dog training? Please help!

[KeepServingTheFestiveSnogs]

Short Version:
Should we continue paying for/attending dog training classes when our 1 yr old dog is FINE at class, but atrocious outside it?

Long Version:
Our last dog (and our first as a couple, but we'd both grown up with dogs) was a rescue, who was GRATEFUL throughout the whole 9 years we had her. (she was always scared of being sent back, I think). Died of old age last year.

NEW dog. A fucking nightmare. Gorgeous and cute. (will attach photo if required).
But behaviour appalling. Destroys EVERYTHING. Has 4 walks a day (all timings approximate, but 8/12/3/7) AND let out between times, and still shits in the house (because she prefers to).

NO guilt.

NO symbiotic relationship... Last dog used to look at us ALL THE TIME if she had a problem to solve. This one doesn't. Last dog used to stick to us like glue if she was scared or unsure. This one just fucks off home.

We took the last one to dog training because she was rescue and a BIG dog (boxer cross). And I wanted to have the dog training in case anything ever went wrong, so we could say "we've had her trained, come look at our rosettes". It was never an issue.

THIS dog is teeny tiny, so she's not perceived as a threat in the same way the boxer was.

The big difference is that I took the last dog and this one for a while to training classes; but for the last 6 weeks I had a clash so DH did it. He doesn't drive (so had to class by bus/walking). My DH is lovely, but he's intricately lazy, so NOT KEEN on anything taking his arse away from sitting on the sofa doing fuck all.

He has stated he's NOT going to sign up for additional classes in january.

On the one hand, I get this... DDog isn't learning anything, although she's "good" in the class.
It IS a bugger for him to get there and back.
It's a cost we can afford, but we are quite tight, and DD is learnign to drive, so that money would be much better spent on her driving lessons.
DDog isn't as much risk of being PTS for being "dangerous" as the last one was.

BUT, I do feel at the bottom of this is DH being "I can't be arsed" about it. And whilst my "cute as a button" puppy isn't at risk from accusation of savaging like the old one was; I think NOT taking her to dog training doesn't help improving her.

What do you all think?

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

You say your DH is intrinsically lazy. Is he, or anyone else, taking the time to practice and reinforce what you've learned in class between classes? You need to spend a few minutes a day (2 x 5 mins per day would be perfect) practicing what you've learned with DDog. It will also help the bond, which will help create the symbiotic relationship you're looking for.

Are the things taught in class addressing the actual issues your dog has? Eg learning to sit and give a paw isn't going to solve recall; recall training won't solve destructive behaviour.

Has your dog been vet checked for physical issues that may be hindering toilet training? I know someone who spent years struggling with her dog's toilet training until congenital kidney issues were discovered.

When does your dog destroy items? Specifically, is it only when left alone or at other times too?

What do the 4 walks a day look like - how long is each, are they on or off lead, street or park? You may find that DDog would benefit from having two long walks than four shorter ones, if it means that more time is spent off lead or on a long line. An hour in the park off lead and playing with dog friends will tire DDog out far more than two hours on a lead walking around streets.

Do you do any enrichment activities with your dog eg kong, snuffle mat etc.?

You don't say what age you got your last DDog, but it's worth noting that most dogs are arseholes at this sort of age. It's adolescence, it does end, but it is hard work and requires a lot of patience to get there!

[Whyarealltheusernamestaken]

Give your dog up to someone who has the time and effort to care, call a shelter

[Whyarealltheusernamestaken]

And stop comparing it to your old dog, not fair

[Whyarealltheusernamestaken]

You previously took on an already trained rescue dog, happy days, you now have an untrained one and are impatient because this one isnt

[BiteyShark]

I think it is unfair to compare new dog with old dog. Of course they will be different and it sounds like your rescue dog was trained before you got them. You are also appointing human emotions such as grateful and guilt onto the dogs.

Your DH needs to understand that if you want a badly behaved dog then don't bother training them. Yes by all means stop the training classes if they aren't giving you what you need but you do need to train the new dog in some form. If your DH can't be bothered don't expect anything to change as dogs typically don't read training manuals. My dog isn't perfect but he is great in the areas 'I' have worked on and crap in areas I haven't. It's not my dogs fault it's mine. It sounds like you understand that I'm wanting the classes but does your DH?

If he doesn't want to go to the training classes how about some 1-1s with a trainer who comes to your home. It costs more but you need less because you get so much more out of them than any group lesson. Would your DH attend those if they are in his own home? Would he practice training outside of classes?

[adaline]

Sounds like your new dog is massively overstimulated and undertrained.

Puppies and adolescent dogs are hard work. They don't come to you knowing where to use the toilet or what correct behaviours are, you have to teach them and it can take years to have a well-trained dog.

Are you practising what you've learnt in class outside of class? Dogs need to learn in all environments, so in the home, in the garden, on the street, in shops, in public - everywhere. But they won't learn that until you teach them everywhere. So a walk shouldn't be clip a lead on and go, it needs to involve training too - recall, sits, stays, manners with other dogs and people etc.

And four walks a day is a lot - why does she go out so often? Twice a day is quite enough - there is no need to go out that often! She needs to learn to relax at home - teaching a dog to settle quietly is so important, but they won't learn that if they're constantly being taken outside.

And lastly don't compare her to your last dog - all dogs are different and your previous one was older and had been trained by someone else - this time you need to do all that hard work!

[LittleLongDog]

How long have you had your dog? What age is it? What breed is it?

All dogs are different. It’s going to be especially different to your last dog if it’s had a different background and is a different breed.

The key to training is to constantly repeat the action at home and while out and about. Are all your family involved in this?

[LittleLongDog]

Sorry, I’ve just re read and saw your dog is 1year. Your last dog would already have been toilet trained when you had her then?

[MissShapesMissStakes]

Instead of going to a class weekly is it possible for you to get a trainer to come to you for a one off session and see what’s actually happening in your home - how it’s set up, your routine etc? Then it’s more tailored to you and your dog, and what you want to get out of the training.

We did this when our dog was around 14 weeks. She stayed for two hours and was brilliant. We plan on getting her back in the new year to work on the next steps.

The cost of a two hour visit was the same as an 8 week block of classes which we would have struggled to get to at the time and day they were on anyway.

[Tinselpup]

Training classes alone will not train your dog - they give you the skills to train the dog in the outside environment

[MagicRoundabout1951]

Would it be so bad if you took a break from formal training for a few months? We were the worst in the class when dog was 7-9 months so took a break until dog was older. Then we found a dog club that did agility, scent work and other activities - this was fun and really helped us bond. My DH never came to training classes, just not interested, but that was his loss... The pooing inside could be down to a bad experience when pooing outside (pain from constipation, being startled, who knows). Maybe your vet could help. Destruction sounds like boredom or distress. I used to leave Radio 4 on and give mine frozen Kongs with peanut butter/banana inside.

[LittleLongDog]

How are you getting on @KeepServingTheFestiveSnogs ?