MissyGallant
Forums Enthusiast
We've been doing very well in puppy class. Rocket and Charli were actually starting to sniff each other and work around each other. Rocket even allowed the trainer to walk him around the store without us! And Charli was very good for Rocket because as soon as he tried to get away from her, she just left him alone and let him take the lead on approaching her. And he DID!
So last night, we show up. Charli isn't there. And a different trainer and some other dog ARE! Our trainer has been ill with strep, so we weren't sure if it was cancelled or what? This other trainer says, "She isn't with the company anymore. And I'm teaching level 2 class here right now. I guess if you want, you can join."
So we went in and the only dog in level 2 is this shitzu. Totally out of control wild child. The trainer had us take everyone off leash. The wild child is just going at Rocket's face. He's hiding behind our legs. The trainer tells us to move "I don't want him to be able to hide behind you guys." Well, this lasts the longest few minutes of my life. The trainer is saying, "See how good this is." Rocket is running around with his tail between his legs, ear down, cowering. Wild child is barking and chasing him, trying to get to his face. I stood up and said, "Nope this isn't working. We're leaving. No offense, but this isn't good for him. This isn't the positive experience he needs at this point. And she's paid for level 2, we aren't there yet. We didn't pay for level 2, we're still at level 1." The trainer said she'd call after the class.
We ran into Charli and her humans on the way out. Rocket ran straight to her and her kids. We explained what happened. And by mutual decision, both families decided that IF we can stay together for the class, and IF it doesn't change times, we will finish the course. They understand Rocket's issues and they want to help us with them. And Charli and her kids do that. Her girl works with Rocket and so does her boy. And they are all gentle enough that we think it's a good thing. (Personally, I think her girl needs to grow up to work with dogs professionally.)
So, classes resume next week with Charli and Charli ONLY. And we might even get an extra class out of it because of all of the inconsistency we've endured. Fourth week of classes, but we've only had 2 classes! I'm also a bit upset because the first trainer seems to get the whole, "this is a fearful dog" thing more.
So last night, we show up. Charli isn't there. And a different trainer and some other dog ARE! Our trainer has been ill with strep, so we weren't sure if it was cancelled or what? This other trainer says, "She isn't with the company anymore. And I'm teaching level 2 class here right now. I guess if you want, you can join."
So we went in and the only dog in level 2 is this shitzu. Totally out of control wild child. The trainer had us take everyone off leash. The wild child is just going at Rocket's face. He's hiding behind our legs. The trainer tells us to move "I don't want him to be able to hide behind you guys." Well, this lasts the longest few minutes of my life. The trainer is saying, "See how good this is." Rocket is running around with his tail between his legs, ear down, cowering. Wild child is barking and chasing him, trying to get to his face. I stood up and said, "Nope this isn't working. We're leaving. No offense, but this isn't good for him. This isn't the positive experience he needs at this point. And she's paid for level 2, we aren't there yet. We didn't pay for level 2, we're still at level 1." The trainer said she'd call after the class.
We ran into Charli and her humans on the way out. Rocket ran straight to her and her kids. We explained what happened. And by mutual decision, both families decided that IF we can stay together for the class, and IF it doesn't change times, we will finish the course. They understand Rocket's issues and they want to help us with them. And Charli and her kids do that. Her girl works with Rocket and so does her boy. And they are all gentle enough that we think it's a good thing. (Personally, I think her girl needs to grow up to work with dogs professionally.)
So, classes resume next week with Charli and Charli ONLY. And we might even get an extra class out of it because of all of the inconsistency we've endured. Fourth week of classes, but we've only had 2 classes! I'm also a bit upset because the first trainer seems to get the whole, "this is a fearful dog" thing more.
When you pay for a class you expect to get consistent INTELLIGENT training. That place does not sound like a good way to spend your money, period. When Asta was in puppy classes we had quite a variety of dogs, labs, a Newfie (he was gentle though) poodle, terriers. She used to hide behind my legs too when the big dogs got rambunctious, but our trainer would have free play with the dogs separated by size. Asta did get more confident because she wasn't being mauled by the other dogs.