Schools days for Laddie soon

I have been thinking about you. Would it be possible to ask the trainers to convert you to private session? If you have 3 classes left maybe you could do 2 45-minute sessions or something? I know it is a long drive but maybe something could be arranged that would be more successful? I am sure they want to see you succeed in some manner but it sounds like either fear or excitment on the dog's part is getting in the way.

Perhaps you could start with what he can do already and then move forward from there in a quieter setting? Maybe you can obtain 1/2 or 3/4 of the skills, but still that is helpful over what you had pre-class.

I understand how frustrating it is. I had Shay in a class with several aggressive dogs and it upset him so much I pulled and went to a class with a better energy for him. I don't think the trainers should just say "go to a behaviorist". They should give some advice or help you make modifications to allow the dog to have better success.

Maybe group classes are just not for him.
 
I have been thinking about you. Would it be possible to ask the trainers to convert you to private session? If you have 3 classes left maybe you could do 2 45-minute sessions or something? I know it is a long drive but maybe something could be arranged that would be more successful? I am sure they want to see you succeed in some manner but it sounds like either fear or excitment on the dog's part is getting in the way.

Perhaps you could start with what he can do already and then move forward from there in a quieter setting? Maybe you can obtain 1/2 or 3/4 of the skills, but still that is helpful over what you had pre-class.

I understand how frustrating it is. I had Shay in a class with several aggressive dogs and it upset him so much I pulled and went to a class with a better energy for him. I don't think the trainers should just say "go to a behaviorist". They should give some advice or help you make modifications to allow the dog to have better success.

Maybe group classes are just not for him.
Good idea, but, this group is group ONLY. The trainers would not want to do private, in fact, they promote the social setting. I am seriously thinking of pulling out now. To add to all my problems, I think I broke my tailbone, I can not sit, lie down, or walk without being in pain, the docs say there is nothing to do but let nature take its course. It hurts to walk so much, I now can not even work with Laddie as I should. It is a depressing mess.:no:

I can't say that the dogs in our group are aggressive, but wow, the second group of beginners has some nasty ones, they are scary, I am glad they are not with us.

Anyway, I need to do some serious thinking and praying on this. I am miserable, he seems to be too hyper, and now, with this pain, it seems like the straw that broke the camels back. Gee.:cry:
 
Gosh, Susie...I'm so sorry to hear that you are injured. Hopefully you are able to continue with Laddie's classes...but if not, when you are better, you can continue on your own with him. I hope you are feeling better soon.
 
Thank you Susan. I tell you, it seems like when it rains, it pours. Not being able to do our weekly "homework" is not good, Laddie needs the reinforcement, but, I simply can not do it, I will see how I feel next Tuesday, that is class night, but, if I feel like I do now, I will have to withdraw and start again in February, that is if I start again, we shall see how he does with training at home with what we have learned.
 
He barks in or out when either one of us leave, or, for that matter, anyone leaves. I leave him his favorite toy, favorite treat, and it does not matter, he ignores them and cries away. He still prefers everyone else to me. Gosh, he will even cry if a stranger leaves, and in the classes, he gravitates to others, it is embarrassing. :gaah
He sounds like a typical sheltie here. Ruutu would rather pay attention to anyone but me when we're out and about.

Honey gets upset when someone comes in or out of a door. She barks, jumps etc on them.

Don't get too upset over it.

I do agree that Caro it sounds like he has anxiety issues.
 
I have been making it a point to notice all that Laddie does these last few days. It seems that no matter where we are, if there is a group of folk, he will NOT obey me, pulls like a sled dog, and I am chopped liver, LOL. It is awful. There are always a lot of tourists around the little shopping area, and I actually hate to walk there, when I do, kids jump at him, folks want to pet, and he is just a mad man. I found another route to walk on holidays, etc., otherwise, I just won't go out anymore with him. :no:

We have a huge school yard behind our home, yesterday, when there were no kids in it, I took Laddie over as it is very similar to the dog training park. Well, that was a mistake, he instantly put his nose to the ground, and completely ignored me and any commands, etc. I gave. I even throw his favorite ball, he would not chase it, and when he did, he would not bring it back. I mean, it is like he has NEVER had training at all. I really think he has an attentive difficulty, it is most upsetting.:no:

He is a sweet dog, and I do love him, but, truly, I feel he has some issues, I need to talk to a vet I guess about what to do.
 
How old is Laddie? I think they go through a period similar to the teen years where they forget commands and need lots of patience and repetition.

Talking to the vet is a good idea. Let us know what he suggests.
 
How old is Laddie? I think they go through a period similar to the teen years where they forget commands and need lots of patience and repetition.

Talking to the vet is a good idea. Let us know what he suggests.
He just turned 11 months. I plan on calling the vet this week .
 
Will Laddie take treats from you when this is happening? I would take very high value treats and stand far enough away from the commotion to get his attention. Reward him for any attention at first--just looking at you.

It sounds like that type of situation is just too overwhelming for him now. So I would avoid being in the thick of it until you have more control over him when there are just a few people around.

I would also not want to walk him places where people/kids don't leave him alone. If he is uncomfortable or unruly in those situations than you shouldn't put him in those situations until he is more confident and in control.

I don't believe he necessarily has attention difficulty, he is just a young male dog that should be set up for success.
 
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