Tone of voice vs. yelling

[Calliesmom]

pretty sure I would not be going back there- even to finish out paid for classes.

I'd be checking out the other place and seeing if one of the instructors of the advanced classes would help you with the basics.....

 

[celloyogi]

pretty sure I would not be going back there- even to finish out paid for classes.

I'd be checking out the other place and seeing if one of the instructors of the advanced classes would help you with the basics.....

I'm planning on finishing out the class for the socialization for Olive, not the training methods (obviously!). We don't have much of a chance to interact with any dogs aside from the two who live on our street, and while class isn't supposed to be social hour, I think it's helpful for Olive to have a chance to be around other dogs. Aside from the dog who smashed me down in the field on the first day (yep, same class, and they came back the third week), the dogs are easy to be around.

I am observing a class at the new club in the next few weeks. I've heard some great things about the trainers from other owners, and I want to be able to talk to them myself, especially about how they incorporate differing training methods for each dog. I'll ask about help with basics - thanks for the idea as I hadn't thought of it.

Haven't decided yet about whether we're going to repeat a basic obedience course. Olive and I know the basics but she hasn't had the chance to gain confidence with those skills in a class-type setting. Going forward, I know she has the potential to be great (assuming I can live up to the challenge!) and I know she needs that confidence to get there.

 

[jomuir]

One of our two Shelties is extremely sensitive to being yelled at. Unless he's barking like a maniac at something outside, in that case yelling doesn't bother him at all
But to get him to behave or calm down, yelling shuts him right down. He becomes fearful & it negates all the good efforts I make. I would have a hard time following that advice too.

 

[Calliesmom]

I'm planning on finishing out the class for the socialization for Olive, not the training methods (obviously!). We don't have much of a chance to interact with any dogs aside from the two who live on our street, and while class isn't supposed to be social hour, I think it's helpful for Olive to have a chance to be around other dogs. Aside from the dog who smashed me down in the field on the first day (yep, same class, and they came back the third week), the dogs are easy to be around.

I am observing a class at the new club in the next few weeks. I've heard some great things about the trainers from other owners, and I want to be able to talk to them myself, especially about how they incorporate differing training methods for each dog. I'll ask about help with basics - thanks for the idea as I hadn't thought of it.

Haven't decided yet about whether we're going to repeat a basic obedience course. Olive and I know the basics but she hasn't had the chance to gain confidence with those skills in a class-type setting. Going forward, I know she has the potential to be great (assuming I can live up to the challenge!) and I know she needs that confidence to get there.

I understand the socialization aspect- Cranpup went to Petsmart puppy class for that reason alone. and sad to say, was probably better than your class. no more than 10 dogs- we only had about 5 that made the majority of classes. no yelling involved but treats and bonding were encouraged.......

really hope the other place works out for you

 

[2GoodDogs]

Yelling? Nope, I do not yell. I do, of course, on occassion let out a good yell, but it is usually directed to the occassional rude/dangerous driver!

I yelled at Bobby once, and it stopped him in his tracks... which was a good thing at the moment, but it is not a training method! Yikes!

i'lll save the yelling for 'threating to life and limb' situations.

good luck with your pup!

 

[celloyogi]

Yelling? Nope, I do not yell. I do, of course, on occassion let out a good yell, but it is usually directed to the occassional rude/dangerous driver!

I had to laugh... a few weeks ago when on our way back from a walk, a red sedan flew past us down our street. We live on a gravel road, so not only was the speed ridiculous, but we got a nice spray of gravel, too. Cars have spun out in front of our house, and a few times skidded across the lawn almost hitting the house. I have no tolerance for crazy drivers. I screamed "slow down, dumb a..." loud enough to echo across the neighborhood. Olive just sat down and stared at me with a "what is the matter with you?" expression.

 

[Silaria]

Dogs can't focus on the trainer when using treats? That's a new one on me. Edan has fantastic focus. He has earned multiple agility titles in different venues and is 1 leg short of his Rally Advanced title. He is very focused on me and what I ask him to do.

Honestly, I agree with the others, that is not a great class for you and Olive to be in; especially if you are trying to socialize Olive. I'd be concerned she'd associate being around other dogs with the yelling and negative experience of the class. You'd be better off scheduling time at a doggie day care for socializing. Another option is to look and see if some local shelters offer social time. I know one of our local no-kill shelter offers a Saturday morning puppy social coffee hour to help raise money for the shelter.

You don't need to yell at a dog... ANY dog... do get them to listen. Dogs have hearing many times better than ours and Sheltie's hearing is just amazing. I've had to tell new trainers to use a firmer voice (they insisted in talking to their dog in a cutesie baby-talk like voice) but never never never to yell at their dog. My club also encourages the use of whatever reward will motivate a dog -food, ball, tug, etc.

I'm really glad you are considering another location for classes.

 

[Chris]

Mine are very tone and sound sensitive. They even know that when I holler "QUIT BARKING, YOU LITTLE MORONS!!!" I don't really mean it.

 

[dblock]

I don't yell at Beau because I notice he completely shuts down, I will use a stern voice, but, even with that I have to be careful, he doesn't like it when I get upset, or yell because he hides

 

[Tagg]

I'm very much into making sure a dog is never pushed past their threshold. I find that with time and consistancy the dog's threshold moves so more pressure can be put on it. Yelling is unacceptable in a training environment. A dog that is well taught will work for a whisper. I vary my voice a lot, you never know who's coming to my house and how loud they might be so the dogs have to get used to the screamers and the baby talkers but I don't yell to be heard over a din and certainly not a command to a dog as sensitive as a sheltie or a Belgian. If anything, I'll lean down and talk softer. Personally this is not a place I would continue to take a dog to as the socialization is not even good. Tinsel hears me even though it would appear he is deaf in his right ear. Sure, if I have to get his attention when he is facing away from me I might whistle but once he is focused on me I can say a command softly, loudly or not at all and use hand signals and he, a puppymill dog with no socialization, has been taught exclusively with food and voice rewards.