The Dilema

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Hurtseverywhere

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OK So we went to our first so called advanced lesson, the problem none of the other dogs in the class have even trialed yet, which ment that the instructor
was really stepping back quite a bit to accomodate the other dogs in the class. He even made the comment that Cosmo & I Had progress far ahead of where he thought we were at. I got the distinct feeling during the class that Cosmo was really bored and where his early class performance was excellent
performance & speed wise which is what we have been working hard at that by the end of the class he was slowing down quite a bit and really didn't seem to be into it. However the instructor did start to teach some distance control exercises which is something that both Cosmo & I really need, that is one of the principle reasons that I haven't tried a gamblers event yet is that Cosmo really won't or doesn't like to work at a distance of probably more then a yard or 2 away from me right now, so from that point we were learning something. So when I left the class last night I was really in a quandry as to wether to continue the class and maybe actually put my dog back a bit in the process, I almost felt as though we were grade 8 students stuck in a grade 5 class at times last night, or wether to stick out the classes and see what we can learn even if it's seems as though he is a bit bored, and use our free weekend training time together on the weekends to try and continue to get his speed up and to work on the distance thing at the same time. I mean I think we can learn something from the classes just not anywhere near as much as I was hoping for at this time and I am actually a bit concerned about maybe retarding him some.

Any thoughts
 
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Hmm....that is a tough one.

I would say that, going backwards doesn't retard, but just better instills the basics. Even if you were in 8th grade, going to 5th grade wouldn't retard your development but would rather firm up those 5th grade skills.

I go back to basics all the time with my dogs. It teaches them skills that they carry on with them in the more advanced stuff. For example getting a hard touch (which for me is always difficult with the shelties) it never hurts to work on those basic skills.

I would say, stick with it. It will probably get better, and you will probably pick up some tips and/or firm up the skills you already have.
 
What may be happening is your dog may just be getting bored, or demotivated by the length of the class, or the amount of repetition. Often a softer, less motivated dog isn't going to hold up for a long class, or spending a lot of time repeating the same thing over and over again. I would bet when you've been training by yourself, you probably go right along with what you are doing in a time efficient manner, and probably aren't offering as many repetitions as you would often do in a class. I could be off, but really going back and solidifying the basics isn't a bad thing. It may just be the difference in how you've been doing things and how the class is doing things.
That said, is it at all possible to get private lessons from your more advanced trainer? Then you could work at the level you and your dog are at, and truly get the things you need out of your classes.
How are they doing things in class, and what sort of things are they doing?
I do get what you're saying. Since you've been making progress, you don't want to bore your dog or demotivate them. I wouldn't either... I have a high stress dog (one of mine) who you can't do a lot of repetition with as she will start to shut down. Private lessons have helped as she can do things that strictly motivate her, and help to increase her speed, drive, and desire to work.
 
Is this something you can discuss with the instructor? I definitely would give them a call. Maybe he can have you guys do different things that are more advanced. I know prior to my "friend" joining my class I started to pull ahead of everyone else when I started trialing, so my trainer started having me do "more" or "other" things to work on the skills I needed, rather than "go back" and do what we already knew.

Granted, going backwards is always good, to work on those things, but at the same time, if I'm paying for an "advanced" class, I want more out of it.

I would call the instructor, voice your concerns and discuss your options. If he feels he can't adjust a few things to make it more challenging for you, I'd seriously consider pulling out.

Prior to my friend joining our class, I was about to quit and either take private lessons, find another class (same facility), or find a different trainer. But since she joined, a few others dropped out. And this class has become a more advanced class. Even the one woman who does it for fun (it's "fun" time for her service dog), feels she's behind, but we just tell her we'll work with her and help her (she's the one that's "disabled" - we dislike that word, so its in quotes). We just have fun in the class. I'm glad the dynamics changed too.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.
 
Thanks For the input, I talked to the trainer last night & we are going to stick
with this class session, he has also set up an appointment on sunday with a local well respected agility trainer to talk about doing some one on one advanced work at a special rate, so that was an uexpected bonus.

P.S. I guess Retarded wasn't a very good choice of words, I guess I was more concerned about Cosmo getting bored & lazy, And thinking he rellly didn't have to work at it.
 
I am glad it seems to be working out for you. As long as you are meshing well with trainer and able to discuss your worries I think it well worth continue. Any trainer worth its money will take each dog/ handler team particular problems into considerations and help working on them. OTOH if YOU are bored... well there is no cure for that:lol:
my problems have cropped up on me somewhat unexpectedly which just shows that I do not work with good trainer, Che is getting frustrated with me for not giving him clear commands and I do not know what commands I am giving anyway:lol:
 
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