my head and yelled at the dog- it stopped and owner was able to collect it. they weren't really ready for off leash work but I kept my eye on that dog whenever it was there. I have not seen them since so don't know if she ever got any control with the dog.

 

[Piper's mom]

I would say Rally is more of a loose form of obedience. In the ring your allowed to talk to your dog with praise or heel, sit down etc. I actually think of it as a great training tool for obedience because you can talk to your dog, it helps to keep the dog engaged and is so much fun for them. In the ring you still get penalized for things that'd get you in obedience such as out of position, barking, luring etc.
You could also go to the AKC site and print up some of the signs and work Liam at home on them (you could make yourself a course) and see how he does. I think he'd love it.