My pup is 6 months. We've done basic puppy training with her at home until now. She's doing well with food manners, sit, recall, toilet training, crate at night - all secure.
We are first time dog owners so we thought we had better put her through the good citizen training scheme too. I'd like to do up to gold as it's important to us to have a well trained dog and then move on to agility as I think she would enjoy it.
First session at training today at a local club I found via Kennel Club.
Within about ten minutes I felt like I wanted to leave.
As we arrived, through throngs of dogs leaving from the previous class, one of the trainers walked past me and commented 'what's that?' 'what's that coming into class'. Not sure if this was a joke, but it wasn't very welcoming. No hello, or welcome. I admit my dog does look pretty daft as she has an extremely shaggy coat and prances like a race horse when she's excited.
It was busy, over ten dogs in the class despite the website saying 8 or under.
We had been told sessions started today although others seemed to have been there a while. We seemed to be the only new ones and it seemed we were unexpected and our arrival threw them, despite having registered online and had an email exchange to confirm booking.
We then missed the start of the class as they had recorded our details wrong via email and wanted to do all of that first so we were hauled out to do that.
Then we were immediately finger pointed (literally finger pointed) to be taken for focused work at the back of the hall. I don't know why.
I was then given quite a sharp lecture because my dog had the 'wrong type of harness'. Apparently she should be wearing one with a front ring. Maybe she should, I didn't know, we bought what was recommended in our very reputable pet shop, but didn't appreciate the manner.
I was then lectured again ever more harshly because she didn't have her collar and tag on and the woman barked at that I was breaking the law without giving me a chance to talk. I had removed it when we got out of the car, as my dog had been car sick and then laid on it. I only had time to clean her up, not her collar and tag. And actually I didn't know I was breaking the law by having taken it off temporarily to go into a private building.
At that point I became tearful. This was probably not necessary but it's been a difficult few months (not dog related) and this on top of that meant I didn't feel particularly resilient.
We did learn a few useful techniques for not jumping up, lead walking without pulling, lying down. All in the ten minutes focused work at the back of the hall.
When we eventually rejoined the group there was only 10 minutes left and no further teaching took place. The trainer just went round to everyone asking if their dogs allowed them to handle and inspect them. Mine does.
I left a bit baffled to be honest. We live rurally so there aren't many trainers. If there were I would probably switch.
Should I persevere?
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The doghouse
Please tell me dog school will get better :(
41 replies
OrangeSamphire · 27/10/2018 19:46
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